Project Management Office (PMO)

Types and Functions of PMO

The most common reason a company starts PMO is to establish and maintain procedures and standards for the right project management methodologies and to manage resources assigned to the projects. After understanding the project management office definition, let us review its types. There are three types of Project Management Office functions in an organization, each varying in the degree of control and influence they have on projects within the organization. They are discussed below:

1. Supportive

It provides a consultative role to projects by supplying templates, best practices, training, access to information and lessons learned from other projects. It serves as a project repository. The degree of control provided is low.

2. Controlling

It provides support and requires compliance through various means. Compliance may involve adopting the project management frameworks or methodologies, using specific templates, forms, and tools, or conformance to governance. And it is based on the project management principles. The degree of control provided is moderate.

3. Directive

It takes control of the projects by directly managing projects. The degree of control provided by the directive project management office is high.

Role and Structure of a Project Management Office

The projects supported or administered may not be related other than by being managed together. The specific form, function, and structure of a project management office depend upon the needs of the organization it supports. It may have the authority to act as an integral stakeholder and a key decision-maker throughout each project’s life, make recommendations, terminate projects, or take other actions, as required, to remain aligned with the business objectives. In addition, the it may be involved in selecting, managing, and deploying shared or dedicated project time management and resources.

How PMO Supports Project Managers, Program Managers, and Project Portfolio Managers

They support project management, program management, and project portfolio management in a variety of ways, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing shared resources across all projects within the office;
• Identifying and developing project management methodology, best practices, and standards;
• Coaching, mentoring, training, and oversight;
• Monitoring compliance with project management standards, policies, procedures, and templates by means of project audits;
• Developing and managing project policies, procedures, templates, and other shared documentation (organizational process assets); and
• Coordinating communication across projects.

PMO VS Project Manager

While both play crucial roles in project execution, their functions and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are Effective and Ineffective PMOs?

Let us look at the strengths and weaknesses of both the Effective and Ineffective:

Key Roles & Responsibilities of a PMO

Their key roles and responsibilities are as under:

1. Strategic Planning,
2. Governance,
3. Resource Allocation,
4. Training and Mentoring,
5. Performance Tracking and Reporting,
6. Risk Management, and,
7. Project Quality Assurance.

Advance Your Project Management Career

• Diploma in project management provides advanced knowledge and skills, required to manage projects, programs and project portfolios.
• For those seeking a more higher managerial positions, an MBA in project management is a preferred choice for them.
• AIMS’ project management certification course or PMP training affirms professional’s competence in managing projects.