Business Driven PMO Setup -- A Summer Must-Read Book

Following the lead of Donna Fitzgerald of Gartner to flag books worthy of lounging about with poolside, I want to alert you to a new book that belongs on the shelf of every PMO practitioner, sponsor and member; Business Driven PMO Setup -- Practical Insights, Techniques and Case Examples for Ensuring Success, by Mark Price Perry. It is literally still rolling off the presses but already I predict it will be quickly regarded as a seminal work on the topic of PMOs. You can get a copy at all the usual online outlets or order it directly from J. Ross Publishing. No doubt it will soon be in local bookstores as well but I can't promise that it is stocked yet since it is so new.

I finally got my copy and couldn't help diving right in. Warning: once you do, don't be surprised to find it hard to come up for air, as these are inviting waters. Now, I know what you are probably thinking; "Crimanently Terry, it's a PMO book, not some kinda' toe-curling whodunit best seller headed for a cable mini-series."  Trust me -- this is one business management book you will actually WANT to read, rather than force yourself to slog through every page.

OK, full disclosure time: Mark is a friend of mine, and yes, I am honored to have been given an opportunity to make a small contribution to this endeavor. That having been said, I am stunned by the richness and practicality of content throughout this book, from Mark's excellent insights to those provided by the 19 other guest contributors that add immensely to its value.

There are so many new ideas and different topics covered by such a diverse blend of experts, the net effect is much like taking everything you like about a really well done PMO symposium with top-notch speakers and compressing all of it into a single 500-page book. The wonderful difference is that, unlike a symposium where you are often left reeling from input overload and soon forget what was heard, you control the rate of consumption and its always there as an ongoing reference (oh yeah, don't forget that it's also much less expensive, no travel is involved and the food is probably better too).

Having it as a ready reference is a good thing, because there is no way you are going to be able to soak up all the information in a single pass. That is due to the truly unique format of this of this book. Like a themed collection of moderated short stories, Mark initially sets the stage and provides the thread of continuity by opening each of the thirteen chapters with insights from his own immense experience with setting up PMOs around the world. Contributing authors, either as practitioners or industry subject matter experts, then add their own particular insights to each topic.

The idea is brilliant, and no doubt you will see it emulated many times over in the future. Besides the obvious benefit of being able to capitalize on the different points of view and expertise of so many contributors, each one brings their own subtle differences in writing style into play. The impact this has on readability is amazing. No matter how accomplished the writer, the work of any single author is in essence a monologue, and as a result it often eventually becomes tiresome. The approach Mark takes in this book creates a dialogue; it's as if you are reading the illustrated transcript of a huge and very informative panel discussion that Mark is actively participating in and moderating.

As to the content itself, be prepared to have some of your closely held PMO preconceptions and paradigms masterfully challenged. I consider myself a forward-thinking person when it comes to all things PMO, but the discussion in this book really makes you stop and ruminate, rolling around ideas and practical guidance like you would the flavors of a complex wine.

OK, if I haven't convinced you by now, then there is no hope. Enjoy it, be sure to share your review comments and tell your associates.

Comments

[Veronica Brown]

Thanks for the post, will checkout the book.