Project Office Issues

Project Office Issues

Until each of these issues is addressed, measurement is not possible. It is counter-productive to try to make measurements before there is agreement on definitions. Presenting measurements to those who don't accept the PMO's definitions just looks like self-justification by the PMO, and leads to continuing conflict.

Therefore, the PMO must define what a project is, and what success is, before measuring project success. Only when the methodology and life-cycle are in place and being applied to all projects does the PMO have a clearly defined environment in which measurement becomes possible. Once all projects are being planned according to the methodology and life cycle and actual results are being tracked, then it is possible to begin defining measures.

But, before defining measures, it is probably best to agree on the obvious major problems, and resolve them. The results may not be measurable, but, if they are obvious, they build the PMO's credibility. At that point, the PMO can present its definitions of success and beneficial results, and begin measurement.