For High-Performing PMOs, the Training's the Thing

In the mountain of data generated by the State of the PMO research study, there's a good bit of evidence that companies are feeling the pinch. Many PMOs have cut back slightly on services, more are feeling the heat from the executive level, and all are scrambling to perform better and measure that performance.

But one area remains steady, and that is training. Given the usual approach, which is to cut training the minute there's a financial hurdle, this is not only encouraging but important. You can't deliver excellent project management without excellent project managers, and PMOs continue to train, train, train.

Here's a hint why: PMOs operating in companies with the highest organizational performance on an array of measures from financial performance to customer satisfaction, train far more intensively than their low-performing peers. They also train more in leadership, soft skills, and business skills. They have higher percentages of PMP-certified staff, and are more likely to measure project manager competency.

Which came first, high performance or training? It's kind of a chicken-and-egg question. What's certain is that the two reinforce each other,

Stay tuned for the release of the report later this month.

• Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin, Editor-in-Chief
• Training - General