3.4 Project Management Office (PMO)

A project management office (PMO) is an organizational structure that standardizes the project-related governance processes and facilitates the sharing of resources, methodologies, tools, and techniques. The responsibilities of a PMO can range from providing project management support functions to the direct management of one or more projects.^[1]

Many large and even medium-sized organizations have created a department to oversee and support projects throughout the organization. This is an attempt to reduce the high number of failed projects. These offices are usually called PMOs. The PMO may be the home of all the project managers in an organization, or it may simply be a resource for all project managers who report to their line areas. PMBOK Guide 6th Edition categorizes PMOs as supportive, controlling, and directive. Supportive PMOs provide a consultative role, while controlling PMOs provide support and require compliance through various means. Directive PMOs have full-time project managers who participate in the projects and manage directly by taking full control of the projects.

1. Supportive PMO
   • Supportive PMOs provide consultative support to project managers and teams as needed. They offer templates, best practices, access to information, and training. Their control level is low, and they operate more as a resource center than as a governing body.
2. Controlling PMO
   • Controlling PMOs enforce compliance with organizational project management standards, methodologies, and frameworks through various means. In addition to supportive services, they may require project managers to adhere to specific methodologies, use standardized templates and tools, and undergo compliance reviews. Their control level is moderate, and they ensure projects align with organizational standards through oversight and compliance mechanisms.
3. Directive PMO 
   • Directive PMOs take on a direct management role in projects by exercising control over project execution. Beyond providing support and ensuring compliance, they directly manage projects by assigning project managers and taking responsibility for the success of projects. Their control level is high, and they act as the command central for project management within the organization.

In general, PMOs help ensure that projects align with organizational objectives, provide templates and procedures for project managers to use, provide training and mentorship, facilitate, stay abreast of the latest trends in project management, and serve as a repository for project reports and lessons learned.