From the course: Delivering Results with a Business-focused PMO

Context, not constraints

From the course: Delivering Results with a Business-focused PMO

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Context, not constraints

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- A project only succeeds when it delivers on benefit. That is, it achieves the business value it was approved for. In other words, a successful project is one that generates a return on the investment made in it. And if the PMO is helping a business improve project performance, then it must contribute to the ability of projects to generate that return. That's where the business focused PMO delivers. It connects project managers and teams with business strategy. Helping them understand why projects are being done, and how they contribute. It provides practical guidance to those project teams when changes are needed, helping them adjust projects to remain in line with the business goals while minimizing disruption. Let's head to an example where a PMO leader meets with a project team facing some constraints. - We need to figure out what to do. Our competitor announced their new product is dropping in three months. - If we cut out some features and get two more developers on board, we can beat the competitor to market. - Maybe. We need to analyze the plan. - Hang on. That's not what I'm asking. - What do you mean? You said we had to beat the competitor. - No, I didn't. I said we need to figure out what to do. Remember why we're doing this project. It's to improve our market share. - Right, but if the competitor beats us to market, they'll steal customers and we'll lose market share. We'll fail. - What if we change things completely? Say we delay launch for another two months and add in that new feature you were investigating. That'll help us win back more customers than we lose because no one else has it. - That's amazing. I hadn't thought of that, but you're right. It's not about managing the constraints, it's about getting the business results the best way we can. - Have you been in a similar situation like this teams'? What decision came out of that meeting? In this case, the PMO head is helping the team separate what's good for the project from what's good for the business. Business focused PMOs ensure project investments generate a return by keeping the emphasis on business benefits, not mechanical project delivery metrics. This helps project managers and teams understand what's really important. Guiding them to achieve that, and making sure everyone wins. You can do this in your own businesses. Focus on why work is being done, rather than what the work is. You'll soon start thinking in terms of business value.

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