Cambridge
Academy
In London

Introduction

A strong PMO improves project delivery by setting clear governance, standards, and reporting that help leaders make faster decisions. This practical program builds core skills in defining the PMO’s role, establishing governance and controls, standardizing templates, running portfolio routines, and creating simple dashboards that improve visibility and accountability.

Course Objectives

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

·        Explain PMO types, roles, and value to the organization

·        Set up governance: decision rights, committees, and controls

·        Define simple project standards, templates, and stage gates

·        Establish portfolio reporting and review routines

·        Improve delivery performance with practical PMO tools

Target Audience

This course is designed for:

·        PMO specialists and coordinators

·        Project managers and program managers

·        Strategy, transformation, and change teams

·        Department representatives supporting projects

·        Anyone involved in project governance and reporting 

Course Outlines

Day 1: PMO Foundations and Operating Model

·        What a PMO is: services, authority, and scope

·        PMO types: supportive, controlling, directive

·        PMO maturity levels and how to assess them

·        Aligning PMO work to strategy and business priorities

·        Activity: Define your PMO purpose and service catalog

Day 2: Governance Structure and Decision Making

·        Governance basics: roles, responsibilities, and RACI

·        Committees: steering, portfolio board, working groups

·        Decision rights and escalation paths

·        Stage gates and approval points (simple model)

·        Workshop: Design a governance structure and RACI

Day 3: Standards, Methods, and Controls

·        Minimum project standards (the “must-have” set)

·        Core templates: charter, plan, RAID log, status report

·        Scope, schedule, and change control basics

·        Document control and versioning routines

·        Activity: Build a simple PMO template pack

Day 4: Portfolio Oversight and Reporting

·        Portfolio basics: pipeline, prioritization, and capacity overview

·        Status reporting rules: RAG, milestones, risks, decisions needed

·        Dashboards: what executives need (simple, consistent)

·        Monthly portfolio review meeting structure

·        Case study: Fix inconsistent project reporting and RAG ratings

Day 5: Implementation, Adoption, and Continuous Improvement

·        Rolling out governance and standards (phased approach)

·        Training and coaching project teams on PMO tools

·        Measuring PMO performance: delivery, compliance, value

·        Continuous improvement: lessons learned and maturity roadmap

·        Final project: Present a PMO governance framework + 90-day rollout plan