The #1 success factor for any work intake (demand management) process is to say NO to projects that do not belong in the portfolio. This is also the hardest aspect of Intake because most leadership teams say “Yes” to too many projects and overload the portfolio. This is why the Intake/demand management process is so important. Leadership teams that can say no to project requests can help control the flow of work, protect resource capacity, and ensure that the right things are done at the right time.