PMO Project Ofice Service Types

PMO Service Types

The PMO manager and sponsor must agree on a basic approach to PMO execution. This, in turn, determines the selection of services the PMO will offer. For example, the most common approach is for a PMO to organize its service offerings in this order:

1.      Offer basic and supportive services first. This directly improves project communication to reduce risk, and improves project management to improve delivery of project results on time and within budget.

2.      Add controlling services. These are essential to ensure that problems, once solved, don't return. They are also needed to guide the PMO in identifying new problems that need to be addressed.

3.      Use directive services as needed. For example, the PMO may take over management of projects that are determined to be at risk of failure.

Note that this is only one approach. A different organization might decide that a directive approach is the best way to start. This topic is fully discussed in PMO Types in the learning section.

The PMO sponsor and PMO manager will discuss the current problems in project management and resources available within the organization, and decide on an approach. They then document the approach in the Approach to Execution section of the PMO Charter.

Additional sections can be added to this area within the PMO Charter. For example, if it is already clear that the most efficient way to select tools is to purchase them whenever possible, or, on the other hand, to extend the use of internal tools from one division to the whole organization, that can be noted also.