As investors, we would all like to effortlessly beat the markets, buying and selling investments based on brilliant timing, instinct and a little luck. But most of us realize it’s not that easy. Nonetheless, it’s no surprise that so much media attention is focused on day-to-day and short-term market gyrations (the exciting stuff) and so little on the investment process–the more staid aspect of investing. While it may seem less exciting, the investment process is the workhorse behind any sustainable investment strategy. That’s because the investment process provides an orderly way to create and maintain a portfolio aligned with specific goals and objectives while seeking to manage investment risk.