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The implementation of strategy is viewed as the most important aspect of business today. However, many organisations struggle to implement strategic initiatives successfully. There are many obstacles attributed to the failure of execution such as lack of senior management support, inadequate resources and strategic drift.
This research proposes that the PMO is ideally placed to implement strategy. The functions required for successful implementation are functions of the PMO. Although there is suggestion of the benefits in the literature, it is not common practice.
This research use quantitative methods to determine the implications of using the PMO for strategy implementation. Professionals with and without PM backgrounds were involved in this research to ensure a generalised view point was formulated from the results. There is an overall consensus that the PMO should be used for implementation of strategy and that the use of the PMO will improve execution of strategic initiatives and bring overall value to the business. The use of the PMO for strategy implementation does, however, require a shift from functional to strategic units, but the results of this study show many are ideally positioned to make this shift.
The strategic PMO is swiftly becoming a business necessity. The PMO has an integral role in supporting senior leaders to ensure strategic initiatives deliver full value to the organisation. Using the PMO for strategy implementation should improve execution of strategic initiatives and show value of the PMO in helping the organisation achieve competitive advantage. Author Keywords: Project Management, Strategy Implementation and PMO
