Project Management

PMO Setup and Maturity Development

A project management office can raise delivery performance across an organisation or become a reporting bureaucracy. This course shows how to design or reset a PMO that adds value: choosing the right PMO type, defining services, setting standards and tools, building reporting, developing project capability and measuring PMO maturity and value.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Many PMOs are closed within a few years because leaders cannot see their value. You will learn to build a PMO that executives want to keep.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

PMO design workshops, maturity assessments, case studies of PMO success and failure, and service catalogue development.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain PMO types and functions
Assess project management maturity
Design PMO services and operating model
Establish standards, templates and tools
Create meaningful portfolio reporting
Measure and communicate PMO value

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

PMO managers and staff
Portfolio and programme managers
Senior managers sponsoring PMOs
Project managers moving into PMO roles
Transformation leaders

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

PMO design
Maturity assessment
Standards development
Portfolio reporting
Value demonstration

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1The PMO Landscape

09:00–10:08Types of PMO
10:08–11:00Why PMOs fail
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Why PMOs fail (continued)
11:45–12:53Stakeholder expectations
12:53–14:00Exercise: PMO purpose

Day 2Maturity Assessment

09:00–10:08Maturity models
10:08–11:00Assessing current state
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Assessing current state (continued)
11:45–12:53Target state
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Designing Services

09:00–10:08Service catalogue
10:08–11:00Operating model and staffing
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Operating model and staffing (continued)
11:45–12:53Standards and tools
12:53–14:00Exercise: service design

Day 4Reporting and Capability

09:00–10:08Portfolio dashboards
10:08–11:00Project manager development
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Project manager development (continued)
11:45–12:53Communities of practice
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Demonstrating Value

09:00–10:08PMO metrics
10:08–11:00Executive communication
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Executive communication (continued)
11:45–12:53Roadmap
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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