The PMO: Form and Function

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The PMO: Form and Function
Andrew Makar, PMP (May 17, 2007)

When developing or restructuring a project management office, there are several PMO types to consider, each with various levels of scope and influence based on their defined functions. In a new series, here’s a look at how PMOs can play key roles in areas ranging from governance and performance management, to risk and communication.

This is the first article in a new series on project management offices.

The project management office (PMO) often emerges as a construct to manage the project portfolio as a company’s project management maturity increases. The PMO may sit at different levels in the organization and provide a variety of functions to a program, organization, or an enterprise. Before organizations implement a PMO, they should understand the different types of PMOs available and the functions they support.

PMOs can be found at different levels of an organization including enterprisewide, organization-level or program-level PMOs. The enterprise level PMO has a strategic focus and its scope encompasses across all the projects in the corporate portfolio. Depending on the governance requirements, all projects may report into the enterprise PMO, or only select programs or projects may report directly to the enterprise PMO.

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