In order for the project to run successfully in a company or business, the person needed is a Project Management Office or PMO. PMO helps companies manage and optimize their resources so they can complete ongoing projects.
Thus, it cannot be denied that PMO is an important matter in the field of project management. In this article, we will provide an overview of what PMO is. Come on, see the following article!
Project Management Officer Overview
A project management office is a team or department, internal or external, that establishes and maintains project management standards within a company.
The PMO Department records the progress status of each project undertaken and ensures that the tasks are carried out as best as possible.
PMO also ensures that the company can complete each project on time and according to a predetermined budget. Usually, in a project management office department, there are several positions, such as:
- Director
- Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Project Scheduler
- Project Planner
- Project Controllers
- Administrative Staff
Job Description and Responsibilities
PMO is responsible for implementing projects that improve or increase the effectiveness of performance in administrative services with a low level of complexity and an estimated cost of up to USD 1mio or depending on the portfolio that has been determined.
PMO is an entity that defines and maintains standardized processes related to project, program, or portfolio management.
1. Manage shared resources across all projects managed by the PMO.
2. Identify and develop the best project management methodologies, practices, and standards.
3. Coaching, mentoring, training, and supervision.
4. Monitor compliance with project management standards, policies, procedures, and patterns through project audits.
5. Develop and manage project policies, procedures, templates, and other shared documentation (organizational assets).
6. Coordination of cross-project communications.
7. Lead the transfer of knowledge.
8. Stopping the project.
9. and other decisions on projects considered the best for the organization in the future.
Types of PMO
There are several types of Project Management Offices in organizations. Each class also varies in the level of control and influence on projects within the organization.
1. Support (Supportive)
Supportive-type PMOs provide a consultative role for your current project by offering templates, practices, training, access to information, and the best lessons from other projects. This type of PMO also functions as a project repository. Generally, the level of control provided by this type of PMO tends to be low.
2. Control (Controlling)
This type of PMO supports the team but requires obedience from the group in various ways. The level of control offered by this type of PMO is moderate. Compliance referred to here can be in the form of:
- Implementation of project management frameworks or methodologies
- Use of specific templates, forms, and tools
- Conformance with the project governance framework
3. Direction (Directive)
The directive PMO controls the project by managing the project directly. Later, the project manager will be assigned to report now to the PMO. The level of control provided by this type of PMO is relatively high.
PMO is the natural link between the organization’s portfolio, programs, projects, and measurement system (balanced scorecard).
Therefore, it is not surprising that 8 out of 10 organizations in the world have inserted this one role to support the smooth running of their business.
Skills Required
If you are interested in working in a project management office team, you need a specific skill set to be successful. Launching from Indeed, here are some of the skills needed.
1. Attention to detail
When assessing a project, workers in the PMO field must pay attention to detail to ensure that the projects being and have been carried out are by the company’s mission.
2. Communication
The PMO will communicate with many departments when working on projects. The PMO must be able to communicate well both in writing and verbally. Not only that but active listening skills must also be used to understand the needs of others.
3. Project management
To help a company achieve its goals, workers in the PMO field must be able to prioritize and manage the various projects the company is working on.
4. Good vision
When working on a project, the PMO can see the company’s long and short-term goals to make the project fit with the company’s mission.
5. Organization
Organizing skills are needed by PMOs because you have to track the progress of each project. With this capability, you can organize essential data and information so that it doesn’t fall apart when needed.
6. Problem-solving
When there are delays in work timelines or excessive budgets, the PMO can use its problem-solving skills to find creative ways so that the company can get back to working on projects according to its goals.
7. Risk management
PMOs sometimes have to take risks and try new ideas for a project to be successful. On the other hand, having a backup plan is necessary if a new idea doesn’t pan out.
8. Keep calm under pressure
PMOs manage multiple tasks simultaneously and can also face challenges when working on projects. Therefore, PMO needs to react calmly and appropriately to overcome these challenges.
Career Prospect
Almost every company must have a project. That is, nearly every company can use the capabilities of a project manager.
Launching from the Project Management Institute (PMI), employers or companies need around 2.2 million project management roles each year until 2027.
Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and construction, information services, finance and insurance, and management services are expected to experience the most significant growth in project management.
That is an explanation of the project management profession. Indeed, a project manager is a job that requires a lot of skills to hone.
However, if you are willing to keep learning and have the courage to take on challenges, you might be a good fit for a career as a project manager.
Project Management Officer Salaries
A project management officer’s salary can depend on a number of factors – level of experience, location, industry and average project budget.
According to a survey by the Project Management Institute, Switzerland reports the highest median salaries for professionals in project management. Here is a list of project management officer salaries around the world:
- Annual average project management officer salary in Switzerland – $132,086
- Annual average project management officer salary in US – $116,000
- Annual average project management officer salary in Australia – $101,381
- Annual average project management officer salary in Germany – $96,987
- Annual average project management officer salary in Netherlands – $93,839
- Annual average project management officer salary in UK – $83,410
- Annual average project management officer salary in UAE – $81,665
- Annual average project management officer salary in Singapore – $71,279
- Annual average project management officer salary in Saudi Arabia – $63,944
- Annual average project management officer salary in India – $28,750