PMO Strategy on a

Page Template

PMO Research Team

1 September 2021
PMO Strategy on a Page Template
Peer & Practitioner Research Published 1 September 2021 - ID G00757925 - 1 min read

By Analyst(s): PMO Research Team

Initiatives: Program and Portfolio Management Leaders

PMO strategy is rarely described or visualized in a way that can be

easily shared. PMO leaders can download this customizable, one-
page template to communicate a clear strategy that clarifies the
PMO’s current and future state, and provides a path to get there.

When to Use
Forming a succinct and compelling strategy document often requires balancing between
making it high-level enough to resonate with business stakeholders and tactical enough to
provide overall direction and guidance to the PMO team.

Use this customizable, one-page template to clearly capture your PMO’s current state, its
future state and your plan to get where you want to go. You may be interested in this Tool
if you are:

■ Seeking to communicate a clear, concise and memorable PMO strategy to your team

■ Building buy-in from the C-suite and other business partners on your PMO strategy
without needing to go into specific, and often unnecessary, details

Directions for Use

■ Summarize your strategy in a concise statement that captures the essence of the
PMO’s goals.

■ Create a list of metrics based on the current state of the PMO, as well as the goals
for where the PMO should be within a several- year horizon.

■ Outline a set of corresponding objectives that will allow the PMO to reach its goals.

■ Document assumptions that point to the cause-and-effect relationship between

trends in the wider organization, the drivers of change, and your strategic objectives.

Gartner, Inc. | G00757925 Page 1 of 2

Recommended by the Authors
Ignition Guide to Strategy Planning for the PMO

2021 Strategic Roadmap for the PMO

Leadership Vision for 2022: Program and Portfolio Management

Tool: PMO Charter Tool Template

Tool: Build an Elevator Pitch for Your PMO

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise marked for external use, the items in this Gartner Tool are for
internal noncommercial use by the licensed Gartner client. The materials contained in this
Tool may not be repackaged or resold. Gartner makes no representations or warranties as
to the suitability of this Tool for any particular purpose, and disclaims all liabilities for any
damages, whether direct, consequential, incidental or special, arising out of the use of or
inability to use this material or the information provided herein.

Document Revision History

PMO Strategy on a Page - 16 November 2012

© 2022 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Gartner is a registered trademark of
Gartner, Inc. and its affiliates. This publication may not be reproduced or distributed in any form
without Gartner's prior written permission. It consists of the opinions of Gartner's research
organization, which should not be construed as statements of fact. While the information contained in
this publication has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, Gartner disclaims all warranties
as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Although Gartner research may
address legal and financial issues, Gartner does not provide legal or investment advice and its research
should not be construed or used as such. Your access and use of this publication are governed by
Gartner’s Usage Policy. Gartner prides itself on its reputation for independence and objectivity. Its
research is produced independently by its research organization without input or influence from any
third party. For further information, see "Guiding Principles on Independence and Objectivity."

Gartner, Inc. | G00757925 Page 2 of 2

PMO Strategy on a Page
Illustrative Strategy Roadmap
1 Summarize your STATEMENT OF STRATEGY: To drive greater business value by managing and executing portfolios of initiatives,
strategy in a concise projects and programs more effectively in close partnership with stakeholders.
statement that
captures the essence
2021 Key Metrics 2022 Goals
of the PMO’s goals.
Strategic Objectives
Top 5-7 Metrics Top 5-7 Metrics
Describing the Initial 1. Identify, evaluate and prioritize the portfolio of Describing the End
2 Create a list of metrics State State
initiatives based on value to the business
based on the current
state of the PMO, as • 50% of initiatives meet 2. Build and sustain relationships with business • More than 70% of
well as goals for where our 10-step checklist partners to improve contribution to business initiatives meet our 10-
the PMO should be requirements for performance step checklist
excellence requirements for
within a several-year 3. Enable project, product management and excellence
horizon . delivery roles
• 60% of initiatives are
delivered on expected 4. Advance maturity of project/product management • More than 75% of
outcomes, as outlined in methodology across the organization initiatives are delivered
3 Outline a set of the initially approved on expected
business cases outcomes, as outlined
corresponding in the initially approved
objectives that will business cases
enable the PMO to • 20% of projects/initiatives
are marked red in terms
reach its goals. of costs • Less than 10% of
Assumptions
projects/initiatives are
4
marked red in terms of
Document • 80% of in-inflight 1. Projects and programs are becoming increasingly costs
initiatives have a named distributed and managed autonomously
assumptions that point IT/business sponsor
to the cause-and-effect 2. Business partners generally view the PMO as another • More than 90% of in-
relationship among layer of process, rather than a value-add function inflight initiatives have
• 30% of PMO staff are a named IT/business
trends in the wider rated above average on 3. New types of projects and initiatives involving social media sponsor
organization, the entrepreneurial skills will make up a larger percentage of the overall portfolio
drivers of change and
your strategic • More than 50% of
PMO staff are rated
objectives. above average on
entrepreneurial skills

RESTRICTED
0 © 2021 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Gartner is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and its affiliates.
PMO Strategy on a Page Template
STATEMENT OF STRATEGY: [Clear and concise statement that summarizes key PMO objectives]

20XX Key Metrics 20XX Goals

Strategic Objectives
Top 5-7 Metrics Top 5-7 Metrics
Describing the Initial 1. [PMO Initiative] Describing the End
State State
2. [PMO Initiative]
• [Metric] [Current State] 3. [PMO Initiative] • [Metric] [Target]

• [Metric] [Current State] 4. [PMO Initiative] • Metric] [Target]

5. [PMO Initiative]
• [Metric] [Current State] • [Metric] [Target]
6. [PMO Initiative]
• [Metric] [Current State] 7. [PMO Initiative] • [Metric] [Target]

• [Metric] [Current State] • [Metric] [Target]

• [Metric] [Current State] • [Metric] [Target]

Assumptions
• [Metric] [Current State] 1. [Assumption] • [Metric] [Target]
2. [Assumption]
3. [Assumption]
4. [Assumption]
5. [Assumption]
6. [Assumption]
7. [Assumption]

RESTRICTED
1 © 2021 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Gartner is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and its affiliates.
Actionable, objective insight
Position your IT organization for success. Explore these additional
complimentary resources and tools for PPM and IT leaders:

Guide Resource Center

Ignition Guide to Strategic Program and Portfolio
Planning for the PMO Management Strategy
Use this methodical step-by-step guide Gain insights, advice and tools to help PPM
for PMO leaders. leaders address their top challenges.

Download Guide Learn More

Research Webinar
Evolving PMOs in an Enterprise The Role of PMO: Bridge
Agile World Strategy and Execution
Understand the impact, capabilities and (End User)
limitations of enterprise agile frameworks. Understand the importance of the PMO
in Gartner’s business value equation.

View Research Watch Now

Already a client?
Get access to even more resources in your client portal. Log In
Connect With Us
Get actionable, objective insight to deliver on your mission-critical
priorities. Our expert guidance and tools enable faster, smarter
decisions and stronger performance. Contact us to become a client:

U.S.: 1 855 811 7593

International: +44 (0) 3330 607 044

Become a Client

Learn more about Gartner for IT Leaders

gartner.com/en/it

Stay connected to the latest insights

Attend a Gartner conference
View Calendar

© 2022 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. CM_GTS_1958920