Project Management

Developing a Project Management Office

• Traditional Classroom: 2-day
• Virtual Instructor-led: Four 3-hour sessions

To compete in the current challenging economic environment, successful organizations are embracing project management as part of their overall strategy to achieve business results. Learn how a properly organized and managed project management office (PMO) can help your organization to achieve business success. Participants will learn how to plan, develop, and manage a PMO to obtain critical buy-in and make significant contributions to your company during the start-up phase and beyond.

Lectures, discussions, and case studies will familiarize students with best practices in implementing and operating a PMO, including knowledge of the types of PMOs and the different functions associated with each type and of the management and staffing requirements of a PMO team.

Target Audience

Senior project managers, program managers, or program directors.

Learning Objectives

• Develop a mission for your PMO that meets corporate needs.
• Develop communication and staffing plans to make your PMO a success.
• Develop a workable plan to establish a Strategic PMO, or to improve your current PMO operations.

Key Takeaways

• What Type of PMO do we need? — The difference between strategic and tactical Project Management Offices.
• Relating the PMO to Business Needs — Determine what PMO functions are needed to best support your projects and company organization.
• Services and Business Needs — How to define, staff and manage and effective Project Management Office to support what the business requires.
• Making It Through the Start Up Phase — How to establish and operate a Strategic Project Management Office in your organization.
• Getting Buy-In — The practices and procedures necessary to keep a Strategic Project Management Office contributing value to the organization.

Course Outline

Module 1: What Is the Value of a PMO?

• Why Are PMOs Needed?
• What Is a Project Management Office?

Module 2: Assess the Business Needs for a PMO

• PMO Development Process
• Build a Business Case

Module 3: Develop a Business Plan for the PMO

• The Business Plan
• Determine the Scope
• Determine the Organization Type
• Identify Required Resources
• Evaluate Risk
• Develop a Communications Plan
• Schedule Deliverables
• Determine the Budget
• Other Components
• Obtain Approvals

Module 4: Establishing a PMO

• Steps for Successful Implementation

Module 5: Getting Buy-In for the PMO

• Add Value Quickly
• Measure the Effectiveness of a PMO
• Sell the PMO ’s Effectiveness

MDP118 Course Code