Building a Successful Project Management Office

What is this course about?

Many organizations today must manage multiple projects or portfolios. They are faced with the challenge of creating and maintaining a central Project Management Office (PMO) to develop formal project management processes, standards, tools and techniques.

This course provides you with the skills to build an effective PMO. You learn how to structure a PMO that provides a means of centralization and standardization and greater project oversight. You also gain the skills for improved communication and ongoing training in a multiple project environment.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for project managers, program managers, directors, team leaders and anyone working in a portfolio management capacity.

What background do I need?

Project management experience at the level of Course 296: Project Management: Skills for Success, or Course 340: Project Management for Software Development, is assumed.

Experience working with or managing a PMO is helpful but not assumed.

How is this course structured?

This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlus^TM-an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through case studies, role playing, and group and individual activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization.

What is a Project Management Office (PMO)?

A PMO is a department or group within an organization tasked with centralizing, standardizing and coordinating multiple projects. The responsibilities of a PMO are varied and range from providing project management support functions and guidance to actually being responsible for the direct management of a project.

Why should my organization have a PMO?

A PMO helps customize an organization's standards for project management processes and procedures. Establishing a PMO increases the ability to control and predict project outcomes and project success. These standards contribute to improved results from projects, programs and initiatives across an organization.

Does this course cover Microsoft Project?

Not explicitly. However, the tools and techniques used in this course are equally applicable to program management and project management efforts.

For a course specifically on Microsoft Project, please see Course 3702: Microsoft^® Project 2010: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, or Course 299: Microsoft^® Project 2007: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, depending on the product version you are interested in using. Learning Tree also offers Course 924: Microsoft^® Project Server 2010 for Enterprise Project Management: Hands-On, for those interested in centralizing and managing enterprise project data.

I only have six months of project management experience. Should I take this course?

If you have to interact with a project management office or will be involved in the development of a PMO, this course will benefit you.

Is this a program management course?

Yes. This course provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to design and build an effective project management office.

What is a PMIS?

A Project Management Information System (PMIS) consists of tools and techniques used to gather, integrate and distribute the output of project management processes. The PMIS supports all aspects of the project from initiating through closing.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much of this course is hands-on?

Approximately 70 percent of this course is spent in hands-on activities. Through an evolving case study, you gain the skills to create and maintain a PMO that meets the current demands and constraints of a multi-project environment. Activities include:

• Developing and customizing a PMO charter implementation plan
• Defining a comprehensive controls and oversight policy
• Customizing a knowledge management plan
• Structuring the key components of a PMIS
• Assessing and aligning organizational priorities with project approval procedures
• Mapping stakeholders within a central PMO communications plan
• Performing strategic risk analysis across the enterprise
• Developing ongoing project management training and educational plans

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 17 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276: Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

In addition to the prerequisite, Course 296: Project Management: Skills for Success, or Course 340: Project Management for Software Development, the following related courses may be of interest:

• Course 287: Complex Project Management
• Course 346: Project Leadership: Building High-Performance Teams
• Course 920: Preparing for the Program Management Professional (PgMP)^® Exam
• Course 286: Preparing for the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)^® Exam
• Course 248: Preparing for the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)^® Exam
• Course 276: Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam
• Course 3601: Preparing for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)^® Exam

US Dates