What is the primary function of a Project Management Office (PMO)?

The primary function of a Project Management Office (PMO) is to provide support and governance for project management practices across the organization. This entails establishing standardized methodologies, ensuring compliance with best practices, and facilitating communication among project teams and stakeholders. A well-functioning PMO will support project managers through training, resource allocation, and guidance on processes, helping to improve project outcomes and align them with strategic business goals.

Focusing solely on creating new project teams from scratch, for instance, wouldn’t encompass the broader responsibilities of a PMO, which involve organizational efficiency and consistency rather than just team formation. The notion of completely eliminating all project risks is unrealistic, as risk is inherent in project management and cannot be removed entirely; rather, professional PMOs aim to effectively identify and manage those risks. Moreover, while increasing the number of projects might seem beneficial, it isn’t the primary goal of a PMO; the focus is more about the quality of project execution and ensuring that the right projects, aligned with strategic objectives, are undertaken and managed proficiently.