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The PMO Lifecycle: Building, Running, and Shutting Down
The PMO Lifecycle: Building, Running, and Shutting Down by William Dow provides step-by-step instructions for building, running, and shutting down a PMO, giving you the confidence to manage it and implement new processes and tools.
With this book, you’ll gain increased efficiency and success in building, running, and shutting down a PMO. You’ll acquire industry-leading knowledge and techniques to optimize your PMO, including agile methods to maximize performance. The book offers practical tools like dashboards and reporting systems to track progress and a major update to the Tactical Guide for Building a PMO, featuring new charts and graphs. Inside, you’ll find a step-by-step guide, strategies to enhance your PMO’s efficiency, and detailed instructions to help you implement and manage the PMO effectively.
Rating: 7.1 – The PMO Lifecycle: Building, Running, and Shutting Down by William Dow offers a detailed roadmap for setting up, managing, and dismantling a PMO. Available in both Kindle and paperback formats on Amazon, the book is structured across 454 pages and divided into four key sections: “PMO Fundamentals,” “Building a PMO,” “Running a PMO,” and “Shutting Down a PMO,” with a total of 22 chapters. The author “William Dow” is a well-respected expert in project management, acknowledged by the esteemed Project Management Institute (PMI). In addition to authoring six books on project management and PMOs, he has also established a strong presence in the industry through a wealth of blog posts, white papers, and articles on project management. His expertise and contribution are highly regarded and respected within the field.
This book is strongly recommended for professionals working in the PMO field, especially those looking to set up and manage their PMO efficiently. It acts as a valuable resource to assist readers in navigating the intricacies of establishing and operating a PMO, providing guidance from the initial stages to closure. Owning a copy of this book can offer PMO professionals a comprehensive guide to enrich their understanding and skills in the field, making it a valuable asset for their professional development. Readers and reviewers have lauded the book for its seamless and thorough presentation of ideas and the clarity with which concepts are explained. A noteworthy enhancement in this edition is the incorporation of Chapter Review Questions and Answers after each chapter. This addition not only adds value to the book but also allows readers to solidify their comprehension of the material through interactive engagement. A standout feature of the book is its detailed exploration of shutting down a PMO, a crucial yet sometimes neglected facet of project management. The author not only outlines the necessary steps for closing a PMO but also delves into the rationale behind such a decision, which may not always be linked to the failure of the PMO. This holistic approach distinguishes the book and positions it as an invaluable resource for individuals in project management, particularly those engaged in PMOs.
The book is available on Kindle and in paperback.
The design quality of this book is significantly improved over that of previous publications, particularly the electronic version. The clarity of the features, illustrative diagrams, and font size have been enhanced, making it easier for readers to engage with the content. Unlike some other books, this one does not rely heavily on color but instead uses black, white, and gray to convey information. Overall, while the book’s design is considered moderate in terms of satisfaction, the readability and visual presentation improvements are notable. The book is 454 pages, covering 22 chapters and four main parts of interest.
This book is closely aligned with current trends in Project Management Office (PMO) practices and provides a thorough guide on establishing, operating, and discontinuing a PMO in a professional manner. The content is developed in accordance with international standards set by PMI, ensuring that the concepts reflect the latest updates in project management theory.
Designed for individuals seeking a tactical approach to PMO management, the book stands out for its inclusion of a comprehensive process for PMO closure. The author highlights that shutting down a PMO does not necessarily signify failure, as various factors can lead to its discontinuation. Furthermore, the author enriches the book with a wealth of insights and practical advice drawn from personal experience, offering valuable perspectives for effectively running a PMO.
The book is clear and well-structured in its flow of ideas, along with the clarity with which concepts are presented. A notable enhancement in this edition is the addition of Chapter Review Questions and Answers at the end of each chapter, which offers readers additional value and opportunities to reinforce their understanding of the material. However, it has been noted that Chapters 10 through 12 provide extensive details on portfolio, program, and project management frameworks, which, in our view, are not essential to the book’s primary objectives.
This comprehensive book is a practical guide for individuals aspiring to start a career in the PMO and those already working there. It connects theoretical concepts with real-world applications, addressing the establishment, management, and potential dissolution of PMOs. The book provides highly practical and actionable insights with detailed, straightforward guidance for implementation. It is highly recommended for PMO professionals, offering essential information and strategic advice for navigating the complexities of PMO governance.
One notable feature is the table in the introduction that aids decision-making for PMO setup. Additionally, the author emphasizes the decisions required at the end of each chapter concerning the topics covered, allowing readers to construct a comprehensive roadmap for their PMO implementation.
The book is a valuable resource and strategic guide within the PMO field. It provides readers with deep insights and significant contributions, introduces innovative concepts and methodologies, and occasionally challenges conventional viewpoints, even if it does not always present alternative solutions. The book enhances existing knowledge by offering fresh perspectives and ideas, deepening the overall understanding of the subject. Its inventive examples and scenarios feature unique and engaging descriptions that facilitate comprehension. The author builds on established concepts while offering practical guidance on their implementation.
The book includes numerous illustrative examples that greatly enhance and support the reader’s understanding of the author’s arguments or points. Additionally, the author supplements the book with various surveys, adding further value and credibility to the content. This combination of illustrative examples and survey data strengthens the book’s effectiveness in conveying information and engaging readers. Additionally, the author has integrated many examples from his personal experience (which we have considered as case studies); however, it does not provide a detailed analysis. The experience is just described to illustrate the concepts explained.
As a recognized expert in the field of project management by the Project Management Institute (PMI), specifically in the development and management of PMOs, Mr. William Dow has established a strong presence through numerous blog posts, white papers, and articles on project management. Additionally, with six published books on project management and PMOs, the author’s expertise and contributions to the field are widely acknowledged and respected.
This book is highly recommended for individuals working in the field of PMOs, especially those looking to establish and manage their PMO office effectively. It provides a comprehensive guide to help readers navigate building and operating a PMO, guiding them from the initial steps to the ultimate goal. Having this book on your shelf can serve as a valuable resource for PMO professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in this area.
Furthermore, we emphasize the author’s unique approach to ensuring knowledge retention. This includes:
(a) Chapter Review Questions: Each chapter begins with review questions highlighting key takeaways. Answers to these questions are provided at the end of each chapter, reinforcing the material covered. (b) Practical Tool for Knowledge Application: The author advises creating an Excel file to compile company profile information as the reader progresses through the book. This practical tool assists in building a PMO tailored to the reader’s organization.
We believe that the referencing in the book could be significantly improved in several areas:
Articles on PMO Failures: The references to PMO failures are inadequately supported. Only a link to Harry Hall’s website is provided, and Nortje’s article or other relevant sources are not mentioned.
Unattributed Statistics: Numbers presented without proper citation, such as the percentage of PMOs closing within three years from the Association of Project Managers and the on-schedule project statistics from an IBM study on page 35, lack credibility and need proper referencing to support their validity.
Author’s Experiences: The author’s personal experiences are mentioned but lack detailed context, such as the specific company where the project was conducted or the type of project. This omission limits the ability to assess these examples’ relevance and applicability fully. Improving these areas will enhance the book’s credibility and provide readers with more reliable and contextually rich information.
The book includes valuable diagrams and tables that assist readers in understanding the concepts presented. The quality of these visuals is high, making it easier for readers to grasp the content even though they are in black, white, and gray colors. However, there is room for improvement in editing these visuals to enhance their clarity and effectiveness in conveying information. This could involve adjustments in color contrasts, labels, or overall layout to further enhance the understanding and visual appeal of the content.