(An investigation of the role and significance of the Project Management Office (PMO) in managing project effectiveness for its success in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA

Abstract

PMO emergence has been accepted worldwide in the project management and engineering sector and the KSA government announcement to initiate a drive to support PMO led to development of the tittle of this study. To understand the growth of PMO in KSA, an investigation of PMO effectiveness towards it role at different levels and sectors was studied with the barriers and causes. This study conducted the literature review on the title with aims to evaluate the PMO related effectiveness and complexities. The literature review is based on academic articles from the Project Management Institutes and studies from last 10 years. Thereafter, a primary study was conducted by distributing the questionnaire amongst the project management managers of KSA. The questionnaire was based on the aims and literature review. The selection used random sampling technique and data collected by 36 participants with their consent. Thus, sample size was equal to 36. The findings highlighted the fact that PMO roles is at supportive level at strategic and operational level in both public and private companies which are project related. Although the PMO significance is rising because of internal and external uncertainties, it is also facing issues from the perspective of support from the management level, favouritism in prioritising projects and resistance and confrontation to changes. The typology and maturity level of KSA PMO’s vary from firms to firms therefore a standardised model of PMO is not yet developed in KSA which is similar to other nations and literature studies. With regards to the effectiveness of PMO, it is found to relevant in strategic planning stage but is lacking in portfolio and resource optimisation. However, certain gaps in the study were identified which were related to culture such as gender biasness and language barriers. These elements could not be evaluated but the need has been felt to study in future the influence of PMO professional competency and workforce qualifications profile related to culture.