Perform Project Selection
The project selection process ensures that all projects are bona fide business efforts and that every project is selected and conducted to implement a business strategy or to support a business objective. A project selection decision has two important implications for the relevant organization. First, it indicates that a project business plan, sometimes called a business case, has been developed, reviewed, and approved to show an acceptable fit with strategic business interests, and to serve as...
Monitor Travel Arrangements
A project management environment that deals with extensive travel requirements may warrant the PMO to establish a moderate oversight capability regarding travel associated with project work. This in no way implies that the PMO should become a travel service. Rather, the PMO should monitor issues and matters of project-related travel to determine efficiency and to ensure that project resources are where they should be in a timely manner. In particular, the PMO can establish procedures that...
Methodology Platform
The methodology platform addresses the means by which those responsible for project management apply the project management methodology to project work. It commonly refers to automated systems that provide access to process steps, practice and technique guidance, and an associated database of project information. For purposes of this PMO function, this strategy element considers how the PMO plans to convey the established methodology process and preferred practices that project managers and...
Mentoring Activities across the PMO Continuum
The progression of the mentoring function along the PMO competency continuum is characterized by increasing use of internally qualified senior project management mentors, combined with more personalized mentoring services as the project environment matures. Table 13.1 provides an overview of the range of prescribed PMO project management mentoring activities according to each level in the PMO competency continuum. The project office tends to be the primary user of the mentoring services...
Matrix Project Team Structure
This represents a project team structure where the project manager has limited authority over project resources, which are now aligned with the project manager for purposes of project work. Some project management standards distinguish between a strong matrix structure and a weak matrix structure. In a strong matrix structure, the project manager has significant authority and control over project resources during their project assignment. In a weak matrix structure, the resource provider (i.e.,...
Project Environment Interface Concepts
The PMO can be the primary interface between the project management environment and the resource managers in the relevant organization. This takes some of the burden for resource acquisition away from project managers until their input and decisions are ultimately needed. The PMO's understanding of project management and technical disciplines, combined with frequent examinations of project performance, enable it to guide or recommend processes for project resource management, to include...
Deploy Project Resources
Project resources assigned to specific project efforts make their way to the location where the project will be conducted. This could simply be a trip down the hall or a short drive to a nearby facility, but sometimes project resource deployment involves cross-country or international travel. The PMO can monitor the recurring needs to deploy project resources and establish processes to make common deployment activities more efficient. Project resource deployment means getting each project team...
Project Auditing Activities across the PMO Continuum
The project auditing function along the PMO competency continuum provides for progressive levels of internal and external examination of project and business performance. It represents project review activities that are conducted for the purposes of oversight and control at specified points in the project management life cycle. It also represents reviews that are conducted in response to project management, technical, or business indicators that trigger the need to examine all or a portion of...
Business Environment Interface Concepts
Early project management information systems were influential in information exchange and communication within the project management environment. The PMO's knowledge management function introduces new capability that improves upon and expands that influence throughout the relevant organization while still maintaining the essential information needed within the project management environment. Knowledge management recognizes the organization's project information needs and drives the development...
Manage Portfolio Attrition
Perform Project Closeout Assess Strategic Advantage Assess Customer Satisfaction Figure 17.1 Project portfolio management function model. to ensure that a solid basis for conducting project portfolio management is established. Validate Business Strategy and Interests Executives are responsible for establishing the strategic direction of the organization. That strategy provides the purpose, expectations, goals, and action steps necessary to guide business pursuits. Day-to-day application of the...
