Yesterday it was the PMOSIG Spring Conference and the focus was my favourite subject – the people*. The whole day was about focusing on the people aspects of PMO – how we find them; develop them and understand what it is about them that makes one PMO successful over another.
There are a few takeaways from the conference that I wanted to share: Gold Dust; development influences; and challenging the status quo.
Gold Dust
An excellent term introduced at the conference in relation to understanding more about the individual types of people within a PMO and what “gold dust” is required in those roles to take an average PMO and turn it into an excellent PMO.
So if we think about a PMO Manager what attributes are we looking for – what’s essential, what’s preferred and what’s the icing on the cake – the gold dust? Equally we’re also thinking about what’s not good. I’m sure you can think of your own gold dusts but for me a PMO Manager who has the ability to work with and within the politics in the organisation; has gravitas and likeability; and isn’t an “in-the-details” bore who sits staring at reports on the PC just about does it for me on the gold dust front. Without these gold dust aspects they would be average or good at their job but with them it’ll set them apart.
Development Influences
If you’re looking to advance in PMO it’s crucial that you understand what can influence your development. We don’t develop our careers in isolation – ultimately it’s the organisation’s choice about what they want and need that will form some kind of framework. Sure we will develop as individuals through training, on-the-job experiences, feedback and mentoring but ultimately the type of training, experiences, feedback and mentoring we receive will depend on at least six factors. The type of PMO you work in; the maturity of the PPM organisation; the size of the PMO; the sector you work in; the level of seniority of the PMO and people within it and the future opportunities of the PMO will all influence your career.
Challenging the Status Quo
I love any kind of quirkiness that helps drive a message home – and in summing up the conference it was a reminder that people within the PMO are ultimately more important than processes and tools. As people we have the capability to change and challenge, build relationships and influence outcomes. It was a reminder that we should take the time to stop and check how we do things – and think about how we can do things better.
*Couldn’t resist – POWER to the PEOPLE – Tooting Popular Front
