The Controlling Services of a Project Office

Controlling Services

A PMO can perform the following controlling services:

1. Implement Governance

2. Perform Assessments

3. Perform Reviews

4. Perform Audits

Implement Governance. A PMO first defines the governance rules that describe the authority and responsibility of the project manager and each project stakeholder.

Perform Assessments. The PMO performs assessments of the status of project management controls, methodology, and tools.

Perform Reviews. The PMO routinely reviews project performance at the end of each phase before approving the beginning of the next phase. The PMO also performs a post-implementation review at the end of each project.

Perform Audits. A PMO will perform special reviews or audits under circumstances which warrant closer investigation. For an explanation of the difference between a special review and an audit, click here.

Directive Services

Some PMOs require that all project managers report directly to the PMO, and others use project management staff for special projects. Examples of special projects include high profile projects, those which are high risk, or those which cut across divisional or departmental boundaries. Standard and special projects are each managed by a project manager using a tool such as MPMM. The PMO directs all these activities and centralizes project services.

The seven directive services are:

1. Recruit Staff.

2. Assign Staff.

3. Manage Staff.

4. Manage Suppliers.

5. Manage Equipment

6. Manage Customers.

7. Manage Special Projects.

Recruit Staff. The PMO recruits staff and acquires consulting services to meet the need for project managers and project teams.

Assign Staff. The PMO assigns staff to projects.

Manage Staff. The PMO manages staff and contractor performance.

Manage Suppliers. The PMO manages suppliers and vendors and oversees procurement.

Manage Equipment. The PMO manages equipment, materials, and facilities for projects.

Manage Customers. The PMO manages customer relationships and customer contracts.  

Manage Special Projects. The PMO manages troubled, cross-division, high-profile, and high-risk projects.

A directive PMO has the responsibility and authority to hire and manage project managers to run projects, so recruiting and other human resource functions are included. The PMO should coordinate these services with the HR department to avoid duplication or conflict.

The directive services can also be applied to manage internal staff, suppliers, and equipment, whether or not the PMO has internal staff that work directly on projects.