If you’ve seen “Kupa Roshit”, think of the PMO as Ramzi—a senior generalist who bridges various departments, teams, and clients, ensuring that everything functions as it should. The goal is clear: to ensure that projects succeed through efficient management and comprehensive support.
This role balances operational work within the company with customer service, emphasizing the creation of a successful and enduring partnership. The role of the PMO, or Project Management Officer, is to connect the pieces of the puzzle. Yet, the question naturally arises: what is the difference between a PMO and a project manager?
Although these are two interrelated roles, there is a fundamental difference between them. A project manager focuses on overseeing a specific project from its inception to completion—handling planning, execution, day-to-day task management, and ensuring that the project meets its objectives and deadlines. In contrast, the PMO operates on a broader level: providing support, tools, and methodologies to project managers and their teams, with the aim of enhancing work efficiency and ensuring that various projects are coordinated and aligned with the company’s overall goals.
If we borrow from the analogy in the opening paragraph, the project manager is akin to “Bossaga” while the PMO is like Ramzi: not always in the spotlight, but critical to the overall functioning.
At Qualitest, I serve as the Finance PMO. What does the life of a Finance PMO look like? First, it’s important to distinguish between a financial PMO and an accountant or bookkeeper. While an accountant deals with financial reporting, taxation, and regulatory compliance, the financial PMO focuses on managing the budgets and resources for the projects under their purview. They monitor expenditures relative to the budget, assess profitability, and ensure alignment between the client’s expectations and the company’s ability to deliver.
In short, the PMO concentrates on the operational aspects of managing the financial side of projects, not on accounting controls. One of the core responsibilities of the PMO is rigorous financial tracking—they monitor budgets, profits, and expenses. This role requires strong data analysis skills and a broad business acumen.
In addition, the PMO acts as an intermediary between the company and the client. They are responsible for ensuring that both parties have a clear understanding of each other. The PMO provides the client with up-to-date status reports, revised forecasts, and an overall picture of how the client can proceed, sometimes drawing attention to the current state of affairs.
On the company’s side, the PMO translates the client’s needs and desires to the internal teams. This work demands a balance of attentive listening, diplomacy, and the ability to drive processes that serve all parties, ensuring the project’s execution and the expansion of collaboration.
Beyond communication and financial oversight, the PMO is also involved in time and process management. They ensure that projects adhere to their schedules, that all stakeholders understand their roles, and that no part of the process falls through the cracks. Should issues or deviations from the plan arise, the PMO identifies the problem and proposes appropriate solutions in real time.
Although this role requires order and precision, a good PMO also possesses the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships. They know how to communicate on an equal footing, maintain a pleasant atmosphere, and encourage cooperation among all parties. The role demands both professional expertise and human sensitivity, ensuring that work is carried out effectively and seamlessly.
In conclusion, the PMO may not always be in the spotlight, but they ensure that everything operates as it should. They connect all parties, provide timely solutions, and ensure that everyone leaves satisfied. It is a role that combines professionalism with a human touch—laying the foundation for the success of any project.
Shlomi Ben-shitrit is a skilled PMO professional at Qualitest, bringing over ten years of experience in project management, budget oversight, and performance tracking. Based in Israel, he specializes in ensuring project efficiency, maintaining timelines, and optimizing resource utilization. With expertise in tools like Excel, Google Spreadsheets, and NetSuite, Shlomi plays a key role in aligning project goals with business objectives while providing strategic support to teams and stakeholders.
Connect with Shlomi Ben-shitrit on LinkedIn
