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What is POSIBLE with Your PMO?

career pmo problem solving Jan 25, 2023
What is POSIBLE with Your PMO?

In our last two newsletter articles, we shared what’s been POSIBLE with The PMO Squad over the past decade. Since10 years is kind of a big deal for us, we appreciate you tolerating our self-reflection!  And, more importantly, we’re glad you’ve decided to come along with us on our journey of PMO transformation. 

Here’s our challenge to you as PMO Leaders in 2023: take the time to reflect on what is POSIBLE when it comes to transforming your PMO in the year ahead. Remember, POSIBLE stands for: 

  • Purpose-Driven 
  • Outcomes Focused 
  • Service-Minded 
  • Integrity Always 
  • Build Inclusion 
  • Leadership Enabled, and 
  • Empower People 

And when we talk about transformation, we mean the type that takes a caterpillar and turns it into a butterfly! Not the puppy to dog, or kitten to cat kind of iteration. It’s common knowledge that a dog is just a grownup puppy, or a cat is an adult kitten. But, to imagine that a butterfly was once a wriggly, ugly, green caterpillar defies logic. 

We’re not calling your PMO ugly. But, The PMO Squad’s 2022 Research Report shows that there needs to be a MAJOR transformation if PMOs are going to survive. Transformation does not happen by adding more reports, refining processes, or hiring new project managers. Rather, it is about making sure that your PMO’s projects are delivering value to your organization. 

So, take the “What’s POSIBLE?” challenge yourself. Honestly answer the questions below and make major shifts where necessary.  

Are you: 

  • Purpose-Driven  
    1. Do you know WHY your PMO exists?  
    2. Or, are you merely following the PMO’s operating procedures as they were before you moved into your position as PMO Leader? 
     
  • Outcomes Focused  
    1. Can you show tangible, bottom-line financial results generated by your PMO?  
    2. Or, do you feel that your main focus is creating reports, templates, and processes and meeting about them? 
     
  • Service-Minded  
    1. Do you give back to others in the company, community, and professional associations?  
    2. Or, do you withhold your knowledge, experience, time and talent from others out of selfishness? 
     
  • Integrity Always  
    1. Are you willing to have uncomfortable conversations with employees, customers, and vendors? Are you prepared to say “no” to less than ethical requests, even if saying “yes” would be to your advantage? 
    2.  Or, do you find yourself compromising your principles or muddling the truth? 
     
  • Build Inclusion  
    1. Do you hire and work with people of all different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, and preferences?  
    2. Or, when you look at your team, does everyone look and act the same way you do? 
     
  • Leadership Enabled  
    1. Do you clear the way and trust your leaders to take the reins themselves by providing them with the necessary training, support, and ground cover?  
    2. Or, do you micromanage your senior staff members, limit their creativity, and expect them to consult with you on every leadership decision they make? 
     
  • Empower People  
    1. Finally, do you give each member of your team the freedom and confidence they need to deliver results?  
    2. Or, do you keep everyone on a short leash, not allowing them to make their own decisions? 

How did you do? The two questions paired with each acronym in POSIBLE are two sides of the same coin. If you identified more frequently with the second question, you have some work to do. That’s okay. The year is young, and you still have plenty of time to turn 2023 into the transformative year it needs to be. 

Looking for a place to get started with your transformation? Dive into the details of The PMO Squad’s 2022 Research Report for plenty of suggestions and ideas of how to transform your PMO in 2023 and become that butterfly we all know you can be! 

Are you lost or struggling to gain traction on your Project Management Journey?

Schedule a Complimentary Strategy Session with one of our experts so that we can discover your challenges, design your solution, and implement success in your projects!

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