23 Sep 2025

From Chaos to Clarity: Focusing Your PMO on Strategic Priorities

In many organisations, the Project Management Office (PMO) is tasked with overseeing a growing number of initiatives, each with its own goals, timelines, and stakeholders. Without a clear strategic focus, this can quickly lead to confusion, duplication, and missed opportunities. In my experience as a Project Manager I have seen this time and time again, but when a strategic PMO is implemented successfully this somewhat chaotic view can instead be an aligned, focussed and transparent view of of project, programme and portfolio activity driving strategic priorities.

So how do you move your PMO from chaos to clarity? It starts with aligning projects to business strategy and focusing on what matters most. My simple takeaway, prioritisaion.

Why does a strategic PMO matter?

A PMO that tries to do everything risks achieving very little. By prioritising core strategic projects, leaders can ensure that time, budget, and talent are directed toward initiatives that deliver real value.

This means establishing a strategic PMO with clear priorities—linked directly to organisational goals—and using them to guide every decision, from project selection to resource allocation.

Aligning PMO with business goals

To be effective, the PMO must be both a delivery function and a strategic partner. This involves:

Focusing the PMO on strategy, not just execution
Ensuring PMO alignment with business goals through regular dialogue with senior leadership
Using strategic prioritisation techniques to evaluate project impact, risk, and feasibility

When the PMO is aligned with the organisation’s direction, it becomes a driver of growth, not just a manager of tasks.

Managing multiple projects without losing focus

Many PMOs juggle dozens of projects at once. Without strong project portfolio management, this can lead to overload and inefficiency.

Best practices include:

Clear PMO governance and strategy to guide decision-making
Tools for project coordination and progress tracking
Processes to regularly review and adjust priorities

By streamlining how projects are managed, a strategic PMO can reduce chaos and improve delivery across the board.

9FT works with Diageo – Elevating PMO Maturity

Diageo, a global leader in the beverage industry, recognised the need to enhance the maturity of its central PMO and adopt a scaled agile approach. Partnering with Nine Feet Tall, they implemented a “just enough governance” model, established a Strategic Portfolio Management Office, and introduced standardised processes across teams and geographies.

The result was impressive! Improved collaboration, clearer communication, and a PMO that could focus on strategic initiatives. Diageo’s transformation enabled better resource planning, reduced administrative overhead, and created a culture of value-driven project management.

Here’s what Jeremy Bailes, Head of Portfolio at Diageo, had to say about working with Nine Feet Tall:

Throughout the engagement, impressive levels of drive and enthusiasm have been evident. The Nine Feet Tall Consultants have a great style and engage positively, sensitively challenge, and demand clarity whilst pushing forward transformation. Should the opportunity arise for Nine Feet Tall to get involved again, I wouldn’t hesitate.

It’s clear then that a well-aligned PMO doesn’t just manage projects—it actually drives transformation. By focusing on strategic priorities, aligning with business goals, and streamlining coordination, Programme Directors and Operational Leaders can turn complexity into clarity—and deliver real value to their organisations. If you want to chat about your PMO or find out more about how Nine Feet Tall can help then get in touch here and ask for me, I’d be happy to have a chat!

Megan Coombes
Senior Consultant
MeganC@NineFeetTall.com

About Megan

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between traditional PMOs and the “PMO of the future”?

The traditional PMO typically focuses on reporting and governance, often limited to overseeing project execution and ensuring compliance. In contrast, the “PMO of the future” takes on a more strategic and proactive role in the organisation. This evolved PMO operates across all functional areas, actively participates in strategy design and execution, and provides continuity for long-term strategic initiatives. It adapts strategy execution to changing internal and external conditions, learns from past experiences, and adjusts ongoing programs. The future PMO is more closely aligned with the strategy department while maintaining independence, requiring high-level thinking and the ability to translate broad visions into concrete, achievable programs.

How can a PMO help improve strategy execution?

A Project Management Office (PMO) can significantly improve strategy execution by bridging the gap between strategic planning and implementation. An empowered PMO can ensure that projects and programs align with organisational goals, optimise resource allocation, and adapt to changing conditions. By expanding its traditional role, a PMO can work directly with strategists to design execution plans, translate vision into actionable programs, and continuously review underlying assumptions. This approach allows for more agile strategy implementation, better stakeholder engagement, and improved change management across the organisation.

Why do many organisations struggle with strategy execution?

Many organisations struggle with strategy execution due to three key factors: ineffective resource allocation, poor design of implementation activities, and lack of organisational support. Ineffective resource allocation often occurs when businesses try to juggle regular operations with strategy implementation using the same personnel. Poor design manifests in project portfolios that don’t align with strategic intent or lack agility. Lack of organisational support stems from insufficient engagement of employees, stakeholders, and customers. To overcome these challenges, organisations should consider adopting a more dynamic approach to strategy execution, potentially leveraging an empowered Project Management Office (PMO) to coordinate and adapt implementation efforts.

What role does communication play in a PMO’s success?

Effective communication is vital for a PMO’s success as it ensures alignment among stakeholders, manages expectations, and promotes transparency, ultimately leading to better project outcomes.

Why is leadership support important for a PMO?

Leadership support is crucial for a PMO as it legitimises its role, enhances its authority, and fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability across the organisation.