The PMO Value Chain: Why Delivering Isn't Enough

Read the Full Article on LinkedIn

Author:

Americo Pinto, PMI-PMOCP, PMP | PMOGA Managing Director at PMI

Summary: 

This article introduces the PMO Value Chain, a six-element framework that traces the journey from PMO customer needs to recognized organizational value: Needs → Services → Outputs → Outcomes → Benefits → Value. Drawing from the PMI PMO Practice Guide, the framework identifies critical success factors for each transition and demonstrates how value chains can break at any link. The article includes a detailed case study of a financial services PMO whose well-designed dashboards failed to create value because they weren't adopted or used effectively.

Why PMO Leaders Should Read This: 

The PMO Value Chain provides a diagnostic framework for understanding why PMOs can "deliver everything they asked for" yet still struggle with value recognition. Each transition in the chain has specific critical success factors - from PMO Alignment (Needs→Services) to Organizational Recognition (Benefits→Value). The framework helps PMO leaders identify exactly where their value propositions break down. The real-world case study demonstrates how technical excellence in outputs can still result in value chain failure if customer competencies and adoption aren't considered.

Why It's Worth Discussing:

This article addresses the gap between activity and impact that plagues many PMOs. The framework's connection to the Value-Generating PMO Flywheel and PMO Value Ring™ Framework positions it as a central diagnostic tool for PMO assessment. The recognition that "value isn't about effort; it's about effect" challenges traditional PMO performance metrics. The systematic approach to understanding value creation makes this essential for PMOs transitioning from output-focused to outcome-driven operating models.