WHAT IS PMO: ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, TYPES & BENEFITS

What is PMO: Roles, Responsibilities, Types & Benefits

What is PMO: Roles, Responsibilities, Types & Benefits

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Project Management Office (PMO) Definition


A project management office (PMO) refers to a group, department, or entity within the organization responsible for providing management reports, establishing guidelines, and a governance framework.

The primary role of a PMO is to establish and maintain project management standards, processes, and best practices, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently. Further, they also ensure optimal utilization of resources and help businesses achieve strategic objectives.

Types of PMO


Modern PMO is divided into different types based on organizational structure and function.

The typical Project Management Office structure is as follows:

  • Project Management Office


A Project Management Office is focused on supporting project managers and their teams in successfully delivering individual projects. It provides guidance, best practices, templates, and tools to ensure consistency and efficiency in project management practices.

  • Program Management Office


A Program Management Office is responsible for overseeing a group of related projects that are aligned with a specific program or objective. It focuses on managing interdependencies among projects, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that projects achieve organizational goals without setbacks.

  • Portfolio Management Office


The Portfolio Management Office oversees the entire portfolio of collective projects and programs across the organization. It manages the allocation of resources, prioritizes projects based on strategic objectives, and monitors performance across the various programs.

In terms of function, PMO can be classified into four main types.

  • Enterprise-level PMO


An enterprise-level PMO is responsible for aligning project management tasks with the organization’s overall strategy and goals. It oversees all program and project management responsibilities across the organization and ensures that projects and programs align with its overall strategy.

  • Supportive PMO


Such type of PMO supports and guides project managers as and when required. It focuses on creating a framework of processes, governance, training modules, and mentoring programs that help project managers in daily operations. Usually, a supportive PMO functions as a consultative entity.

  • Controlling PMO


A controlling PMO focuses on enforcing project management processes and standards across the organization. It reviews and approves project plans, monitors project progress, and identifies potential risks and issues. The controlling PMO also ensures that projects align with the organizational objectives.

  • Directive PMO


This type of PMO positions itself as a decision-making authority with a higher degree of control over projects. A directive PMO operations includes assigning project managers, providing resources and support to managers, and controlling the project budget and schedule.

Now that we are aware what is a PMO and its types, let’s delve into its various roles and responsibilities.

 

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