PMO Setup Methodology
AIA's five-step method for setting up or maturing a PMO: identify critical PM domains, develop a maturity scale per domain, assess current maturity, identify the desired future state, and roadmap the path from current to future.
What it is
A five-step PMO setup sequence: identify the critical project-management domains for the organisation, develop a maturity scale for each domain, assess current maturity, identify the desired future state per domain, then build a roadmap from current to future state. This is the setup-specific counterpart to AIA's broader PMO & Portfolio Management framework (Organisation and Operations domain), reused here with a narrower focus on the initial stand-up sequence.
Problem it solves
PMOs set up without a clear maturity baseline and target tend to over- or under-engineer process, and struggle to justify their own investment case.
When to use
- A PMO is being established for the first time
- An existing PMO needs to be reset against a clear maturity roadmap
Key questions
- What are the critical PM domains for this organisation?
- What does each maturity level look like, per domain?
- What is the current maturity, and what is the realistic desired future state?
Inputs
- Organisational project/programme/portfolio inventory
- Stakeholder input on PM pain points
Steps
- 1Identify critical PM domainsEstablish which project-management domains matter most for this organisation.
- 2Develop a maturity scale per domainDefine what Undefined through Comprehensive maturity looks like for each domain.
- 3Assess current PM maturityRate current maturity per domain against the defined scale.
- 4Identify desired future stateDefine the realistic target maturity per domain.
- 5Roadmap current to future stateSequence the initiatives required to close the maturity gap.
Outputs
- PMO maturity roadmap
- PMO design and governance recommendations
Source visuals
