Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
PMO Interview Questions
Dr. Andrew Makar is an IT program manager and is the author of the Microsoft Project Made Easy series. For more project management advice, visit the website TacticalProjectManagement.com.
Interviewing candidates for a PMO position is different than hiring for a project manager position. The fundamental skill sets are similar, but the leadership skills and technical competencies are influenced by the form and function performed by the PMO. The PMO may exist at a program, department or enterprise level, and the project managers working with the PMO may have a strong or weak matrix relationship with the PMO manager. The following interview questions are just a few that can be used to staff PMOs at various levels in an organization. They should be tailored according to the specific PMO’s form and function.
Question 1: Portfolio Management and Governance
Describe how you’ve implemented portfolio management across an organization. What tools have you used to manage the portfolio?
A key function within a program, department or enterprise PMO is the governance and management of the projects in the portfolio. An effective PMO assists in the decision-making process to identify, select and monitor the projects executing in the portfolio. Candidates should demonstrate previous experiences organizing portfolio reviews and supporting portfolio decision making. Candidates that have experience with project portfolio management tools like Clarity, Microsoft’s Project Portfolio Server or IBM’s Rational Portfolio Manager are an asset to …
Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.
ADVERTISEMENTS
|
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha |