What a project management office is and what it does
In every organization of any level, it is important to properly control the process of work. Project development needs control and support at every stage. The Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for this. There are several types of such offices, and it is important for the company management to decide on the most appropriate one.
First of all, it is necessary to explain what a project management office is. In short, it is a department in a company or organization that defines and maintains standards and processes related to project management. That is, it is a group of people who set the rules of PM control in the company and monitor their implementation. It is worth noting that the main function of the PMO is to control all the company’s projects, not just one of them.
The difference between the types of PMOs lies in the degree of control and influence they have.
Types of PMO
The first type is the supporting office. The main function of the office is to support the specialists. This support is provided in the form of advice and recommendations. First of all, the employees of the supporting office share their experience and professional knowledge. It is reasonable to create such an office in organizations where projects are implemented according to a flexible methodology, in a free form, and the processes themselves do not require serious control.
The second type is the controlling office. It is necessary for companies where the importance of strict control over the processes is high. The functions of the office are to provide specific methodologies, forms, rules of project implementation, and control over their mandatory use and implementation. Project offices also often carry out inspections of controlling offices, which may pose a risk to the successful implementation of projects. It is characterized by more serious control over the execution of tasks. Specialists conside it as the best type of project management office.
Professional managers are behind the successful execution of tasks. Every project management office manager must prove his or her competence in practice. However, before assuming the position, the professional undergoes a special examination called PMO certification. This process determines whether the candidate’s morals, experience, professional knowledge and skills meet the established requirements for a PM professional. Later, this certificate serves as proof of his or her qualification and competence.
Certified professionals have a number of advantages. There are international recognition, high demand in the market, the possibility of rapid development and career growth, as well as an increase in professional rating and cost of services.
