In the previous article, I wrote about what the PMO Value Ring Certified Practitioner credential was and also gave you guys a sneak peek at the methodology itself. In this article, we will talk about what this methodology is and how it is different from the traditional methods to set-up or run PMOs
Why existing PMO Methodologies are not “Sufficient”?
Even though most organisations have set up PMOs, they are mostly using them to perform only rudimentary functions that either to provide project management processes or report project statuses or both. In some cases, the PMO provides functions that their PMO Director or Manager sees’ fit to support the organization. In either case, the executive level managements understanding of “What” the PMO can contribute to the organization and its initiatives is either unclear or non-existent. They merely view the PMO as an administrative function.
This is probably the single biggest reason for PMO’s to lose support quickly and run out of the priority list for executive management. In this day and age with cost pressure being at never before levels, organisations are searching out for ways to maximise the value out of their investments and cut redundant or non-value adding functions.
When a PMO (regardless of how well they perform) doesn’t meet stakeholder expectations, they may soon be shut-down to make way for other functions that the organization perceives as “Value Adding”.
What is PMO Value Ring Methodology?
The Value Ring methodology is a stakeholder centric methodology where the PMO Managers and/or Directors will work closely with their key stakeholders (esp Sponsors) to ensure that the PMO is perceived as a value generating entity in the company to avoid the problem that was just explained a few sentences back.
By closely aligning the PMO with stakeholder expectations, the PMO Director or Manager creates more visibility and the Management team members look-up to the PMO team to deliver results and drive organization initiatives rather than just do admin tasks.
What makes PMO Value Ring Methodology Valuable?
The collective intelligence of hundreds of industry leaders in the PMO space has been collated, analysed, researched and the summary outcome of that project is the Value Ring Methodology.
Usually organisations would benchmark themselves against industry leaders and try to emulate what they are doing in order to be successful. This all sounds good on paper however the success of a PMO is not-just in emulating what other successful PMOs are doing, it is also dependent on organization factors, PM Maturity etc etc. By merely emulating what a successful PMO did, there is no guarantee that your PMO Will succeed as well.
When done right, Executives would look at the PMO as a service provider and the PMO addresses their needs and expectations as what any organization would do with regards to those from their “Clients”. It is a simple philosophy - by meeting stakeholder expectations, their perceived value of the role & functions of the PMO is directly increased. By continually re-assessing the stakeholder needs (you’ll learn more when we talk about the 8 steps in the methodology) the PMO Remains very much aligned to the key stakeholders and continues to thrive in the organization.
Coming up next: The 8 steps in the Value Ring Methodology.
