A project management office (PMO) is an organizational body or entity which helps to control the overall project management and to maintain the project management systems. It supports all projects and provides project manager with tools, standards and guidelines.
1. DIFFERENT TYPES
In literature as well as in praxis many different types and classifications for PMO organizations can be found. The different types vary in the degree of control and influence they have on projects. The following section describes the basic types of PMOs:
Supportive PMO
The main responsibilities of a supportive PMO are to provide templates and technical support, offer trainings and give access to information on other projects and best cases on demand. The degree of control is low. Therefore, this type of PMO works well in organizations where additional control of projects is not necessary.
Controlling PMO
This type of PMO offers a company-wide framework, which can be modified on the used methodologies and forms. The degree of control is moderate as the controlling PMO has some control over activities and processes of the projects.
Directive PMO
This type of PMO goes beyond control. A directive PMO provides the project management with necessary resources, support and assign experienced project managers to projects. Those project managers have to write periodic reports for the office which results in a high level of consistency of practice across all projects. This type of PMO usually works well in larger organizations.
Another common classification for PMO types which is done by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is shortly listed in the following:
Departmental PMO
Project-specific PMO
Project supportive PMO
Strategic PMO
Center of Excellence
2. MAIN TASKS
In general, the tasks and responsibilities of a PMO differs from company to company. However, the following paragraphs summarize most common domains of work of a PMO:
Project Management Standards, Methodologies and Templates
The PMO provides the project teams with several guidelines and standards. Usually, the PMO is also responsible for introducing standardized project management software and tools.
Administration and Support
The PMO also supports the project leaders and team members when it comes to administrative tasks. This can be for example the moderation of workshops and meetings as well as the collection or documentation of project status reports for the executive management. This is especially very common within smaller companies which do not have assigned project assistances to each project.
Strategic Planning and Portfolio Management
The strategic PMO carries out the project selection and prioritization based on business goals, environmental scanning and opportunity analysis.
Performance Management
The PMO reports performance by identifying and measuring KPIs, etc.
Project/Program Delivery Management
The PMO can be also responsible for defining business goals and execute resource/schedule/cost/scope/risk/stakeholder management.
Knowledge Management and Training
The PMO also coaches and trains project teams on project management topics, offer special trainings needed for certifications, execute lessons learned, define knowledge management policies and so on.
Sources accessed on the 29th April 2018:
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