An Intensive 10-day Training Course
Excellence in Project Office Leadership
Project Governance and the PMO


Course Introduction
This Excellence in Project Office Leadership training course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding and practical skills in the realms of the Project Management Office (PMO), project governance and effective implementation of stage gate processes in your projects. Whether you're looking to establish a PMO from the ground up, enhance your existing PMO operations, or deepen your understanding of project governance and stage gate processes, this training course is ideal to meet your needs. Our goal is to empower you to align project delivery seamlessly with your organization’s strategic objectives, ensuring not just the success of individual projects but also contributing significantly to the broader organizational goals.
Module 1 begins with a deep dive into the fundamentals of PMO setup. You'll learn the strategic importance of a PMO in an organization, including how to align it with business objectives, and how to effectively establish its structure and functions. We'll explore best practices for resourcing, tools, and processes that ensure a PMO operates efficiently and delivers value.
In Module 2, we shift our focus to project governance. Here, you'll gain insights into creating robust governance frameworks that guide decision-making, manage risks, and ensure project alignment with corporate strategy. This section is crucial for understanding how effective governance is a cornerstone for project success.
The final phase of our training course centres around stage gate management, a critical aspect for managing projects systematically. You'll learn how to implement stage gate processes to evaluate project progress, make informed go/no-go decisions, and ensure that projects meet their objectives within scope, time, and budget constraints.
Throughout this training course, we emphasize real-world application enabling you to apply the concepts learned in practical scenarios.
Modules
This training course is split into two modules:
MODULE I - Project Governance and Stage Gate Management
MODULE II - Project Management Office (PMO)
Each module is structured and can be taken as a stand-alone training course; however, delegates will maximise their benefits by taking Module 1 and 2 back-to-back as a 2-week training course.
Objectives
By the end of this training course, participants will achieve:
- Comprehensive Understanding of PMO Functions and Structures
- Understanding of PMO Setup and Strategic Alignment
- Understanding of Good Practices in PMO Operation and Continuous Improvement
- Enhanced Understanding of Project Governance Frameworks
- Development of Skills Required in Implementing Stage Gate Processes
- Enhanced Leadership and Stakeholder Management Competencies
Training Methodology
This training course will utilize a variety of proven learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This training course includes many examples, interactive activities, exercises, Q&A sessions and learning from other participants. The aim is practical application of the processes and skills learned in setting up and operating a successful PMO and assuring rigorous project governance
Organisational Impact
In the project driven world, control and alignment of projects and programs is critical to the successful delivery of projects and the realisation of benefits in alignment with organizational objectives. By sending individuals on this training course, the organization will gain a more skilled and strategic-focused workforce, improved project management capabilities, and an enhanced ability to meet and exceed its operational and strategic objectives.
Specific benefits include:
- Improved Project Success Rates
- Enhanced Strategic Alignment
- Enhanced PMO Setup and Management
- Better Risk Management
- Increased Efficiency and Productivity
- Improved Decision-Making
- Better Stakeholder Engagement
- Enhanced Adaptability to Change
- Competitive Advantage
- Increased Organizational Agility
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Continuous Improvement Culture
Personal Impact
By the end of this Excellence in Project Leadership training course, your potential contribution to your organization will be significantly enhanced in important ways:
- Enhanced Leadership Skills
- Improved Decision-Making Abilities
- Better Risk Management Skills
- Advanced Organizational Skills
- Strategic Thinking and Planning
- Improved Problem-Solving Skills
- Knowledge of Best Practices
- Personal Growth
- Technical Skill Enhancement
- Critical Thinking Development
- Resilience Building
Who Should Attend?
This Excellence in Project Office Leadership training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals involved in projects, programs, portfolios, strategic planning, and associated supporting job roles. This training course will particularly benefit:
- Project Managers and Team Leaders
- Program Managers and Portfolio Managers
- PMO Directors/Heads
- Project Sponsors and Executives
- Strategy Planners
- Senior Executives (such as CIOs, COOs, VPs)
- Business Analysts
- Change Managers
- Financial Analysts/Controllers
- Government and Public Sector Officials
- IT Managers/Directors
- Operations Managers
- Product Development Managers
- Quality Assurance and Risk Managers
Course Outline
Module 1: Project Governance and Stage Gate Management
Day One
Introduction to Project Governance Overview of Project Governance
Overview of Project Governance
- Definition and importance
- Key principles and frameworks
Roles and Responsibilities
- Governance bodies (e.g., steering committees, project boards)
- Responsibilities of project sponsors, project managers, and stakeholders
Alignment with Organizational Strategy
- Integrating project goals with business strategy
- Case studies of successful project governance
Day Two
Foundations of Stage Gate Management
Introduction to Stage Gate Processes
- Definition and benefits
- Overview of various stages and gates
Stage Gate Models
- Traditional vs. agile approaches
- Customizing stage gate models for different types of projects
Key Activities at Each Stage
- Development, review, and decision-making processes
Day Three
Implementing Effective Project Governance
Setting Up Governance Structures
- Establishing effective governance committees and roles
- Communication and reporting structures
Risk Management and Compliance
- Identifying and managing project risks
- Ensuring compliance with governance standards
Stakeholder Engagement and Management
- The importance of strong leadership
- Strategies for effective stakeholder communication and involvement
Day Four
Managing Projects through Stage Gates
Detailed Look at Each Stage Gate
- Criteria for passing through each gate
- Handling project deliverables and documentation
Dealing with Project Variations and Changes
- Managing scope changes and project pivots
- Decision-making processes for progressing or terminating projects
Day Five
Integration and Advanced Topics
Integrating Project Governance and Stage Gate Management
- Ensuring coherence and alignment between governance and stage gate processes
Advanced Topics
- Leveraging technology in project governance and stage gate management
- Emerging trends and future outlook
Close Out and Action Plans
- Action plans
- Course wrap-up and feedback
Module 2: Project Management Office (PMO)
Day Six
Foundations of PMO
Introduction to PMO
- Understanding the PMO: Definition, Importance, and Evolution
- Types and Functions of PMOs
The Role of PMO in Organizational Strategy
- Strategic Alignment as a Key Function of the PMO
- Aligning PMO Objectives with Organizational Goals
Governance and Frameworks in PMO
- Governance Structures for Effective Management
- Overview of PMO Frameworks (PMBOK, Agile, PRINCE2)
Day Seven
Planning and Implementing a PMO
Designing a PMO
- Steps in Setting Up a PMO
- Tailoring the PMO to Organizational Needs
Tools and Techniques for PMO Success
- Essential PMO Tools and Software
- Techniques for Measuring PMO Performance
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Identifying and Managing Key Stakeholders
- Effective Communication Strategies for PMO
Day Eight
Emphasizing Strategic Alignment in Project Management
Integrating Strategic Alignment in PMO
- Role of Strategic Alignment in Project Selection and Prioritization
- Techniques for Ensuring Alignment with Organizational Strategy
Project Management Methodologies and Standards
- Detailed Comparison of Various Methodologies
- Adhering to International Standards and Best Practices
Adapting to Organizational Culture and Processes
- Ensuring PMO Processes Complement Organizational Culture
- Change Management for PMO Integration
Day Nine
Operating and Sustaining the PMO
Running the Day-to-Day PMO
- Key Processes, Workflows, and Resource Management
- Managing and Reporting on Project Performance
Risk Management and Quality Assurance
- Identifying and Mitigating Risks in Projects
- Implementing Quality Control Measures in PMO Operations
Metrics and KPIs for PMO Success
- Developing Effective KPIs and Metrics
- Techniques for Monitoring and Reporting PMO Performance
Day Ten
Advanced Topics and Close
Exploring Advanced PMO Concepts
- The Agile PMO and Digital Transformation
- Future Trends and Innovations in PMO
Growth and Maturity of the PMO
- Understanding and Achieving PMO Maturity
- Continuous Improvement in the PMO
Course Summary and Close
- Recap of Key Concepts and Learning Points
- Action Plans Discussion
Certificate
Oxford Management Centre Certificate will be provided to delegates who successfully completed the training course.
Accreditation





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The Oxford Management Centre is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. NASBA have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
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Note: Discounts are not applicable with any other special offer that may be available.
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The classroom training fees include course presentation, relevant materials, physical & digital documentation, lunch and refreshments served during entire training. Accommodation and transportation are not included in the training course fees.
While, online training fees cover the course presentation and digital documentation and relevant materials.
The Oxford Management Centre Certificate of Completion with corresponding CPE credits shall be awarded to delegates who has successfully completed the training course.
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Note: If the payment is not received, Oxford Management Centre has the right to refuse admission.
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