PMO Career Path: 5 issues of PMO

PMO Career Path – five issues Connection of PMO

All project management offices don't seem to be created equal, and also the perception of a PMO’s worth inside a company can greatly influence a project manager’s call to pursue a footing in it. Here are 5 concerns that would} discourage a project manager from seeking a PMO-related role, And why these unappealing factors still might give opportunities to grow.

There are solid reasons to hunt for a position in an exceedingly project management office. Because the previous vi Reasons to affix a PMO article indicated, an assignment in a PMO can give project managers active expertise in enterprise-level risk, amendment and problems management; expand their awareness of business issues; and supply an atmosphere to develop leadership skills. Maybe most appealing, it may offer the chance to become a part of the answer to project management processes I would like to fix.

All PMOs don't seem to be created equal, however, and also the perception of a PMO inside a company can greatly influence a project manager’s call to require a PMO assignment. Here are 5 less-than-enticing perceptions that could, on the surface, persuade a project manager to say, “Thanks, however no thanks.”

1. The PMO could be a employees operate

Ineffective PMOs are perceived as providing low worth at high body prices while not really rising the delivery of comes. Valid or not, a PMO assignment is often a staff assignment that focuses on the management of a portfolio of projects instead of specific project delivery. A staff role doesn't carry the glamor or excitement that the project management role provides on a daily basis.

In project management roles, the project manager is the key measuring device guaranteeing all work streams and activities complete on time. Senior managers and executives rely on you to deliver their project on time, with high quality, and in fact beneath or on budget. 

Employee functions don’t essentially give identical reward and recognition, although they're important to the portfolio’s operations. betting on the company’s structure culture, high performers are generally recognized in delivery roles instead of staff or maintenance roles. staff usually hear concerning the hero who reclaimed a troubled project however seldom about the PMO manager who efficiently uses the monetary approval method.

2. The main focus is on process and methodology

Operating in an exceedingly PMO shifts the main focus from project delivery to process management. rather than delivering a project, the method or methodology is that of the project. A PMO manager succeeds once comes are funded, prioritized and initiated correctly, and also the in-flight projects are death penalty per the project management process. 

This is often a major shift for project managers who are aware of taking business needs and reworking them into solutions for his or her business partners.

Understandably, some project managers don’t need to become process professionals, within which the most responsibility is to make sure that others are following the prescribed process, auditing projects or developing structure improvements. However, betting on how the PMO is structured, the PMO manager will adopt project delivery responsibility.

I worked in one organizational PMO wherever all the project managers reported to the PMO manager. Every project manager and cross-functional team were liable for delivery, but the PMO manager conjointly had responsibility to make sure the supplies were delivered, and high level risks and problems were communicated.

3. PMO = Body Work

PMOs have a bent to be the target for administrative work. If clerical employees are unavailable, the PMO is commonly tasked with reassigning cubes, ordering supplies or managing facilities. The PMO becomes a simple target once there's a perception that it's excess capability ANd isn't delivering actual projects. 

PMOs also are usually liable for organizing portfolio management or senior management reviews. Once PMO is an extension of the program manager or business unit head, administrative tasks are a part of the job. Effective PMOs handle the executive work efficiently.

4. Loss of PM delivery ability set

Once a project manager is no longer directly managing projects, losing a bit with day-after-day project management skills is a common concern. In reality, PMO roles will give new opportunities to use project management skills across a good form of projects. 

It should take it slow to realize different project managers’ confidence that the PMO really is aware of one thing concerning project delivery. Once the PMO is recognized as a contributor instead of an inhibitor, the chance to develop project management skills across a portfolio rather than one project becomes a rare opportunity.

5. The PMO is an element of a troubled program

If the PMO opportunity involves a poorly acting program or troubled organization, the PMO assignment may seem to be AN unattractive assignment. In fact, connecting a troubled scenario will give a wonderful chance to demonstrate leadership opportunities. 

However, beware. practiced project managers understand once to avoid failing projects. it {should} appear noble to require on a troubled project and rescue it, but some project opportunities are to be avoided at the least cost. Project managers should still hear WII-FM (What’s In It For Me) before accepting a brand new assignment.

PMO Career Path Recommendation

A PMO role is often a very important stepping-stone in an exceedingly project manager’s career path. The expertise provides additional breadth across program ANd project management processes that support delivery solutions to satisfy structure goals. 

As project managers review PMO opportunities, they conjointly have to take into account the sort of PMO and its level within the organization. If it's a program-level PMO, the chance can develop program management skills. If it is an organizational PMO, the role is going to be heavily staff-focused, however it may also give opportunities to influence an organization’s project management delivery and portfolio management capability.

In an executive-level PMO, project managers will have visibility to high ranks and programs in the company and be ready to observe however management deals with strategic problems. within the right situations, all 3 kinds of PMOs will improve a project manager’s ability set and overall marketability.