The process of establishing a PMO and commencing operations is best undertaken in a manner similar to how projects are undertaken via a series of defined phases with intended goals and deliverables. Having a consolidated plan of action that guides the processes of defining the organization s needs, defining the value that the PMO concept can provide, securing approval to proceed with implementation of a PMO, and developing and implementing the PMO ensures that due diligence is undertaken prior to expending significant amounts of the organization s time and money. An action plan also creates a foundation for success by ensuring that a set of agreed-to plans is in place to guide the PMO development and implementation effort. In this book, the concept of a PMO start-up roadmap will be discussed. A roadmap is used to guide the PMO development and implementation process. It includes a number of important processes that help to facilitate a thoughtful and successful PMO investigation and implementation. Figure 1.4 depicts the key phases of a PMO start-up roadmap.

The roadmap begins with assessing the organization s project management needs. A gap analysis or some other identification of current project management challenges facing the organization often serves as a basis for this analysis. After this phase, a definition of and a vision for how the PMO will address some or all of these needs is established and is used as the basis for creating the sell for the PMO. The selling process involves presenting the PMO...