1. Lessons From a PMO Startup Bob Cutler, PMP

2. Organizational Background Services organization Services organization Global scope Global scope New PMO New PMO

3. PMO Model Proven Models: Proven Models: 1.Center of excellence 2.Project owner 3.Project support Selected model: none of the above... Selected model: none of the above...

4. PMO Initial Responsibilities PM Certification PM Certification Training programs Training programs Troubled projects Troubled projects Project compliance audits Project compliance audits Skills assessment Skills assessment Portfolio management Portfolio management

5. PMO Staffing Senior people drawn locally Senior people drawn locally Capability disparity within the PMO Capability disparity within the PMO Part-time PMO participants Part-time PMO participants Open headcount Open headcount

6. Metrics Focus on quantity not quality Focus on quantity not quality –Procedural compliance audits –Methodology audits –Statement of Work review (not approval) –Status report reviews  Processes do not ensure success!!!

7. Support Systems Different systems in different regions Different systems in different regions Project metrics generated manually Project metrics generated manually Manual portfolio rollup Manual portfolio rollup  Obsolete, inconsistent information

8. Global Standard Processes Processes standardized based on assumed project management maturity levels Processes standardized based on assumed project management maturity levels –Reality: maturity varied by geography No organizational change management No organizational change management –Email used for most communications –Video/audio conference for the rest

9. Tiered Compliance First, a definition... Different tiers for different topics Different tiers for different topics –Size, risk, project type Ongoing debates* about tiers Ongoing debates* about tiers *i.e. arguments

10. Measurement Tools Tools drive the process Tools drive the process Users lack of understanding of the real goal Users lack of understanding of the real goal Easily “gamed” Easily “gamed” Tool de jour Tool de jour Project tracking spreadsheets? (!) Project tracking spreadsheets? (!)

11. When Projects Explode... Demand Demand –Fix it immediately! Result Result –Address symptoms not root causes –No lessons learned

12. Good Cop or Bad Cop? PMO reports noncompliance only PMO reports noncompliance only –Financial reports, status reports, change orders, non-billable time, quality reviews, risk analysis... Executive perspective Executive perspective –Compliance is mandatory Project manager perspective Project manager perspective –What’s in it for me? (WIIFM) –Avoid compliance to reduce workload

13. Questions? Contact Info: robert.cutler@comcast.net 916-768-7543