Paul RogerOperational Performance ConsultantParis, , France
Hello,
I have a question regarding resources related to PMO structures. In this 2023 article (link: https://www.pmi.org/learning/thought-leade...mo-frameworks), it mentions that there are 5 PMO structures: 1. Organizational unit, business unit, divisional or departmental PMO 2. Project-specific PMO, project office, or program office 3. Project support, services, controls office or PMO 4. Enterprise, organization-wide, strategic, corporate, portfolio or global PMO 5. Center of excellence or center of competency
However, in the PMBOK v6, it is mentioned that there are 3 : 1. Supportive PMO: Offers advisory support and resources with low control over projects. 2. Compliance PMO: Ensures projects adhere to standards and methodologies with moderate control. 3. Directive PMO: Actively manages projects with high control, directly appointing project managers.
My questions are as follows: Do these different structures mean the same thing? If not, what does this mean? Does the PMO framework (link above) and PMBOK v6 are talking about different things ? If we have to describe structures of PMO on which model should we rely ?
Mentor| World Class Productivity Inc.Welland, Ontario, Canada
Paul -
The first list is a combination of what responsibility or focus a PMO has as well and where they report into so the items in it are not mutually exclusive. The second list refers more about the mandate of the PMO regardless of where it reports or its temporal nature.
In general, I find any single dimensional taxonomy to be limiting - not only would you want to know if a PMO is temporary or permanent, you'd also want to know where it reports into, the scope of its authority, what its mandate is and possibly a few other things...
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