PM War Stories #35 - Creating a PMO: How to Overcome Risks in Building a PMO that Lasts

Download PMW_0035_Creating_a_PMO.mp3 (22 MB)

Project managers face and overcome risks and uncertainties frequently in their projects. Creating a project management office (PMO) is no different. It requires securing a large commitment on the part of the organization, obtaining buy-in at all levels, actively managing stakeholders and sponsors, and carefully gauging, and in some case disregarding, risks and uncertainties.

Success is not achieved merely with the creation of the PMO itself. In fact, 25% of PMOs typically fail in the third year of their existence. To build a PMO that will last, project managers need the proper infrastructure, processes, people and tools. Implementing a project portfolio management (PPM) strategy is an important early step as it helps tie those pieces together in building a PMO. Additionally, it helps drive the sustainability and success of the PMO by providing the necessary system of checks and balances that ensure projects are on track and in alignment with the organization’s goals. 

This is the third podcast in a series on project management offices, sponsored by Oracle Primavera. In this episode, we will examine how to overcome the risks and uncertainties in creating a project management office and more importantly, how to successfully maintain it.

To do this, I’m sitting down with industry insider, Beth Partleton who has more than 30 years of project and portfolio management experience in manufacturing and construction. During her illustrious project management career, she was the Director of Strategic Projects for Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; she was a founder, charter member, and president of the Milwaukee/Southeast Wisconsin PMI Chapter; she was Chair of the PMI Educational Foundation Board of Directors and lastly she served on the Board of Directors for PMI’s Manufacturing specific interest group. Today she will be sharing her insights and war stories around the importance of PPM to maintain a successfully operating PMO.

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Music Notes

1. The opening of the episode - "Collins Avenue"
2. Interview with industry insiders – "Half Moon Bay"
3. The closing of the episode - "Torn Jeans"

Comments

[Mel Bost]

Many of these issues including formation of a PMO and what to do if it fails to "execute" as planned are covered in my PMO Blog:
www.melbostpmoexpert.com

Thanks,

Mel Bost

[PM War Stories]

Execution is definitely a key element to success in PMOs and project management. Your blog on execution and the reference to the Dodgers/Reds game is a good one. I think another key point to this podcast was creating a PMO without a mandate. As such, building buy-in with stakeholders was critical and presented an additional element of risk. If you or anyone has some similar examples, please share the links.