Postscript for the Smaller PMO

The role of the smaller PMO in this function is to provide as much support as possible to the project manager, who ultimately has responsibility for project team development. To that end, there are three primary activities that the smaller PMO can pursue.

• Project manager leadership training: The PMO can identify training course availability for project managers to enhance their personal leadership effectiveness. This activity can range from simply identifying training courses that individual project managers can pursue on their own (a useful approach for an environment with just a few key project managers) to arranging on-site course delivery (for organizations with a larger cadre of project managers). The focus of this training should be on leadership skills needed within the project management environment. However, other training classes dealing with team building and interpersonal skill development will also be useful. As well, the PMO may want to consider including training opportunities for project team members who are advancing in responsibility within the project management environment.

• Team development process guidance: The PMO will likely be developing or maintaining at least a fundamental set of project management processes, if not a complete project management life cycle methodology. It can then introduce team development guidance into the established project management process at the point where project team formation is conducted. In particular, methods for developing team cohesion, specifying individual team member authority and responsibility, and establishing personal commitments to the project work effort should be included in the process.

• Resolution of distressed team performance: The PMO, as a centralized business function, becomes a repository for both general management practices and lessons learned in the project management environment. It therefore plays a role in collecting, developing, and providing remedies for distressed project teams. This can be either in the form of content made available to the project manager and project team in the project management library or in the form of PMO-led interventions in project team meetings per advance collaboration with the project manager.

The primary objective of the smaller PMO is to make each project manager successful in managing team interactions and performance.