Types of project management office (PMO)

Types of Project Management Office (PMO)
Author: PM Majik
Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. www.pmmajik.com

Contents
1.0 Purpose of this presentation
2.0 Factors influencing a PMO
3.1 Capability
3.2 Responsibility
3.3 Size
3.4 Distributed v centralised
4.0 Summary
5.0 PMO resources

1.0 Purpose of this presentation
The term Project Management Office (PMO), is a term often used in the change
management space. Many have their own understanding of what this term means.
However, just like everyone understands what is meant by the term "car", there are
many types of car. The same applies to the term PMO, there are many types of PMO.
This presentation aims to draw on previous articles on the blog to give a good idea of
the different types, flavours of PMO. It is helpful to have this understanding as it will
help you make informed choices when designing, building and enhancing your own
PMO.
There will be links to additional resources for each of the topics covered.

2.0 Factors influencing a PMO
There are a number of themes that influence the type of PMO
Distibuted
PgMO
Objectives

3.1 PMO capability
• While the PMO can take many forms, the approach I have taken at pmmajik.com is
that a PMO falls into one of the following broad categories based on purpose and
capability (click link for more details):
• Administrative / Reporting
• Hybrid
• Managerial / Proactive
• These categories represent the different steps on the PMO maturity journey (the PMO
functions they support). Therefore, an Administrative PMO will normally be staffed
with more junior / less experienced resources where as a Managerial PMO will
typically have very senior resources who have direct management of the change
resources.

3.2 PMO responsibility
• In order to describe a PMO, an organisation may use different names (with their
associated acronyms). The different names are usually to describe the responsibility /
span of control of the PMO.
•The responsibility level increases from PSO all the way to EPMO.

3.3 PMO size
• There is no set rule for the size of a PMO.
• However, I have come across common planning assumptions that a PMO budget
should be approx. 5% of the combined project budget for which the PMO has
oversight.
• Obviously a level of discretion is required as this will depend on the objectives of the
PMO.
• An Administrative PMO will normally require less budget than a Managerial PMO.

3.4 Distributed V centralised
This is driven by the capability, responsibility and the desired operating model.
• Distributed - this is where there is a small central PMO with the majority a PMO
capability located in the actual project teams. This is more typical of an Administrative
PMO.
• Centralised - this is where there is a large central PMO performing majority of
functions. This is more typical of a Managerial PMO.

4.0 Summary
There are many different types of project management office.
The good news there is no right or wrong academic answer. However, there is a right or
wrong answer for your organisation. This is why defining the objectives of the PMO and
agreeing up front with the sponsor is critical.
Considerations for determining type of PMO:
1.Capability
2.Responsibility
3.Size
4.Distributed V centralised
Additional Resource
https://www.pmmajik.com/defining-objectives-pmo-help-sponsor-measure-
success/
Understanding these principles will help guide you in defining and implementing the
right type of PMO for your organisation.

5.0 PMO resources
If you want more information, visit www.pmmajik.com where you will find lots of project
and PMO resources including the FREE guide, 7 Steps to Set-Up a PMO.
Visit http://www.pmmajik.com/set-pmo/
PM Majik Website
On the PM Majik website you will find over 200 articles that contain practical and
pragmatic tips and insights for designing, mobilising and managing a PMO. New
articles are added weekly. Topic requests are encouraged from the community.

Types of project management office (PMO)

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