Mike FrenetteManager, IT PMO| Halifax Water (retired)Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
With the rollout of the new Project Management Offices - a Practice Guide comes a new certification called PMI-PMOCP. This new certification requires passing a 2-hour exam and will soon be recognized globally with the existing PMO-CP as the premier certification for those creating, enhancing and managing project management offices. The new PMO Value Ring framework you'll find in the new guide makes business stakeholders the center of everything with business value through the important outcomes they choose being the goal.
Are you ready to move into the PMO space? Will you study for and go for the certification? Or are you content to remain in your current role? Saving Changes...
Well, being a project manager focuses more on finding an equilibrium between the PMBOK guidelines and getting work done in real-world scenarios, which is usually not ideal. We need to focus on finding an easy workaround for the solutions, if not the solutions themselves. But moving into the PMO space is entirely different; you need to make other PMs understand why they should not go for easy fixes but rather choose to follow protocols and how this will benefit their long-term professional development and goals.
In my opinion, I would love to move into the PMO space after having some significant experience, and going for the certifications is never a bad idea. Learning something new always helps.
...
1 reply by Mike Frenette
Feb 05, 2025 1:12 PM
Mike Frenette
...
Just you tailor your PM approach for each project, the PMO Value Ring Framework also has an approach for tailoring your PMO approach for any particular organization. The 30 standard outcomes a PMO can address are ranked by PMO Customers and the applicable PMO functions (there are 26) are implemented over time to achieve the desired outcomes on a priority basis. The effectiveness of the PMO in achieving outcomes is periodically evaluated by PMO Customers. Then the next cycle begins to reconfirm priorities and plan for implementing more PMO functions to support the next set of priority outcomes. There is, if course, much more to the framework than just this. But I think the core of it is identifying and delivering the outcormes PMO customers want and need.
The outcome and function lists were created by hundreds of experienced PMO Leaders globally while PMOGA set up PMOVR starting in 2017.
I'd be interested in knowing who PMI's target audience is for this cert as I've never heard of a senior leadership team using certifications as a criteria for hiring a PMO leader.
I could see it being of value to folks wanting to provide PMO consulting services such as establishing a PMO, but that is not a big enough market to justify the efforts in developing and supporting a new credential.
Kiron
...
2 replies by Mike Frenette and Rami Kaibni
Feb 03, 2025 6:02 PM
Mike Frenette
...
Hi Kiron,
Like most bodies of knowledge, frameworks and certifications, it will take time, marketing and a show of real results before executives of organizations provide support.
Having set up and run several PMOs, I can attest to the fact that when executives and senior management find a clear, disciplined way to implement strategies and operational imperatives that involves an oversight organization, they sit up and take notice. The PMO Value Ring Framework places executives at the centre of the action by asking them and their senior team to prioritize the list of Outputs a PMO can provide. Is the market large? Certainly not as large as the call for credentialed PMs to manage millions of projects. But if every organization were o set up a PMO, and make it part of their organizational DNA, the numbers might surprise us all.
Mike
Feb 04, 2025 9:39 AM
Rami Kaibni
...
Kiron, this is actually gaining more traction. I can see this from where I stand right now especially the idea of PMO as a service.
Saving Changes...
Mike FrenetteManager, IT PMO| Halifax Water (retired)Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Feb 03, 2025 4:48 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Mike -
I'd be interested in knowing who PMI's target audience is for this cert as I've never heard of a senior leadership team using certifications as a criteria for hiring a PMO leader.
I could see it being of value to folks wanting to provide PMO consulting services such as establishing a PMO, but that is not a big enough market to justify the efforts in developing and supporting a new credential.
Kiron
Hi Kiron,
Like most bodies of knowledge, frameworks and certifications, it will take time, marketing and a show of real results before executives of organizations provide support.
Having set up and run several PMOs, I can attest to the fact that when executives and senior management find a clear, disciplined way to implement strategies and operational imperatives that involves an oversight organization, they sit up and take notice. The PMO Value Ring Framework places executives at the centre of the action by asking them and their senior team to prioritize the list of Outputs a PMO can provide. Is the market large? Certainly not as large as the call for credentialed PMs to manage millions of projects. But if every organization were o set up a PMO, and make it part of their organizational DNA, the numbers might surprise us all.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 03, 2025 4:48 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Mike -
I'd be interested in knowing who PMI's target audience is for this cert as I've never heard of a senior leadership team using certifications as a criteria for hiring a PMO leader.
I could see it being of value to folks wanting to provide PMO consulting services such as establishing a PMO, but that is not a big enough market to justify the efforts in developing and supporting a new credential.
Kiron
Kiron, this is actually gaining more traction. I can see this from where I stand right now especially the idea of PMO as a service. Saving Changes...
Mike FrenetteManager, IT PMO| Halifax Water (retired)Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Here is Americo Pinto's LinkedIn post about the new guide, rolled out today, Feb 4th:
Besa MuthuriSenior Portfolio Manager| The Coca-Cola CompanyAtlanta Georgia, United States
Moving into the PMO space! The introduction of the PMI-PMOCP certification aligns perfectly with my expertise in project and program management, strategic HR leadership, business operations, fundraising, and donor management. Given my experience in contract management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change, this certification will solidify my ability to drive high-impact PMOs that deliver real business value. The PMO Value Ring framework particularly resonates with my approach to aligning PMO functions with business strategy, stakeholder priorities, and donor expectations. I’m excited about this evolution and will pursue the certification to enhance my ability to create and optimize value-driven PMOs supporting fundraising and donor management success! Saving Changes...
I'm going to wait, watch, and see. I demoed the PMOGA software several years ago and was able to pick up a lot from it and the documentation. It was good information, but it seemed like it would be very difficult to apply without leadership training and buy-in. If it starts showing up as required on job descriptions of jobs on my career path I'll consider the certification. I will be reading the guide soon, and will consider training in the future, but not an exam prep class (if there is one).
...
2 replies by Mayte Mata Sivera and Mike Frenette
Feb 05, 2025 12:50 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
...
Just like other certifications, applying this effectively requires leadership training and buy-in. Remember all those so-called 'transformations'—Agile transformations, for example—where some organizations rushed to "abandon" PMP-certified professionals in favor of the latest trend?
From my perspective as a project leader, continuous learning and expanding our toolkit is what truly matters. I’m definitely interested in reading the guide, and as for the certification—let’s see, maybe in 2026!
Feb 05, 2025 1:17 PM
Mike Frenette
...
You make a good point about leadership training and buy-in. We all too often speak to the practitioners but ignore the customer when rolling out such frameworks. The awareness step of PMOVR will help with this, but a set of executive presentation materials, messaging and case studies would go a long way to demonstrating the potential value of implementing the PMOVR framework.
I'm going to wait, watch, and see. I demoed the PMOGA software several years ago and was able to pick up a lot from it and the documentation. It was good information, but it seemed like it would be very difficult to apply without leadership training and buy-in. If it starts showing up as required on job descriptions of jobs on my career path I'll consider the certification. I will be reading the guide soon, and will consider training in the future, but not an exam prep class (if there is one).
Just like other certifications, applying this effectively requires leadership training and buy-in. Remember all those so-called 'transformations'—Agile transformations, for example—where some organizations rushed to "abandon" PMP-certified professionals in favor of the latest trend?
From my perspective as a project leader, continuous learning and expanding our toolkit is what truly matters. I’m definitely interested in reading the guide, and as for the certification—let’s see, maybe in 2026!
...
1 reply by Mike Frenette
Feb 05, 2025 1:22 PM
Mike Frenette
...
Fortunately, not a lot of abandonment occurred judging by the PMP numbers we see today. ;)
I see the PMO as part of the DNA of an organization that will be just what executives need to realize the benefits of their strategies and operational imperatives. Moving from a PM role to a PMO Leader role isn't for everyone, but those with an interest will certainly want to consider it.
Saving Changes...
Mike FrenetteManager, IT PMO| Halifax Water (retired)Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Feb 03, 2025 3:55 PM
Replying to Nikher Verma
...
Well, being a project manager focuses more on finding an equilibrium between the PMBOK guidelines and getting work done in real-world scenarios, which is usually not ideal. We need to focus on finding an easy workaround for the solutions, if not the solutions themselves. But moving into the PMO space is entirely different; you need to make other PMs understand why they should not go for easy fixes but rather choose to follow protocols and how this will benefit their long-term professional development and goals.
In my opinion, I would love to move into the PMO space after having some significant experience, and going for the certifications is never a bad idea. Learning something new always helps.
Just you tailor your PM approach for each project, the PMO Value Ring Framework also has an approach for tailoring your PMO approach for any particular organization. The 30 standard outcomes a PMO can address are ranked by PMO Customers and the applicable PMO functions (there are 26) are implemented over time to achieve the desired outcomes on a priority basis. The effectiveness of the PMO in achieving outcomes is periodically evaluated by PMO Customers. Then the next cycle begins to reconfirm priorities and plan for implementing more PMO functions to support the next set of priority outcomes. There is, if course, much more to the framework than just this. But I think the core of it is identifying and delivering the outcormes PMO customers want and need.
The outcome and function lists were created by hundreds of experienced PMO Leaders globally while PMOGA set up PMOVR starting in 2017. Saving Changes...
Mike FrenetteManager, IT PMO| Halifax Water (retired)Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Feb 05, 2025 10:39 AM
Replying to Aaron Porter
...
I'm going to wait, watch, and see. I demoed the PMOGA software several years ago and was able to pick up a lot from it and the documentation. It was good information, but it seemed like it would be very difficult to apply without leadership training and buy-in. If it starts showing up as required on job descriptions of jobs on my career path I'll consider the certification. I will be reading the guide soon, and will consider training in the future, but not an exam prep class (if there is one).
You make a good point about leadership training and buy-in. We all too often speak to the practitioners but ignore the customer when rolling out such frameworks. The awareness step of PMOVR will help with this, but a set of executive presentation materials, messaging and case studies would go a long way to demonstrating the potential value of implementing the PMOVR framework. Saving Changes...
"Karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world."
Community Champion
