Why Don’t Executives “Get” the PMO? Bridging the Gap to Drive PMO Success
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In our latest webinar guest expert Alexander David (CEO of Value Matrix) joined our CEO, Stuart Easton, to tackle a pressing question that PMO professionals often face: "Why don't my executives support the PMO?". The discussion cantered on building buy-in, addressing executive pain points, and transforming the PMO's perception from a cost center to a value-driving partner. Dive into the recording below to catch up on the insights...
The Executive Disconnect
Executives often view the PMO as overly focused on processes and tools, rather than delivering business value. Your execs care deeply about outcomes such as increased revenue, strategic alignment, and operational efficiency. The key challenge lies in translating PMO activities into terms that resonate with these priorities, so that you're speaking the same language as your execs.
Common Symptoms of a Lack of Buy-In
Some tell-tale signs of poor executive support include:
- Ignored PMO reports.
- Delayed decision-making or approvals.
- Projects being prioritized based on individual executive interests rather than strategic needs.
- The perception of the PMO as a bureaucratic hurdle rather than a strategic enabler.
Breaking Through: The Case for Change
Alexander introduced the concept of a "Case for Change" as a dynamic approach to gaining executive buy-in. Unlike a traditional business case, the Case for Change focuses on identifying high-value pain points and delivering quick wins through iterative 90-day cycles. This agile approach fosters continuous improvement while maintaining executive engagement.
This is a really powerful approach to getting senior-executive buy-in for lifting the PMO from a project execution cost centre to a strategic enabler. Book a short call with us to explore some tailored strategies and persuasive arguments to win executive support for your PMO.
Addressing Executive Pain Points
The conversation highlighted three core challenges that often prevent executives from embracing the PMO:
- Lack of Visibility: Executives need a clear understanding of project statuses and strategic alignment.
- Weak Controls: Without robust governance, executives struggle to see the PMO’s value in mitigating risks or ensuring consistent delivery.
- Execution Gaps: Misaligned resources and inefficiencies can lead to delayed or failed projects.
Building a High-Performing PMO
Transforming the PMO into a strategic partner involves:
- Speaking the executive's language by focusing on value and outcomes.
- Implementing systematic, real-time lessons learned to avoid repeating mistakes.
- Prioritizing resource planning and strategic alignment to deliver meaningful results.
Final Thoughts
The PMO’s role is to act as a bridge between executive vision and operational execution. By addressing executive concerns, delivering incremental improvements, and demonstrating clear value, the PMO can evolve into a trusted business partner.
If you missed the webinar, don’t worry - these ideas are just the starting point for reshaping how your PMO engages with leadership. Stay tuned for future sessions as we continue to explore strategies for PMO success.
And remember - the bridge you're trying to build is between the executive team (strategic planning) and the PMO (operational execution), and this is something the PMO leader can't do alone. It needs really strong leadership buy-in and sponsorship. So, if you want to kick start the process of making that case for change, get in touch.
