On PMOs

Kent Barnett — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:33:57 +0000

On Project Management Offices (PMOs), simplicity should be the rule. PMOs can get complex and in order to effectively manage the process simplify it to the basics. The more complex the environment, the more likely it will implode or become unmanageable. If the PMO is developed with the correct people managing it successfully, it will be simple in efficiency.

I’ve had the misfortune to see PMO crash and burn because of complex methods placed early in the process. Simplify it to the basics, don’t over complicate the process and it will manage itself. A popular phrase in business and technology is core competency. Simply put, core competency is a distinctive area of expertise of an organization that is critical to its long term success. These are built up over time and cannot be imitated easily. The development and execution of a Project Management Office SHOULD be a core competency, it should not be thought of as a quick fix for a turnaround situation or because something is broken. My belief that a core competency can be simple in nature and should be thoughtfully introduced within business, the fundamentals of a PMO should be a measure to an organizations successful project management need, not a reaction to a problem or because someone thinks it’s something cool to do.

PMOs should simplify an organization’s management of projects not add another level of complexity.

Project Playbook®

Kent Barnett — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:44:37 +0000

The Project Playbook® is based on a ‘best practice’ solution for both business and IT projects. The goal of Project Playbook® is to help organizations develop the following areas for business and IT:

Operational – define and work through who, what, and when things need to be done.
Tactical – how and who will be responsible for all three areas of the operational, tactical, and strategic areas.
Strategic – the strategic area can be complex but by determining the why and where on any project will improve the project lifecycle; however, executive commitment is important to the whole of all projects.

The easiest way to think about a successful project is keeping it simple. The six simple questions of who, what, when, where, how, and why will improve all project performance and create lasting and successful results.

This blog will help the reader understand that simplifying the project management process will greatly improve the successful foundation for project success.

Please continue to read this blog for continued success.