VMO: A Name, a Trend… or Just Common Sense?

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Author:

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

Summary: 

This article challenges the growing trend of PMOs rebranding themselves as "VMOs" (Value Management Offices), arguing that the shift represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the problem. Pinto contends that renaming a PMO to VMO won't suddenly make it deliver value - if a PMO isn't already value-driven, no label will save it. The article emphasizes that being value-driven requires adopting a strategic stance focused on deep stakeholder empathy, honest conversations, and the courage to solve the right problems.

Why PMO Leaders Should Read This: 

This article provides clarity in a marketplace flooded with PMO variants (TMO, SMO, VMO, EPMO, xMO). Instead of chasing trends, it offers a practical test: "If I rebranded my PMO as a VMO today, what would truly change?" The article connects to customer-centric PMO principles, emphasizing that PMO services should be strategic answers to stakeholder problems rather than generic offerings "on the shelf." The discussion of how value must be perceived to be real, starting with the PMO customer rather than the PMO itself, provides actionable insight for positioning strategies.

Why It's Worth Discussing:

The VMO trend represents a broader challenge in PMO evolution - the temptation to solve positioning problems through rebranding rather than fundamental change. This article helps PMO leaders distinguish between cosmetic changes and substantive transformation. The connection to the PMO Value Ring™ Framework and customer-centric principles makes this particularly relevant for PMOs considering structural or strategic changes. The emphasis on listening, thinking, and responding differently rather than changing names provides a more sustainable path to transformation.