Understanding the PMO Journey

Are you looking for a career in PMO. Based on my insights, penned down the PMO journey.

Project Management itself is not industry specific. The goal or prime objective of project management is to achieve the delivery of the product/service in terms of scope, cost, schedule & quality.

PMO is evolving from these 3 Types
From being Supportive -> Controlling -> Directive.

PMO is sandwiched between four important categories as shown below.

Strategic PMO:
- Business vision
- Investment & Benefit Management
- Promoting Org’s Value
- Client Engagement
- People Management
- Tools- Technology
Functional PMO:
- Standards
- Communication Management
- Delivery Management
Operational PMO:
- Continuous improvement
- Value added services
Governance PMO:
- Change Control
- Process
- Framework
- Resources
- Phase Gates reviews
- Audits

PMO Functions, PMO categories — PMO Functions

Difference Functions of PMO — PMO Functions

The PMO Journey – A Conventional way:

Let’s see the conventional way into PMO Journey. The below grid shows that typically by having experience in managing various kinds of projects and programs with knowledge on the technical know-how of the product, one can land in the PMO Leadership role.

The PMO Journey – A Non-conventional way

If you want to become PMO in non conventional way – even with less prior experience in managing the program, still you can grow as a PMO leader with your business & operations skills.

Provided as along as you understand Project Phases, Hold Business Acumen, Being Creative, Adaptable, Tech-Savvy with People Skills.

Find the right mix of people who will complement you in terms of skills, ideas, cultures while Setting up a PMO. You will eventually get the hands-on experience in managing programs/driving the initiatives on the triple constraints of the project (Scope, Cost & Schedule).

Below is the high level classification of the key activities performed in each PMO role for better understanding and it may vary to individual organization.

The PMO Journey – A Non-conventional way. How to become a PMO. — How to become a PMO – PMO Journey

Major Challenges faced in the PMO Journey:

The first and biggest obstacle to implementing and being successful in the PMO journey is the resistance within the organization. It is important that the PMO is linked & tied up strategically to the organization.

The challenges faced by a PMO can be categorized as elaborated below:

•Organizational challenges faced by PMO:

Organizational resistance to change
Scope creep (particularly to delivery)
Project Teams using inconsistent processes
Organization with multiple or inconsistent tools

•Role challenges faced by PMO:

•Image challenges faced by PMO:

PMO processes are sees as overhead.
PMO often perceived as anyone can do the job
PMO add additional operational costs.

Establishing a Successful PMO Journey

For being successful in PMO, you need to have the balance of all the below:

Awareness – Awareness of the technical know how of the product/service being delivered in the domain or the industry you are working along with latest project management methodology, tools & technology with business mindset.
Urgency – Adaptability & Flexibility while addressing the business and stakeholder requirements.
Attitude – Being Empathetic, Detail Oriented, Decisive, Taking ownership, along with goal mindset.

Successful PMO - For being successful in PMO — For being successful in PMO

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