Case Study — Sustaining and Maturing a PMO Through Ongoing Expert Support
Case Study

Sustaining and Maturing a PMO Through Ongoing Expert Support

How an embedded PMO as a Service model kept a food manufacturer's project portfolio on track — delivering 29 successful projects and a step-change in organisational maturity.

29
Projects Successfully Delivered
Phase 2
PMO as a Service
Ongoing
From August 2024

Sustaining Momentum Without an In-House PMO Resource

Following the successful establishment of a PMO in Phase 1, the client faced a new challenge: sustaining the gains and deepening project management maturity without a dedicated internal resource to own and operate the function. The risk of regression — reverting to informal, unstructured ways of working — was real. The organisation needed an ongoing partner to keep governance standards high, continue building internal capability, and ensure the ELT retained clear visibility of an evolving project portfolio.


An Embedded Partner Across Four Areas

Transitioning from implementation partner to embedded PMO operator, we work closely with the client team on an ongoing basis across four interconnected areas.

01 Delivery

Project Delivery Support

Hands-on support across the full project lifecycle — from charters and schedules through to stage gate reviews and close. Weekly project meetings drive accountability, with key actions circulated to teams and the ELT.

02 Governance

Governance & Reporting

Monthly PMO Project Reports, a maintained Master List of Projects, and a live Risk Register give the ELT consistent, timely visibility — enabling earlier escalation and more informed strategic decisions.

03 Frameworks

Framework & Template Evolution

PMO tools, templates, and processes are continuously refined as the organisation evolves — including embedding change management into project ways of working for relevant initiatives.

04 Capability

Capability Building & Continuous Improvement

Regular staff surveys, one-to-one conversations, and targeted training keep the PMO responsive and the team growing — with findings and recommendations presented to the ELT to shape ongoing improvement.

The PMO as a Service model has allowed the client to continue building internal capability at pace, while ensuring governance standards and delivery quality are maintained throughout.


29 Projects Delivered — and a PMO Built to Last

29 Projects Delivered

Since the PMO was introduced in November 2023, 29 projects have been successfully delivered — a direct measure of sustained, structured execution.

ELT Visibility Maintained

Consistent, timely reporting gives leadership clear oversight of portfolio status, risks, and decisions — enabling more confident strategic choices.

Deepened PM Capability

Project managers have developed a strong understanding of end-to-end delivery, supported by targeted training and a sustained focus on change management.

An Agile, Evolving PMO

Regular feedback loops — surveys, interviews, and ELT reviews — keep the PMO shaped by the organisation's needs rather than fixed to its initial design.


The Broader Lesson

Building a PMO is one thing — sustaining it is another. This engagement shows that the PMO as a Service model offers a practical and cost-effective route for organisations that want to maintain governance rigour and keep building capability, without the overhead of a full-time in-house function. By acting as a trusted, embedded partner, we provide the continuity and expertise that keeps the PMO — and the projects it supports — performing at their best.

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