What is the difference between PMO and project manager
When approaching the field of project management, it is not uncommon to see a certain confusion between the roles of PMO (Project Management Office) and the project manager. These two actors, although linked to project management, operate at distinct levels of granularity and assume specific responsibilities. We are going to clear up this confusion by highlighting the differences between these two key positions.
Job differences between PMOs and project managers
PMO
Organizational positioning : PMOs are positioned at the higher organizational level, outside of individual projects. They act as a centralized project management office that oversees all of the organization's projects.
Panoramic view : They have a panoramic view of all the projects in progress in the organization. They are responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and managing projects as a whole, ensuring that project management standards and processes are met.
Guarantors of standards : PMOs are responsible for establishing and applying standards, best practices, and project management processes within the organization. They ensure that all projects follow established guidelines and methodologies.
Support and advice : They provide support to project managers by offering them resources, tools, training and advice to improve the management of their projects. They can also help solve problems and challenges faced by project managers.
Project manager
At the “heart of the action” : The project manager is at the center of the action and is responsible for the daily management of a specific project. He is responsible for the planning, execution, monitoring and closure of the project.
Specific responsibility : He is responsible for the success of the project he manages. He must ensure that the project objectives are met in terms of time, budget, quality, and performance.
Team work : The project manager collaborates closely with their project team, including functional project team members and stakeholders, to coordinate activities and achieve project goals.
Operational management : Making operational decisions, allocating resources, managing risks, and resolving problems that arise during the execution of the project are part of his position.
Mission-level differences
PMO missions
Methodology management:
PMOs define methods and standards to ensure that all projects run consistently. This ensures consistency in how projects are managed, regardless of their nature or complexity.
Monitoring and reporting:
PMOs monitor projects at a global level, collecting data and generating reports to assess the overall health and progress of the project portfolio. They ensure that stakeholders have a clear overview.
Resource Management:
PMOs allocate resources based on the priorities and capabilities of the organization. Their role is to ensure that available resources are used optimally across all projects.
Risk Management:
PMOs take charge of risk management at a global level of the business, identifying potential threats for all projects and implementing strategies to minimize them.
Standardization and best practices:
PMOs establish standards and best practices to create a solid foundation for project management within the organization. This ensures the consistency and quality of projects.
Project Manager missions
Planning and organization:
Project managers are responsible for the detailed design of a project and the sequence of tasks. They establish the execution plan to achieve the project goals.
Project execution:
Project managers are the drivers who implement the established plan. They coordinate activities, supervise teams, and ensure that tasks are completed according to expectations.
Communication:
Project managers need to ensure that all stakeholders get the information they need. They keep the lines of communication open to resolve issues and answer questions.
Risk Management and Problem Solving:
Project managers are the first responders in case of problems. They manage operational obstacles that arise during the project and take steps to minimize their impact on the goals.
Delivery and closing:
They oversee the final phase of the project, ensuring that the deliverables are complete, compliant, and ready to be delivered. They also carry out the administrative closure of the project.
Overlapping of missions between the 2 posts
Project management:
Both positions play a crucial role in project management, but on the one hand, the PMO focuses on harmonizing processes across all projects, while the project manager provides operational management specific to a given project.
Risk Management:
Both positions have risk management responsibilities. The PMO monitors risks across all projects, while the project manager manages risks specific to his project.
Communication:
Both positions require excellent communication skills. The PMO communicates with a strategic perspective, the project manager communicates operationally with his team and project stakeholders.
Problem solving skills:
Both positions require the ability to solve problems quickly and effectively, whether strategic (PMO) or operational (project manager).
Wage differences
Regarding the differences between the 2 positions, salaries also vary.
- Junior (0 to 2 years of experience): 40,000 euros per year
- Intermediary (3 to 5 years of experience): 60,000 euros per year
- Senior (more than 5 years of experience): 80,000 euros per year
- Junior (0 to 2 years of experience): 40,000 euros per year
- Intermediary (3 to 5 years of experience): 70,000 euros per year
- Senior (more than 5 years of experience): 100,000 euros per year
One PMO (Project Management Office) can therefore be categorized as a guardian of project management methods and standards within a company. PMOs set the rules by defining processes, ensuring that each project is progressing properly, and ensuring that best practices are followed.
On the other side, a project manager is a person managing only one project at a time. They plan, organize and direct the implementation of a specific project. They are responsible for guiding their team towards achieving the goals set, ensuring smooth communication, effective problem solving, and the successful delivery of results.
