Setting Up A PMO

Chris Mackenzie

What is a PMO?A PMO is a project or program management office

The PMO is instrumental in helping solve project related issues through centralization, process efficiency and best practices

Goals of a PMOSeparate the right project work from the ‘wrong’ project work

Enable a higher level of project management (Best Practices)

Focus on specific project issues before they magnify

Report project status consistently and effectivelyReview project progress on an ongoing basis to ensure on-time, on-budget completionsProvide project management tools to facilitate improved project performance

PMO ComponentsPlanning

Mentoring

Training

Tools

Process

Reporting

Communication

PlanningBuilding an annual or bi-annual list of projects that meet the strategic goals of the company

Ensuring the right resources are placed on the right projects

Identifying and handling project dependencies at the macro level

MentoringIdentifying senior project managers and partnering them with inexperienced project managers to build up skills and abilitiesEnabling best practices throughout the organizationGaining consistency in project management

TrainingImproving the skills of project managers through classes and instruction

Allowing project managers to learn new techniques and tools

Promoting the practice of project management

ToolsIdentifying and selecting the best project management tools sets in the industry

Making the art of project management more efficient throughout the organizations

Selecting the right tools to promote process improvement

ProcessImplementing project management, software development and software/systems support methodologiesGaining consistency throughout the organizationStreamlining the development and support of systems and products

ReportingProviding status on where projects stand to manage expectations

Identifying issues to address proactively and in a timely fashion

Giving people the information they need to make decisions

CommunicationManaging expectations with regard to projects

Getting the company on the same page with regard to the project work set, status, needs and deliverables

Creating a more effective organization