Custom Programs
Why PMO Strategies?
Our training programs are informed by practical real-world experience and taught by instructors with extensive experience in their respective fields eager to bring their knowledge and insights into the classroom. We know how important it is to your organization’s success that your people not only know what to do but how to do it so that they can help you achieve the critical business results necessary for your organization to thrive.
What Sets Us Apart
Our Practical, Business-Minded Approach
PMO Strategies’ custom programs are designed to distill down from the complex mix of methods the core essentials that enable product- and project-centric leaders and managers to deliver the desired business results.
Training & Coaching Experience
We have decades of experience as leaders, managers, and team members in product/project-centric environments and know what it’s like to serve in all these roles. This enables us to show empathy and build rapport at all levels while helping leaders smoothly transition to a higher level of performance faster than the executives will think possible. We’ve also spent the last decade focused specifically on coaching our clients’ people serving in all of those roles and know intimately how to meet them where they are, and train and coach them to achieve big things.
High-Caliber Thought Leaders
We’ve designed and run the most successful PMO and strategy delivery leadership coaching program in the world, the most popular podcast for PMOs, and the largest PMO-specific conference designed to elevate the PMO globally. Our team includes many high-powered changemakers helping us elevate the industry, led by our Founder Laura Barnard who is a recognized industry thought leader, 2021 World PMO Influencer of the Year, and international keynote speaker at major industry conferences and events.
Foundational Training
Our project management training programs take a comprehensive and adaptive approach to delivering projects, with a focus on driving a higher return on investment for every project so it’s clear that the organization is achieving its strategic goals. Unlike traditional project management approaches, our IMPACT Accelerator Institute™ programs focus on measurable desired outcomes and practical techniques your teams can apply long after the training has completed.
Course Description: Strategic Project Delivery for Maximum ROI
Course Title: The IMPACT PM Framework: Maximizing ROI Through Adaptive Project Delivery
Course Overview:
A comprehensive and adaptive approach to delivering projects in a way that helps drive a higher return on investment for every project. Most project management approaches focus only on the execution of the project, as opposed to ensuring projects are set up for success before they start. Our framework includes guidance on properly sizing the project before you start so that you can right-size the application of the framework to meet the needs of that individual project.
This customization allows you to define a core set of must-have best practices that each project should have while giving you the flexibility to apply common sense to the project so that all the steps, templates, process, and governance are just what the project needs to deliver value quickly without over-processing the effort.
The IMPACT Project Management™ Framework starts with the end in mind. During Discovery the proper steps are taken to ensure the measurable desired outcomes are clarified so that the project can not only meet time, scope, and cost requirements, but yield the more important desired business outcomes and return for the investment during the Value measurement phase. It’s not enough to measure business benefits, you must also ensure those projects achieved those benefits in a way that made the project worth doing in the first place. Our solution includes ongoing access or the option for PMO Strategies to create a customized version of the IMPACT Project Management™ Framework for your internal use, built on your internal platform.
Course Objectives:
- Understand the IMPACT Project Management™ Framework:
- Explore the key principles and concepts of the IMPACT Framework.
- Learn how the framework enhances project delivery for maximizing ROI.
- Understand the value of customization and adaptability within the framework.
- Right-Sizing Projects for Success:
- Gain insights into sizing projects appropriately before initiation.
- Learn techniques to assess project complexity and resource requirements.
- Understand how to align project goals with organizational strategies.
- Defining Measurable Desired Outcomes:
- Discover the importance of clarifying desired business outcomes for projects.
- Learn methods to set measurable goals that go beyond time, scope, and cost.
- Understand how to identify and prioritize value-driven metrics for success.
- Incorporating Value Measurement:
- Explore strategies to measure and evaluate project value throughout its lifecycle.
- Understand the process of assessing project benefits and ROI.
- Learn techniques for tracking and reporting on the achievement of desired outcomes.
- Customizing the IMPACT Framework:
- Understand the flexibility of the framework for tailoring to individual projects.
- Learn how to define a core set of best practices for project success.
- Gain insights into adapting processes, templates, and governance for each project.
- Leveraging PMO Strategies and Internal Platforms:
- Explore the benefits of leveraging PMO Strategies for customizing the framework.
- Understand how to integrate the IMPACT Framework within internal platforms.
- Learn techniques for ongoing access and collaboration within the customized framework.
Who Should Attend: This course is designed for project managers, project leaders, and professionals involved in project delivery who seek to maximize the return on investment for their projects. It is also beneficial for senior leaders, executives, and decision-makers responsible for aligning projects with strategic business outcomes.
Prerequisites: Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of project management principles and practices. Familiarity with project initiation and strategic alignment concepts will be helpful but not required.
Course Duration: The “Maximizing ROI through Adaptive Project Delivery” training program spans two days of immersive learning. Each day will consist of approximately six hours of instruction, including interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to apply the IMPACT Project Management™ Framework effectively, align projects with strategic outcomes, and drive maximum return on investment for their organizations.
Course Description: Strategic Project Leadership for Business Outcomes
Course Title: IMPACT Driver Framework: Elevating Project Delivery to Become a Strategic Partner
Course Overview:
Business leaders expect project managers to be more than just task administrators. They need strategic partners who can help them achieve critical business outcomes. This program is specifically designed to teach project managers how to elevate their approach to project delivery and become indispensable strategic assets to business leaders.
Project managers are constantly faced with the challenge of delivering projects that align with their organization’s goals and objectives. However, with the ever-changing business landscape, it is becoming increasingly difficult to deliver projects on time, on budget, and with the desired outcomes. To help project managers rise to the challenge, our training program focuses on helping project leaders elevate their role, their thinking, and the way they help organizations achieve the intended business results.
By guiding project leaders through these mindset shifts they will elevate their thinking and approach to project delivery to ensure the best possible business outcomes for each project, not simply perfect the deliverables and project outputs. This, in turn, helps business leaders achieve the critical business outcomes necessary for their projects.
The IMPACT Driver Framework training program is designed to empower project managers to transcend their traditional role as task administrators and become indispensable strategic partners to business leaders. In today’s business landscape, project managers are expected to align projects with critical business outcomes, go beyond delivering outputs, and contribute to the organization’s strategic success. This program focuses on elevating project leaders’ thinking, approach, and mindset to help them deliver projects that achieve the intended business results. Participants will gain practical tools, workbooks, templates, and a detailed guidebook to apply the concepts effectively throughout their projects beyond the training period.
Course Objectives:
- Shifting Mindset for Strategic Project Leadership:
- Understand the expectations of business leaders from project managers.
- Explore the mindset shifts required to become a strategic partner.
- Learn how to align project goals with broader organizational objectives.
- Elevating Project Thinking and Approach:
- Gain insights into how to go beyond delivering project outputs and focus on outcomes.
- Learn techniques to identify critical business outcomes for each project.
- Understand how to prioritize and align project activities to achieve desired results.
- Building Strategic Partnerships with Business Leaders:
- Discover strategies for effective collaboration and communication with business leaders.
- Learn how to become a trusted advisor and strategic partner to business stakeholders.
- Understand how to align project deliverables with the organization’s strategic roadmap.
- Balancing Time, Budget, and Business Outcomes:
- Explore techniques for managing project constraints while focusing on outcomes.
- Learn how to optimize project schedules and budgets to achieve business goals.
- Understand the importance of stakeholder engagement in balancing priorities.
- Applying Concepts in Real-World Projects:
- Utilize workbooks, templates, and guidebooks provided to apply concepts effectively.
- Learn how to integrate strategic thinking into project planning, execution, and control.
- Gain practical insights on overcoming challenges and adapting the approach to various projects.
- Ensuring Ongoing Business Value:
- Understand how to measure and demonstrate the business value delivered by projects.
- Learn techniques for post-project evaluation and benefits realization.
- Explore strategies to foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
Who Should Attend: This course is designed for project managers, project leaders, and professionals responsible for project delivery who aspire to become strategic partners to business leaders. It is also beneficial for senior leaders, executives, and decision-makers seeking to enhance the strategic alignment of projects within their organizations.
Prerequisites: Participants are expected to have a fundamental understanding of project management principles and practices. Familiarity with project delivery processes and project roles will be helpful but not required.
Course Duration:
The Elevating Project Delivery training program spans two days of immersive learning. Each day will consist of approximately six hours of instruction, including interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to elevate their approach to project delivery, become strategic assets to business leaders, and contribute to achieving critical business outcomes. The provided workbooks, templates, and guidebooks will support ongoing application of the concepts to projects in the real world, ensuring lasting impact beyond the training program.
Course Description: Effective Communication for Project Managers
Course Title: Mastering Stakeholder Communication: Driving Decision-Making and Action
Course Overview:
The Mastering Stakeholder Communication training program is designed to empower project managers with the essential techniques to effectively communicate with stakeholders. Effective communication plays a critical role in ensuring stakeholder understanding, support, and alignment with project goals. This course focuses on teaching project leaders the art of delivering the right message in the right way, tailored to varying levels within the organization. Participants will learn how to communicate in a language that resonates with business leaders, eliminating confusion and fostering faster decision-making and action. With enhanced communication skills, project managers will gain the confidence to deliver captivating presentations that impress stakeholders and showcase the project’s value in achieving business goals. By implementing these strategies, project managers can accelerate progress towards critical business outcomes targeted by the project.
Course Objectives:
- Understanding Effective Stakeholder Communication:
- Explore the importance of effective communication for project success.
- Learn how to adapt communication styles to different stakeholder levels.
- Understand the impact of clear and concise messaging on decision-making.
- Tailoring the Message for Business Leaders:
- Discover techniques for translating technical language into business-friendly terms.
- Learn how to articulate the project’s value proposition in alignment with business goals.
- Understand the importance of presenting tangible benefits and outcomes to stakeholders.
- Developing Compelling Presentations:
- Gain insights into structuring presentations to highlight critical project points.
- Learn techniques to engage and captivate the audience during presentations.
- Understand how to utilize visual aids and storytelling to convey key messages effectively.
- Influencing Decision-Making and Action:
- Learn strategies to drive faster decision-making and stakeholder buy-in.
- Explore techniques for addressing stakeholder concerns and objections.
- Understand how to leverage communication to foster stakeholder commitment and action.
- Building Stakeholder Relationships:
- Discover methods for building trust and rapport with stakeholders.
- Learn effective listening and feedback techniques to enhance communication.
- Understand how to adapt communication styles to different stakeholder preferences.
- Applying Strategies in Real-World Projects:
- Gain practical tools and techniques to apply in real-world project scenarios.
- Learn how to tailor communication strategies to specific project contexts.
- Explore best practices for ongoing stakeholder communication and engagement.
Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for project managers, project leaders, and professionals responsible for stakeholder communication within projects. It is also beneficial for individuals seeking to enhance their presentation and communication skills to drive project success. Business leaders and decision-makers involved in project oversight may also find value in understanding effective stakeholder communication.
Prerequisites:
Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of project management principles and practices. Familiarity with stakeholder management concepts and project communication will be helpful but not required.
Course Duration:
The Mastering Stakeholder Communication training program includes one six-hour day of immersive learning including instruction, interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate with stakeholders, tailor messages to business leaders, and deliver compelling presentations that drive decision-making and action. The strategies learned in this program will enable project managers to accelerate progress towards critical business outcomes, fostering success and alignment within their organizations.
Course Description: Enhancing Sponsor Engagement for Project Success
Course Title: Strengthening Sponsor Relationships: Driving Project Support and Success
Course Overview:
The Strengthening Sponsor Relationships training program is designed to equip project managers with the skills and strategies needed to improve sponsor engagement and secure ongoing support for their projects. Many project managers face challenges in maintaining sponsor involvement beyond the project charter signing stage. This course addresses this issue by providing project managers with tools to enhance their sponsor relationships, ensuring continued engagement throughout the project lifecycle. By establishing clear expectations, fostering understanding, and effectively managing sponsors, project managers can secure the support needed to keep projects moving forward and achieve desired business outcomes.
Course Objectives:
- Assessing Sponsor Engagement:
- Understand the significance of sponsor engagement in project success.
- Learn how to evaluate the type of sponsor for a given project.
- Identify factors influencing sponsor engagement and potential obstacles.
- Tailoring Sponsor Training and Management:
- Explore strategies to educate sponsors about their role and responsibilities.
- Develop a customized approach to engage and align sponsors with project goals.
- Understand how to communicate project expectations and deliverables to sponsors.
- Effective Sponsor Communication:
- Learn techniques to establish open and ongoing communication channels with sponsors.
- Explore strategies for presenting project updates and progress to sponsors.
- Understand how to address sponsor concerns and facilitate decision-making.
- Establishing Mutual Accountability:
- Discover methods to foster a collaborative and accountable sponsor-project manager relationship.
- Explore techniques for managing sponsor expectations and aligning them with project realities.
- Understand how to involve sponsors in critical project decision points and risk management.
- Mitigating Sponsor Engagement Challenges:
- Identify common challenges in sponsor engagement and strategies for overcoming them.
- Learn techniques to address sponsor disengagement and reinvigorate their involvement.
- Understand how to leverage sponsor relationships to secure necessary resources and support.
- Leveraging Sponsor Engagement for Project Success:
- Gain insights into the positive impact of sponsor engagement on project outcomes.
- Explore techniques for leveraging sponsor influence and support within the organization.
- Understand how to align project goals with sponsors’ strategic priorities for business success.
Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for project managers, project leaders, and professionals responsible for managing sponsor relationships within projects. It is also beneficial for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in engaging and managing project sponsors. Business leaders and decision-makers involved in project sponsorship may also find value in understanding effective sponsor engagement.
Prerequisites:
Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of project management principles and practices. Familiarity with stakeholder management and project sponsor roles will be helpful but not required.
Course Duration:
The Strengthening Sponsor Relationships training program includes one six hour day of immersive learning including instruction, interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to enhance sponsor engagement, establish effective sponsor communication channels, and foster mutually beneficial sponsor-project manager relationships. The strategies learned in this program will enable project managers to secure ongoing support, keep projects on track, and achieve the desired business outcomes intended for the success of their organizations.
Course Description: Driving Organizational Change for Project Managers
Course Title: Change Management Simplified: Empowering Successful Organizational Transformation
Course Overview:
The Change Management Simplified training program is designed to equip project managers with the skills and strategies necessary to effectively drive change within their organizations. This course specifically targets project managers who face challenges in inspiring teams, gaining buy-in for change initiatives, and motivating stakeholders. By shifting the perspective from leading change to leading change with and through others, participants will learn techniques to bring people along the change journey, empowering them with the skills needed to support and contribute to successful change implementation.
Course Objectives:
- Understanding Change Resistance:
- Explore the reasons behind change resistance within organizations.
- Recognize common barriers and challenges to change adoption.
- Learn strategies to overcome resistance and foster a change-supportive environment.
- Building a Change Coalition:
- Discover techniques to identify and engage key change champions and influencers.
- Learn how to build a coalition of support for change initiatives.
- Understand the importance of stakeholder analysis and engagement throughout the change process.
- Communicating and Inspiring Change:
- Develop effective change communication strategies tailored to different stakeholders.
- Explore techniques for conveying the value and benefits of change initiatives.
- Understand how to create a compelling change narrative and inspire action.
- Change Management Framework:
- Learn how to apply a change management framework to projects.
- Understand the key components of successful change planning and execution.
- Explore techniques for monitoring and evaluating change progress and making adjustments.
- Collaborative Change Implementation:
- Discover methods to involve stakeholders in the change process.
- Explore techniques for fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
- Learn how to leverage the expertise and perspectives of others for successful change outcomes.
- Sustaining Change and Overcoming Setbacks:
- Gain insights into sustaining change momentum beyond the initial implementation phase.
- Learn strategies to address setbacks and overcome resistance during change.
- Understand how to embed change within the organization’s culture for long-term success.
Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for project managers, change leaders, and professionals responsible for driving change within their organizations. It is also beneficial for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in leading successful change initiatives. Business leaders and decision-makers involved in organizational transformation may also find value in understanding effective change leadership.
Prerequisites:
Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of project management principles and practices. Familiarity with change management concepts and organizational dynamics will be helpful but not required.
Course Duration:
The Change Management training program includes one six-hour day of immersive learning including instruction, interactive exercises, case studies, and group discussions.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to drive successful change initiatives within their organizations. They will understand the dynamics of change resistance, build a coalition of support, apply a change management framework, and foster collaborative change implementation. The strategies and tools learned in this program will enable project managers to effectively lead change, inspire stakeholders, and drive real transformation within their organizations.
Course Description: Effective Project Sponsorship Training
Course Title: Mastering Project Sponsorship: Driving Success through Strategic Leadership
Course Overview:
The Mastering Project Sponsorship training program is specifically designed to equip project sponsors with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to fulfill their critical role effectively so that every project they sponsor is designed to thrive. This course empowers project sponsors to provide strategic leadership, optimize project outcomes, and foster a culture of success within their organizations. Through a combination of interactive discussions, real-world application, and practical exercises, participants will gain the expertise required to excel as project sponsors and enable the smooth execution of projects from inception to completion to IMPACT.
Course Objectives:
- Understand the Role of a Project Sponsor:
- Define the responsibilities, expectations, and authority of a project sponsor.
- Explore the sponsor’s role in project initiation, planning, execution, and closure.
- Identify key success factors for effective project sponsorship.
- Establish Clear Project Objectives and Stakeholder Alignment:
- Learn techniques to define and communicate project objectives effectively.
- Understand the importance of stakeholder identification, engagement, and alignment.
- Develop strategies to manage stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
- Champion Strategic Decision-Making:
- Acquire skills to make informed decisions aligned with project goals and organizational strategy.
- Understand risk management and its impact on project outcomes.
- Explore techniques for prioritizing resources and resolving project-related conflicts.
- Foster Effective Collaboration and Communication:
- Cultivate a collaborative environment between project teams and stakeholders.
- Develop strategies to facilitate clear and open communication channels.
- Master techniques for engaging and motivating project teams.
- Monitor and Evaluate Project Progress:
- Learn methods for monitoring project progress and performance indicators.
- Understand how to track project milestones, budgets, and deliverables.
- Explore strategies to mitigate risks and address project challenges proactively.
- Drive Project Success through Sponsor Engagement:
- Identify ways to actively engage as a project sponsor throughout the project lifecycle.
- Understand the sponsor’s role in removing obstacles and facilitating resource allocation.
- Learn techniques to evaluate project success and ensure long-term benefits realization.
Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for current or aspiring project sponsors, executives, managers, and senior leaders who are responsible for overseeing projects within their organizations. It is also beneficial for project managers seeking a deeper understanding of effective sponsor engagement and collaboration.
Prerequisites:
Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of project management concepts and terminology. Familiarity with project roles and responsibilities will be helpful but not required.
Course Duration:
The Mastering Project Sponsorship training program can be conducted in a six-hour training experience including instruction, practical exercises and group discussions.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as project sponsors, fostering project success, and driving strategic outcomes within their organizations.
These programs include workbooks, templates, and detailed guidebook for applying the concepts in the real world to all projects long after the classroom training is complete.
Project Portfolio Management Accelerators
Building upon the foundational layers described above, we have designed a second stage of programs that we recommend all project leaders complete to further enhance their ability to drive IMPACT. This second stage is comprised of the half-day courses outlined below:
How much iterative work is likely to be optimal for my project?
This program teaches participants how to apply some “rules of thumb” to know when to apply highly iterative techniques, and when to apply highly predictive techniques — sometimes on the same project.
How do I drive an accelerated, sustainable cadence of value delivery for my project?
This program teaches participants techniques that promote “full kitting” (starting tasks only when all inputs are in place) and single-task focus, managed with clear priorities in a visible manner, while allowing teams to evaluate their cadence of value delivery, and brainstorm ways to accelerate that cadence.
When my project’s value proposition is highly sensitive to achieving a given target date, how do I drive high due-date performance?
This program teaches participants techniques to manage the variability that is always present in every project, in a way that protects high-value due dates.
How do I know when re-baselining my project will yield a higher-ROI outcome?
This program teaches participants techniques to proactively re-baseline whenever we have reason to believe that higher project ROIs can be attained by doing so.
How do I keep things synchronized with other projects?
This program teaches participants how to set and maintain the right rhythm of product releases that are timed to build on, complement, or retire previous products. This includes how to build staggered flow models, run what-if scenarios on them, and then execute the chosen stagger.
Organizations have long struggled with the challenge of synchronizing projects to drive maximum business impact, whether within a single program or across a portfolio. For your organization to thrive in the future, there must be the right rhythm of product releases that are timed to build on, complement, or retire previous products. Two examples of companies that do this well are Apple and Tesla, and the result is that they both went from almost out of business to ranking among the most valuable companies in the world. The key ingredient to achieving such synchronicity is the discipline of staggering project starts based on “pace-setting” resources — such as a team of great product designers — and then ensuring that downstream work is set up to be run like a relay race.
PMO and Strategy Delivery Development
Comprehensive solutions designed to create a successful PMO, transformation, or strategy delivery office so you can deliver on your organization’s strategy easier, faster, and with much better results.
This is the only program of its kind that shows you exactly how to build, run, or elevate your PMO, transformation, or strategy delivery team so to ensure that projects are set up for success, aligned with strategy, and driving the best possible outcomes for the organization as quickly as possible. Our team has been in the IMPACT-making business for 25 years now, and over that time, we’ve developed a proven system that always delivers. This program is a comprehensive on-demand implementation program complete with videos, guidance, workbooks, templates, and everything you need to create, elevate, or rescue any strategy delivery team.
This Coaching and Mastermind Program is designed to help PMO and strategy delivery professionals accelerate their leadership journey and become strategic business assets for their organizations. Led by top industry thought leaders, this comprehensive program provides hands-on support and targeted training to help students build and elevate their leadership skills and get that seat at the table to help the organization drive real sustainable change.
Collaborating with like-minded leaders/students from around the world in a virtual format, participants can avoid overwhelm and receive real-time feedback from experts and thought leaders. In addition, the program includes a private forum where students can learn how their peers are applying techniques and addressing roadblocks and get feedback and support from coaches.
Through regular video calls with the coaching team and their peers, participants can build confidence in their progress and have all of their toughest. Plus, the program includes the new IMPACT Engine Leader and Consultant Certifications, which are available exclusively to coaching students who apply the included IMPACT Engine System™ Program in their organization.
By earning this certification, participants can differentiate themselves from their peers and demonstrate applied knowledge and leadership proficiency. They can also stay one step ahead in their careers with a certification that is exclusively given to students who have demonstrated their ability to apply the IMPACT Engine System™ in a real-world scenario.
Training Delivery Formats
The way we approach delivering training is designed to ensure that project management capability is developed in an effective and sustainable way so that the organization can achieve the desired strategic impact. This includes a combination of hands-on project management knowledge development in a live classroom setting, as well as ongoing access to targeted training programs to further develop project management capability over time.