A PMO, or Project Management Office, is a group, agency, or department that defines and maintains the standards of project management for a company. The PMO is responsible for ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget, and that they align with the organizations goals and add value. The PMO is also responsible for retaining documentation and metrics for executing projects, and for providing guidance, documentation, and metrics related to the practices surrounding the management and implementation of projects within the organization.

The PMO can be internal or external to a company, and there is no standard approach to PMO development. However, an effective PMO is always strongly aligned with the organizational strategy of the company. PMOs can be supportive, controlling, or directive, and they can be involved in project-related tasks and follow up on project activities through completion.

PMOs are beneficial if the number of projects is growing in an organization, and they can help organizations get a return on their investment and add value to their stakeholders through projects, programs, and portfolios. PMOs are also beneficial for sharing resources throughout the organization, and for keeping projects on track.