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PMO Maturity Model Assessment

How mature is your PMO? This guide, and PMO Maturity Assessment tool, is a quick and easy way to help you understand the effectiveness of your PMO.

What is PMO Maturity?

Traditionally, a project management office (PMO) was a management structure and knowledge repository used to address a specific issue. These came in all forms like, say, the application of standardized project governance processes across all projects in a department or organization. Not much, essentially, has changed.

Once the mission of the PMO is agreed, it’s recommended it should be assessed annually. If significant organizational changes take place – e.g. if your company grows rapidly – the mission should be revisited more regularly. A commitment to improving these templates and processes will result in your PMO evolving, maturing and becoming a driver of strategic business alignment based on the PMO maturity model.

There are many benefits to having mature PMO processes in place. According to the Pulse of the Profession survey, which is published by the Project Management Institute (PMI), organizations that align their enterprise-wide PMO to strategy had 38% more projects meet original goals and business intent compared to those who did not. They also had 33% fewer projects deemed failures. These are significant markers.

The 5 Levels of the PMO Maturity Model

The PMI states there are five levels of PMO maturity. Although the labels or titles of the stages may vary, the principles are the same as outlined in the PMO maturity model:

1. Initial

Processes are defined; budgets are estimated; no formal management tools are used; and there is minimal integration with the rest of the organization which is typical of the earliest stage in any maturity model.

2. Developing

Project processes are standardized; a PMO is established, but project management is still an emerging discipline. Reporting is basic and high-level.

3. Defined

Standardized, repeatable processes are in place across the organization. Cross-functional groups and collaboration is the norm. Reporting is much more detailed. This reflects a more advanced maturity model stage.

4. Managed

PMO processes are integrated with organizational processes. Risk benefits realization is tracked. The portfolio of projects is modelled and optimized, which aligns with higher maturity levels.

5. Optimizing

The PMO drives the teams that support it, measuring project progress and efficiency. Change management and communications are core capabilities. Rapid strategy execution is the focus of enterprise programs, demonstrating the value of a complete maturity model.

How to Assess PMO Maturity

This simple questionnaire will help our consultants determine gaps in your practices, linking them to maturity levels and your organization’s current PMO maturity level. The maturity assessment calculator covers five categories:

  1. Accuracy and timeliness of information

  2. Tracking and management of benefits

  3. Resource management

  4. Management and delivery consistency

  5. Unplanned costs and issues

There are three statements in the dropdown under each category. Please read them carefully and select the one which best describes the situation in your organization. A PMO maturity score will be generated, based on the PMO maturity model. The answers will also be used by us to gain an understanding of gaps in your current practices. We can then advise you on steps to improve your processes and add more value to your organization.

PMO Maturity Assessment Tool

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Learn More about PMO Maturity

Our team of consultants will identify gaps in your current practices and outline the benefits of improving and optimizing your processes. In the meantime, if you’re considering digitizing your PMO this post “5 Steps to Building an Effective Digital PMO” outlines how you can make your digital PMO a success by applying proven maturity models.

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