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The Complete Project Management Office Handbook presents 20 function models for practical application of oversight, control, and support solutions in the project management environment. These functions have a combined influence on the business environment and on the project management environment in the relevant organization. In addition, there are interrelationships among most of the PMO functions: some functional processes or procedures overlap; and some cross-function references will be apparent as each function is examined.
The 20 PMO functions are grouped within the following five function categories:
Practice Management: Provides a common approach and frame of reference for conducting project management activities within an organization. This function area specifies project performance standards; establishes project management processes, tools, and practices; and creates a collaborative project management environment that includes access to project archives and a reference library. It concentrates on developing an effective organizational project management capability at the project level.
Infrastructure Management: Facilitates establishing a professional project management environment. This function area examines the current state of project management; collaborates plans for the future state; and introduces the policies and oversight mechanisms needed to achieve organizational competency and maturity goals. It helps to define the project structure and stakeholder involvement necessary to support successful project performance and provides for administration of facilities and equipment needed to accomplish project objectives.
Resource Integration: Manages the competency, availability, and performance of project resources. This function area enables the PMO to collaborate with resource managers to acquire, assign, and manage project managers and project team members; allows the PMO to administer training in the project management environment; and enables the PMO to shape the career progression of the project manager and support aspects of project team development.
Technical Support: Provides project management advice, counsel, and support to project managers and project teams. This function area leverages the skill, knowledge, and experience of available project management experts to provide mentoring in the project management environment; provides a range of project planning, facilitation, and support activities; plans and conducts routine and special project audits and project management reviews; and provides appropriate project recovery support, as needed.
Business Alignment: Introduces the organization's business perspective into the project environment. This function area oversees project portfolio management; facilitates executive involvement in project management to include overseeing project management contributions to business performance; and manages customer and vendor/contractor relationships, facilitating their roles as project stakeholders.
These function areas are, in turn, further divided into 20 specific PMO functions prescribed for comprehensive and complete coverage of PMO responsibilities in the relevant organization. Each of the 20 chapters of The Complete Project Management Office Handbook presents a comprehensive description of one of these PMO functions. Table 0.1 provides a snapshot of the diverse activities of each function.
Practice Management | Infrastructure Management | Resource Integration | Technical Support | Business Alignment |
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Project Management Methodology
| Project Governance
| Resource Management
| Mentoring
| Project Portfolio Management
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Project Management Tools
| Assessment
| Training and Education
| Planning Support
| Customer Relationships
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Standards and Metrics
| Organization and Structure
| Career Development
| Project Auditing
| Vendor/Contractor Relationships
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Project Knowledge Management
| Facilities and Equipment Support
| Team Development
| Project Recovery
| Business Performance
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