In increasingly dynamic and competitive business environments the priority on efficient working processes as well as investment returns have dramatically increased. This is a trend seen across all business functions and in a variety of sectors as organisations look to become more agile, cut waste and deliver more.
The Role of the Project Management Office (PMO) in Modern Organisations
This is particularly true across the Project Management function. Organisations now see what benefits a PMO team can bring to the business area. Some of these can include:
- Quicker identifications of project risk
- Better project scope control
- Budgeting benefits
- Clearer understanding of timescales and adhering to agreed time parameters
Why Organisations are Turning to PMO Consulting Services
Seeing the host of benefits a PMO team can offer, it’s not surprising that organisations are increasingly turning to consultancies to support them in setting this up. A wise move, but important to be aware that implementing a PMO is not always the fairy-tale ending to Project Management concerns, as there can be a high risk of failure if not orchestrated correctly…
According to the Association for Project Management: ‘PMOs have the highest failure rate of any department in an organization, with an astounding 50% of PMOs closing within the first 3 years’
Common Challenges Faced by PMO Teams
Typically, PMO issues arise not from the tools, processes or people involved but usually due to mistrust of information given by the PMO (58% of stakeholders take information form the PMO to be realistic) and sometimes because of the workload of the PMO team – often they are sharing the work burden of the project team and are therefore too busy to be strategic.
As well as making sure your PMO is set up for success, one other way to combat these issues is by introducing a PMO as a Service (PMOaaS) approach. PMOaaS is a service offering for a more agile and lean approach to having a PMO. Organisations can spend a lot of time and money building an in-house solution which may be lower performing. At Nine Feet Tall we use our expertise within the IT and service transformation process alongside our team of experts to create a ‘best of breed’ PMO function.
PMO as a Service (PMOaaS): A Solution for Agile and Lean Project Management
To overcome these challenges, many organisations are adopting PMO as a Service (PMOaaS). PMOaaS provides an agile and lean approach to project management, offering the benefits of an in-house PMO without the same time and cost investments.
Key Characteristics of a PMOaaS for Successful Implementation
A well-implemented PMOaaS approach typically includes:
- Utilising PMO specialists that have a wealth of experience and sector expertise
- Scalability and flexing the number of specialists based on the need of the project through flexible resourcing.
- Understanding of good PMO principals and the best environments in which these can flourish
- Rapid start-up of the function with defined and standardised templates, processes and methodologies for everyone to implement and follow from day one. Using the right people to deliver a bespoke set up.
Does PMOaaS make sense for your organisation? If you want stakeholders to have more time for creating and delivering value through their projects, then yes. Your organisation could have a PMO working function immediately, allowing for improved productivity and a shared workforce. As an example, when EDF adopted PMOaaS the results spoke for themselves: ‘EDF hired 80% fewer contractors, saved project managers time and let team members focus on value-added tasks’.
Explore our PMO services at Nine Feet Tall.
Why PMOaaS Might Be the Right Choice for Your Organisation
If you want stakeholders to spend more time creating and delivering value, PMOaaS could be the right solution. A PMOaaS setup allows for immediate improvements in productivity and a shared workforce. For example, when EDF adopted PMOaaS, they achieved remarkable results: ‘EDF hired 80% fewer contractors, saved project managers’ time, and allowed team members to focus on value-added tasks.
Why Choose Us for Our PMO Consulting Services?
Explore why Nine Feet Tall is the premier choice for PMO as a Service (PMOaaS). Our dedicated team offers comprehensive PMO solutions tailored to your specific needs. With extensive experience and a commitment to excellence, we provide seamless integration, enhanced efficiency, and maximum ROI. By partnering with us, you gain access to industry-leading expertise, cutting-edge technology, and personalised support every step of the way.
We prioritise transparency, collaboration, and delivering measurable results, ensuring your projects are executed flawlessly and achieve your strategic objectives. Choose Nine Feet Tall for unparalleled PMOaaS solutions that drive success and empower your organization to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.
For more information about making your PMO a success or to learn more about how PMOaaS can work for your organisation, get in touch with us today to get started!
Sources
https://www.infosys.com/iki/insights/pmo-as-a-service.html
https://www.cps.co.uk/consulting/pmo-as-a-service/
https://blog.planview.com/turning-around-failing-pmo/
