What specific things do you do for a client when you are on a PMO project?

Question

What specific things do you do for a client when you are on a PMO project? What about your day to day work?

Answer 1

This is difficult to answer, as it really depends on the specific scope and role. I've seen all types of PMO work, but the common theme is that you are making sure that things happen (or at least giving visibility on whether they are happening or not).

You will have an implementation roadmap with key activities and responsibles and it is your job to:

Make sure each person knows what they have to do
Validate if they will meet the deadlines
Understand what their concerns are and if they need help or additional resources
Provide help where appropriate / perform specific analysis (and this is where the work can go from operational problem solving to strategic problem solving)
Give visibility to the client PMO sponsors on any issues (i.e., resources needed, issues with timelines)
Help replanning the timelines
Build status reports

Hope this makes it a bit more clear.

Answer 2

Hi there,

So first of all, the project work/cadence won't be substaintially different than any other project (powerpoint, client meetings, etc.)

In terms of what you actually do for them, you're helping them setup their PMO. This means your establishing their processes (review cadence, meetings, project/program status reporting etc.), their tools (dashboards, trackers, etc.) and people (PMO director, staff, experts, etc.)

Answer 3

Hi there,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

Generally speaking, it really depends on the scope of the engagement. As a strategy consulting company, though, you mostly just set up the PMO, train the client's project manager to work with the tools and then leave as this normally is the start of the implementation phase.
Setting up the PMO typically covers all tasks around developing and defining the central PMO tools and processes and initially filling the tools jointly with the client. You take care of all risks, activities and decisions associated with the project regarding the value (i.e. project financials and financial goals), people (i.e. availability and staffing of project members) and process (i.e. the activities and decisions required to run the project).

In case you want a more detailed discussion on the details, advantages and disadvantages of PMO projects, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen