Office-Building

  Governance   ProjectsAtWork  

Although the benefits of a program management office -- standardized practices and methods, increased productivity and efficiency, reduced costs -- are clear, many organizations lack the means or experience to set one up successfully. Here are 10 indispensable steps for building a PMO that delivers value.

For executives consistently challenged to do more with less, the value of having a program management office (PMO) as a centralized management structure is immeasurable. At its most basic level, the PMO ensures that projects within a department or division are managed consistently and working toward the same goals. Benefits include more efficient processes, money better spent, and better outcomes. Specifically, the PMO provides:

• A structure to standardize PM practices, facilitate IT project portfolio management, and determine methodologies for repeatable processes.
• Improved project success rates. In a 2003 survey by CIO, 50 percent of respondents said project success (on time, on budget, on target) rates have increased as a result of a PMO.
• Increased efficiency and productivity. Team members understand their individual roles and goals of the project, providing a framework for everyone to work towards the same end.
• Disciplined methods for planning, executing, and closeout.
• Reduced cost from process reuse. The PMO is a repository for process and …

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