AtekPC PMO

What is the purpose and mission of a PMO?  The mission statement defines achievable and measurable objectives and identifies the responsibilities, and hence services, of the PMO.

The purpose and mission of a PMO at AtekPC is to standardize project management internally. This would focus on defining and enforcing processes that can improve consistency and quality. Streamlined processes increase efficiency and allow you to standardize and compare data. Tools and resources are utilized in an effective manner that produces successful outcomes for strategic priorities.

What are the main challenges and obstacles in implementing a PMO?  The governance model establishes the domain of control, its organizational level of accountability, and its authority.

Proving PMO value is a challenge for AtekPC. Metrics should be implemented to track PMO performance. It may not be possible to track immediately but as PMO matures and grows the metrics will provide and prove its value. Currently, the PMO’s mission and role are not clear and therefore there is resistance to implementation. Misconceptions as to the primary role of this function are being misconstrued.  Its authority, responsibility and purpose need to be clearly identified. This will increase traction with the project teams and eventually change the current company culture, which can embrace this new standardized process and foresee the value.

What structural and governance mechanisms are critical to effective PMO implementation?  The structural model determines its degree of centralization, staff allocations, and level of direct project management.

Strong sponsorship from senior management must be established at the highest level of the organization. Centralization must be established and AtekPC must identify which services are priority for implementing PMO. There should be a project criteria set up and then an overall approach to implementing PMO. Projects that require more/less support should have staff and resources allocated accordingly.

How much PM is enough PM?  How much PMO support is enough PMO support?  The cultural impact of the PMO on the organization is assessed by the receptivity to PM and the amount of organizational flux.

Organizational culture needs to be taken into account when developing the implementation plan. Incremental changes can take place as a criterion is developed for different levels of project plans. It’s important to understand there are different stakeholders along the project and planning phases and their level or responsibility and intellect needs to be valued.  Factoring in their responsibilities will help you decide what level of support is needed.