Kristin PenrodSenior Project Manager| PolarisIndependence, Mn, United States
I recently started a position at a smaller company as their first project manager. The company is growing and if I use my entrepreneurial skills there is opportunity to establish a PMO. Does anyone have any recommended resources or advice to give on starting a PMO? I have a lot of ideas, but I'm not sure where to start. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Dec 13, 2022 5:23 PM
Replying to Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz
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Evaluating Project Management Maturity is a good first step to do since the results of this evaluation will help you to define the best type of PMO for your organization.
Considering Kristin is their first project manager, I’m guessing they have a long way to go. Saving Changes...
As far as resources go, I've found a couple of books useful:
- The PMO Lifecycle by William Dow
- Business Driven PMO Setup by Mark Price Perry
There used to be a short course on setting up a PMO, based on Parry's work, here on this site.
Rami mentioned the PMO Value Ring. I don't know if it's still possible, but at one point you could get access to their tool and methodology. I used the approach to help establish priorities at my last company, where I was helping set up a PMO, and my current company, where I am the first and only PM.
I've been here about a year, now, using DA as the backbone for managing work flow in IT, as well as coaching other areas of the business. While I don't know your exact situation, my advice is don't worry about setting up a PMO.
Focus more on adding value. It's a subtle difference. Some of the things I'm doing are things that would be done by a PMO in a larger organization. Set the foundation for delivering value. Then, if your company grows large enough that it would benefit from PMO, build on the relationships you've built and your ability to understand business needs and deliver value to determine how to proceed.
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1 reply by Kristin Penrod
Dec 23, 2022 10:48 PM
Kristin Penrod
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Thank you, Aaron. This is very useful. I am not too concerned with it starting a PMO and focusing on adding value. However, I would like to be prepared as I would like to be the one the company turns to as we grow.
In a similar position for my company ... first, then senior, now only Program/Project Manager. Legacy company leadership is anti-PMO and want bare-minimum PM/PgM standards implemented (and each item is a struggle). After 18 months, my leadership has finally come to the realization they need to change things--but they're not racing to implement changes. Recommend biding your time and focusing on your current projects; standardize them, if only self-written guidelines. As you demonstrate the value, they may/will come to you wanting more--just recognize this is a long-term change that they need to want. Saving Changes...
Michelle PryorProgram/Project ManagerInver Grove Heights, Mn, United States
Kristin - happy to connect as I'm doing the same (and in MN!). I can tell you the approach I'm taking.
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1 reply by Kristin Penrod
Dec 23, 2022 10:48 PM
Kristin Penrod
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Thanks, Michelle! Would love to hear what you are up to.
Saving Changes...
David OliverDirector, Project Management| Simplify ComplianceWinchendon, Ma, United States
I've been in a similar boat, Kristin, and the way I've navigated this is by understanding the stakeholders needs and then organizing a mission and vision that aligned and resonated. Since then I've been working on fulfilling that mission, delivering on value, and showcasing our trials and successes transparently. It's been a collaborative approach but is really setting the foundations for a future PMO. Saving Changes...
Kristin PenrodSenior Project Manager| PolarisIndependence, Mn, United States
Dec 14, 2022 10:22 AM
Replying to Aaron Porter
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As far as resources go, I've found a couple of books useful:
- The PMO Lifecycle by William Dow
- Business Driven PMO Setup by Mark Price Perry
There used to be a short course on setting up a PMO, based on Parry's work, here on this site.
Rami mentioned the PMO Value Ring. I don't know if it's still possible, but at one point you could get access to their tool and methodology. I used the approach to help establish priorities at my last company, where I was helping set up a PMO, and my current company, where I am the first and only PM.
I've been here about a year, now, using DA as the backbone for managing work flow in IT, as well as coaching other areas of the business. While I don't know your exact situation, my advice is don't worry about setting up a PMO.
Focus more on adding value. It's a subtle difference. Some of the things I'm doing are things that would be done by a PMO in a larger organization. Set the foundation for delivering value. Then, if your company grows large enough that it would benefit from PMO, build on the relationships you've built and your ability to understand business needs and deliver value to determine how to proceed.
Thank you, Aaron. This is very useful. I am not too concerned with it starting a PMO and focusing on adding value. However, I would like to be prepared as I would like to be the one the company turns to as we grow. Saving Changes...
Kristin PenrodSenior Project Manager| PolarisIndependence, Mn, United States
Dec 15, 2022 4:53 PM
Replying to Michelle Pryor
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Kristin - happy to connect as I'm doing the same (and in MN!). I can tell you the approach I'm taking.
Thanks, Michelle! Would love to hear what you are up to. Saving Changes...
Michelle PryorProgram/Project ManagerInver Grove Heights, Mn, United States
Dec 13, 2022 3:55 PM
Replying to Mayte Mata Sivera
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Another recommendation, take a look to the PMO Leader community, there are also great resources there.
What is the PMO Leader community? Saving Changes...
Just try to mature the project management practices in your company. Chance are they are not familiar with basic PM practices. Lead a few projects. But don't push for total PM disciplines at once. it backfires.
Unless the processes are not mature, PMO doesn't add value.
Azzam Saving Changes...
Mikel SteadmanPMO Leader| Development Dimensions InternationalTroy, Nh, United States
My advice. Focus on the PM work first and the strategic work, second. I encourage you to not lose focus and potentially convert your day-to-day from PM who is an exemplar to PM who is using hours analyzing and architecting a PMO they envision themselves leading.
Use your skills, ambition, and evolving strategic framework to drive best practices to exceed project success/expectations. If you continue to help the business exceed expectations via PM-led projects, you will build champions/advocates and create the demand for more project management-led projects. Now, you have an opportunity to become a supported leader of a function identified to solve a business problem. :-)
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