What is a project management office (PMO)?

A project management office (PMO) is fundamentally an organizational unit that plays a critical role in overseeing project management within an organization. Its primary functions include providing governance, establishing best practices, and offering support to project managers and teams. The PMO ensures that projects align with the organization's overall strategy and objectives, thereby facilitating consistency and efficient project execution across various departments.

By offering a centralized framework for project management, the PMO helps to standardize procedures, improve resource allocation, and enhance communication within teams. It also assists in monitoring project performance and outcomes, which can lead to better decision-making and increased success rates for projects. The presence of a PMO often results in more disciplined project management practices and ultimately contributes to the achievement of strategic goals within the organization.

The other options do not accurately capture the comprehensive role of a PMO. A tracking tool primarily focuses on monitoring progress but does not encompass the broader support and governance functions of a PMO. A department solely focused on human resources is unrelated to project management practices. Lastly, while risk calculation is an essential part of project management, it does not define the PMO's overarching purpose or functions.