General Project Office Services

General Services

These General Services are the most basic, and most valuable PMO activities.

1. Report Status

2. Implement Methodology

3. Promote Standards

4. Improve Processes

5. Standardize Tools

6. Support Software

7. Administer Databases

8. Maintain Knowledge Base

9. Update Plans

Every PMO will perform all of these services. A new PMO should deploy them within the first year of operations.

Report Status. The PMO reports project, program, and portfolio status to executives and stakeholders.

Implement Methodology. The PMO implements a project management methodology throughout the organization.

Promote Standards. The PMO promotes the standards it has chosen for the organization.

Improve Processes. The PMO improves project management, communications, and other processes to improve project performance.

Standardize Tools. The PMO provides standard templates and tools and trains staff to use them.

Support Software. The PMO deploys and maintains software for and related to project management.

Administer databases. The PMO populates and maintains  databases of project management information.

Maintain Knowledge Base. The PMO populates and maintains the project management knowledge base.

Update plans. The PMO updates project plans, or validates plans updated by the manager of the project, then makes this information available to executives and other stakeholders.

Supportive Services

Supportive Services help ensure project success and reduce costs. A PMO can offer the six supportive services:

1. Train Staff

2. Mentor Staff

3. Support Staff

4. Administer Staff

5. Support Projects

6. Manage Accounts

A PMO selects which of these services to offer and schedules their deployment when it defines its role and creates the execution plan:

Train Staff. The PMO first identifies training needs, then develops a training program and provides training for project managers and team members. A more advanced PMO may also train other project stakeholders.

Mentor Staff. The PMO develops and operates a program where experienced and expert project managers mentor other project managers in a one-on-one coaching format.

Support Staff. The PMO supports staff development by first defining a career path and then assisting staff in growing along that path. The PMO can also provide conflict resolution services.

Administer Staff. A PMO can manage routine human resource functions, such as staff leave, pay, and benefits.

Support Projects. PMOs often provide specific support in aspects of project management activities critical to success, such as project planning and risk management. They can also reduce cost by providing centralized support for staff, secretarial, and administrative functions.

Manage Accounts. PMOs may manage the budgets and fund allocations for projects.