The term P3MO model refers to the structure an organisation uses to support, coordinate, and enable decision‑making for business change—whether that change is delivered through projects, programmes, or a wider portfolio. A P3MO model can take different forms depending on the size, maturity, and needs of the organisation. For example, it may include:
- A single Project Management Office providing administrative and delivery support for one or more projects
- A centralised Portfolio Management Office overseeing multiple projects and programmes across the organisation
- Multiple office structure, example, where multiple Project Management Offices support local projects and report to a central Portfolio Management Office
A P3MO can be permanent, forming part of the organisation’s ongoing management structure, or temporary, created to support a specific project or programme and closed once delivery is complete.
Virtual offices may also exist, example staff coming together to discuss project management improvements, with mature management processes are well embedded in the way the organisation works.
Some common P3MO titles:
Portfolio Management Office – A permanent function that supports the definition, prioritisation, and oversight of selected programmes and projects, and evaluates both individual initiatives and the overall portfolio’s contribution to strategic objectives
Programme Management Office – Permanent or temporary office set up to support the definition, delivery and oversight of a group of related projects or projects of a common theme
Project Management Office – Permanent or temporary office established to provide monitoring, coordination, and project support services for selected projects across the organisation or within a specific business area.
The P3MO model design selected for your organisation or division will be based on several factors, which may include:
- Size and scale of the organisation
- Organization’s maturity in portfolio, programme, project management
- Business needs and drivers
- Size and scale of projects and programmes
- Cultural and political environment
- Existing organisational structures
- Geography
Take note, the offices that form a P3MO model, may currently exist under different names and may prefer to go by:
- Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO)
- Change Management Office
- Transformation Office
- Centre of Excellence (COE)
Titles choice is important, though of more importance is reaching a common understanding and agreement on the functions, services and roles of each office. This avoids scope overlap and confusion. Remember when designing a P3MO model, it’s key aim is to act as a:
“Model enabling delivery and decisions of strategic importance”
Our P3MO training and coaching will cover, amongst other items:
- How to design and review your current PMO model
- Roles within a PMO and responsibilities for each role
- A process to design and implement a PMO or broader P3MO model
- Designing a PMO implementation team
- PMO success criteria
- PMO tools, techniques, functions and services
- PMO implementation challenges and barriers
