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April 1, 2022

6 Keys to PMO Methodology Implementation

April 1, 2022

In the simplest terms, a Project Management Office’s purpose is to ensure tasks are completed. Beyond that, the goal is usually to achieve those tasks within a specific timeframe and budget, both of which can often be defined as tight. Just as frequently, those tasks can be described as essential. Achieving optimal productivity under pressurized conditions cannot be accomplished unless your PMO addresses certain critical details.

6 Keys to PMO Methodology Implementation

1. Establish a Defined Selection Process

Any successful project management office is careful when selecting projects to be undertaken. Acceptable projects must fall within certain criteria, such as financial viability and profitability, alignment with the organization’s strategy, adaptability in the event of future shifts in strategy or technology, the relative risk factor for success, scalability, and the legal and ethical implications (does the project comply with local, national, and/or international regulations?).

2. Identify the Project’s Objective(s)

From the outset, establish measurable objectives for the project in question. Define how those objectives will be measured. Identify key performance indicators which can monitor progress or reveal any bottlenecks or other obstacles hindering success.

3. Define the Function and Scope of the Project Management Office

A project management team can function in three fundamental manners. It can act in a supportive role as advisors or consultants, as a controlling agent by, for instance, establishing protocols and mandating compliance, or by assuming direct control and management of the projects. Those boundaries should be clarified from the outset to ensure full support from sponsors and stakeholders.

In addition, other questions should be addressed. To whom will the team report? Will train project managers throughout the organization? Will it interact in other ways with various departments or be siloed? While subject to change, the project management office’s scope should always be transparent and clearly defined.

4. Be Certain the Project Management Team Has the Full Support of Its Sponsor

No project will succeed unless the executive or senior management responsible for the project is fully supportive of their methods and efforts. If there is a lack of trust or consistency between the two, the project will fail.

5. Engage Stakeholders

A successful project cannot be achieved by building exclusively from the top down. The project management team should engage stakeholders, the people who will utilize or benefit from a given project. Consult them. Listen to their input. Be certain the project aligns with their needs. After all, their function is to grow the business, as well.

6. Always Be Open to Improvement

Downtime, differing standards in various departments, poor communication and documentation, as well as other inefficiencies are the bane of any successful business. While standardization, scalability, and agility are all desired qualities, they cannot be achieved if a project team, or the organization as a whole, are not open to new techniques, tools, and methods.

No manager or team can organize or execute a project without both a passion for problem-solving and the experience of past successes. Consistency and inspiration must work hand in hand. To get your critical project on the track to green, consult Project Genetics today.