How to Make Your PMO More Effective: Practical Tips You Can Apply Today

Consistency drives results—stay committed to your PMO’s priorities, even when new challenges arise.

Hi, Fatimah here! Welcome to the next edition of ‘The PMO Playbook’ newsletter. In each newsletter, I will tackle a different area of PMO based on your questions, industry insights or opportunities I see to make a difference.

If you’re not a paid subscriber, here’s what you’ve missed so far (and I am only just getting started):

• How to set up and manage a Project Pipeline process (step by step)

• How to set up the dependency management process (step by step)

• Building Your EPMO Charter (what to include)

• Choosing the right PPM tool - a step-by-step guide

• Navigating Product Management

• All the transcripts from the recent Agile Ideas Podcast episodes

• And more…

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Now, onto today’s post…..

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How to Make Your PMO More Effective: Practical Tips You Can Apply Today

I was thinking about what to include next in this Playbook. Then I recalled a recent conversation where one of my clients said, ‘This is one of the most organised PMOs I have ever seen.’ So I thought, what makes a PMO effective?

5 Practical Tips to Make Your PMO More Effective

So, it may seem obvious, but how often do we take the time to stop and plan out our PMOs? Rarely. If it's anything like my experiences, the PMO is usually thrust upon you, and you are given limited to no time to ‘think’ before ‘doing’.

I recommend against this.

"Knowing where you stand is the first step toward moving forward with purpose."

Start with Clear Goals (and Stick to Them)

Many PMOs struggle because they try to be everything to everyone. I was once this type of PMO, too! Instead, you should define what success looks like for your PMO and align your goals with your organisation’s strategy.

But Fatimah, how do I know what my goals should be when I have so much to do?

Easy.

Ask the right questions. Interview and chat with your stakeholders. Ask them what they feel is missing, causing roadblocks to their work or impeding progress.

Collate and review these.

✅ Choose 2-3 key priorities for your PMO, such as improving project delivery speed or increasing portfolio visibility. Communicate these priorities clearly to leadership and your team.

For example, improving project delivery speed may mean reducing the time it takes to onboard resources or reducing the time it takes for an idea to progress through a ‘funnel’ from idea to delivery.