In today’s project-driven world, a Project Management Office (PMO) can no longer afford to be merely a reporting hub or a siloed function. The PMO-MI® Model, which stands for Project Management Office Maturity and Impact, offers a transformative approach to evaluating where a PMO stands and how it can evolve into a true strategic enabler. Developed by the Association of International Project Management Officers (AIPMO), the model is the result of five years of research, offering a solid theoretical and practical foundation for improving PMO effectiveness across industries.
Teksti Nancy Nouaimeh
Kuvat Nancy Nouaimeh
Pillars of the PMO-MI® model for single and multi-PMO configurations
PMO-MI®, a principle-based model, tailored for single and multiple PMOs, focuses on building project management capabilities, enhancing project outcomes, and engaging stakeholders in meaningful, value-driven ways.
Unlike traditional models that emphasize process maturity alone, this model uniquely integrates both maturity (how the PMO operates) and impact (how it creates and sustains value). It assesses leadership, strategic sponsorship and alignment, governance, value delivery, near-tacit and cultural elements, and the PMO’s continuous improvement approach, providing a robust foundation for developing an actionable roadmap for improvement.
The Six Tiers of the PMO-MI® Journey
PMOs can choose the tier that best fits their current needs and readiness, making the journey flexible and tailored to their unique situation.
- Tier 1 – Self-Assessment
An internal review where PMO teams reflect, align, and gauge their current maturity. A system-generated report highlights key blind spots for improvement.
- Tier 2 – External Assessment of Maturity and Impact
An independent evaluation by certified consultants using PMO-MI® diagnostics and benchmarks to assess maturity and impact, offering objective insights and validation.
- Tier 3 – Full External Assessment with Service Gap Identification
Extends Tier 2 by identifying and prioritizing service gaps across the 24 AIPMO service domains for focused improvement.
- Tier 4 – Full External Assessment Plus Target Operating Model (TOM) Development
Adds co-development of a future-state operating model aligned with organizational strategy and stakeholder needs.
- Tiers 5 and 6 – Assessing and Optimizing Multiple PMOs
For organizations with multiple PMOs, Tier 5 evaluates maturity and impact across all units, identifying gaps and best practices. Tier 6 builds a coordinated PMO ecosystem aligned with enterprise strategy, enhancing collaboration and value delivery at scale.
Why Begin with a Self-Assessment?
The Tier 1 self-assessment is a powerful tool that sparks internal dialogue and is ideal for building momentum and preparing the organization for deeper, more advanced analysis.
The Value of an External Assessment
External assessment using the other Tiers brings expert facilitation, neutral credibility, and actionable recommendations. PMO leaders benefit from:
- Objective visibility into strengths and gaps
- Benchmarking against leading practices
- A strong case for investment and transformation
- Clear next steps to improve performance and influence
“The PMO-MI® assessment helped us go beyond delivery metrics. It reshaped how we engaged stakeholders and made it clear how we could evolve into a true value center.”
— PMO Director, United Arab Emirates
A Real Story of Improvement
One global engineering PMO began its journey with a Tier 4 assessment, which prompted a complete rethink of its service offerings and catalog. The assessment helped identify both strengths to build on and gaps to close. The resulting improvement roadmap gave the PMO increased credibility with executive leadership by facilitating internal alignment. Working closely with its sponsor, the PMO co-developed a Target Operating Model (TOM) that repositioned it as a strategic orchestrator. Within a year, project alignment and cross-functional collaboration had significantly improved.
Are you ready to discover where your PMO stands today and unlock its full potential? Whether you’re just starting or ready for a comprehensive transformation, the PMO-MI® model offers a clear, flexible path tailored to your needs.
Take the first step with a self-assessment or contact us on info@pmo-mi.com for more information about the other Tiers.
To learn more about the PMO-MI® model, visit: https://pmo-mi.com/
Your PMO’s future matters—make it meaningful!
The upcoming Kakola Workshop (PMO Summit 2025) offers participants the opportunity to dive deeper into the model in a practical way. Each participant will receive a PMO-MI assessment, which will enable them to compare their own PMO activities with the model’s reference framework and identify areas for development.
Read more and sign up here.
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