Project-focused, team-based activities increasingly dominate the way organizations are addressing the challenges of today’s changing business environment. The number of projects in many organizations is increasing and project performance is viewed as strategic to the success of the business. However many businesses maintain an ad-hoc approach to project management that relies on individual initiative, rather than building on past experience and best practice. This not only results in lack of visibility on project status and an inability to forecast their outcome, but it also fails to optimize the corporate potential.
Applying Process and Knowledge Consistently Across the Organization
The Project Management Office (PMO) represents the corporate center of excellence for project management and is an essential element in establishing a project culture and optimal project and resource collaboration. The specific role of the PMO can vary according to your organization and requirements, but can include some or all of the following:
- Administrative and operational support to projects
- Maintenance of project management standards
- Project consulting and mentoring
- Project management training across the organization
- Project managers and project staff
- Portfolio management including capacity planning and risk analysis
It is important to clearly define the scope and structure of your Project Management Office. In addition, to continue providing value to the organization, constantly check to make sure it aligns with company objectives in a changing business environment. Particularly in challenging economic times, the PMO can come under pressure if it has not aligned itself with a rapidly changing organization and is not perceived to be delivering business benefits.
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