Postscript for the Smaller PMO

Establishing a formal mentoring program can be a significant undertaking for a small to modest-size PMO. Unless fully qualified resources are plentiful, a formal mentoring program is not likely to be a high priority when establishing PMO functionality. However, that should not sway a PMO of any size from pursuing the benefits of providing such professional development services within the project management environment.

The smaller PMO should establish formal or informal means to make one or more professional project management resources available at least to project managers. The head of the PMO or other senior project manager might initially serve in this capacity. The consideration is to provide a point of contact for project managers to turn to with fundamental questions and concerns. In a sense, if you have a PMO, you already have a project management mentoring resource.