Maturity Levels
The degree of value-added service the P3O provides will vary and usually falls into one of four levels:
- First level P3Os will have a mainly administrative role with a primary focus on requesting, collating, and reporting programme and project information for senior managers
- Second level P3Os will add some services around providing basic best practice advice and guidance, as well as resources like standards and templates for common documents or processes
- A third level P3O will provide specialist programme and project consultancy in areas such as business cases, risk management or benefits realisation. It may also provide short-term programme/project management input and specialist input on methods, for example PRINCE2 and MSP, and tools such as MS Project.
- A top level P3O occupies a strategic position within the department/organisation. In NICS terms, it may provide direct support to an Accounting Officer and have Board level representation and a key role in direction setting, planning and challenge on matters of organisational change and service delivery