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The PMO's "assessment" function represents an effort to understand the current state and plan the future state of competency, capability, and maturity within the project management environment, the relevant organization, and the enterprise.
Table 6.1 presents an overview of the range of prescribed PMO assessment activities according to each level in the PMO competency continuum.
Project Office | Basic PMO | Standard PMO | Advanced PMO | Center of Excellence |
---|---|---|---|---|
Participates in project management assessments | Conducts essential evaluations
| Conducts complete assessments
| Conducts advanced examinations
| Collaborates the results of assessments throughout the enterprise
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In the absence of a higher level PMO, the project office examines and improves general capabilities in project management as best can be achieved by the project manager and project team members. However, it primarily will be a contributing participant in assessments that are prescribed and conducted across all projects.
Mid-range PMO levels have the responsibility of leading project management assessments to determine competency, capability, and maturity. They will review and select or recommend the assessment models to be applied, plan and conduct the assessments, and prepare action plans for achievement of project management improvement strategies.
The center of excellence performs in an advisory and support role to evaluate and quantify the improvements achieved within the relevant organization, and to collaborate the expansion and use of project management assessments across the enterprise.
PMO assessment activities usually include three components — the identification of an assessment tool or model, the evaluation or assessment, and the action plan to advance competency, capability, and maturity. Assessment has alignment with the PMO "standards and metrics" function (see Chapter 3), as assessments are generally conducted to determine how well standards are being achieved. There also is likely to be some general link to other PMO functions as assessment results identify strengths and weaknesses in various areas of project management oversight, control, and support.
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