New P3O Offering – The Online Respository

Posted on | June 5, 2009 | Author: | GaryH | No Comments

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The OGC has just released an online P3O repository of supporting tools and templates aimed at providing some flesh to the theory of the recent P3O book. P3O has thus far been marketed as a set of guidelines that are to be consulted on an ad hoc basis according to the needs of your project office, as opposed to a full blown project management methodology such as Prince2. It is therefore interesting to read what best practice solutions have been suggested for this particular model, even though the writers are keen to point out that the examples provided are exactly that – examples, and should not be taken as gospel.
I should firstly point out that the repository is a single document clocking in at 38 pages, with attachments included – quite lengthy then. I couldn’t help but think when I clicked the link that the information would be better served up as separate smaller documents that relate to the subject headings. This would be more in line with the idea of ‘dipping in and out’ where required and would perhaps make the repository more user friendly. It is also worth noting that the repository is best accessed as a Word document, so as to enable the attachments to be easily opened.

These minor gripes aside there is a great deal of information on offer, even at this initial stage of development. The example templates work well in most instances, providing a high level of depth to accompany the text in the main body of the document. Some of the key areas discussed include Portfolio Management Approach, Benefits Realization Management and Planning / Control. The attachments are clear and concise for the most part and would help provide a framework in which to build and develop those areas deemed most necessary, whether you are developing your PMO from scratch or fining tuning and developing methods that are already in place.

When used in conjunction with the P3O book I can see this repository developing into a really useful tool. Again it is important to view it as a flexible knowledge source that is in many ways open to interpretation. The OGC have stated that they are welcoming feedback at this stage so I am hopeful that they will develop the tools on offer and refine what is already there, as although it is a work in progress at this stage, it could become an ideal accompaniment to the existing P3O guidelines.

If you’d like to see the repository for yourself and get a feel for what is on offer, follow the link