What is the main role of a project management office (PMO)?

The main role of a project management office (PMO) is to provide support, standards, and governance for project practices. A PMO serves as a centralized body to ensure that project management practices are aligned with organizational goals and that standard methodologies are followed across various projects. This includes developing guidelines, processes, and templates that help project managers execute their responsibilities effectively.

Furthermore, the PMO plays a crucial role in maintaining consistency in project performance and ensuring that all projects adhere to the organization's strategic objectives. By establishing governance frameworks, the PMO can also oversee project compliance and monitor the performance and outcomes of different projects, thereby contributing to improved project success rates and overall efficiency.

In contrast, managing individual projects directly would typically fall under the responsibilities of project managers, not the PMO itself. While financial aspects of projects can be associated with project management, handling all financials is usually a role designated to financial departments or project controllers. Additionally, facilitating communication among project teams is important, but it is generally a task that individual project managers handle as part of their daily operations, rather than the primary role of the PMO. The PMO's broader focus encompasses support and governance, which strengthens project management capabilities across the entire organization.