As a longtime MPUG contributor with over 30 years in project management and seven published books to his name, Bill Dow, PMP, brings a unique perspective to the project management community. Currently directing a large PMO with 40 project managers under his leadership, Bill recently sat down with MPUG to share his journey from managing his first project in 1991 to becoming a recognized PMO expert and author.
In this candid conversation, Bill shares practical insights on PMO leadership, project communications, lessons learned, and the realistic potential of AI in project management. Whether you’re leading a PMO or aspiring to advance your project management career, you’ll find valuable takeaways from Bill’s experiences and observations.
Watch the full interview to hear directly from Bill, or read on for key highlights from our discussion.
The Evolution from Project Manager to PMO Leader
Bill’s journey in project management began in 1991, long before remote work and modern project management tools became the norm. “Back in the day, we ran one big project, maybe two at the very most,” Bill reflects. Today, as a PMO director overseeing 40 project managers, he’s witnessed firsthand how the landscape has transformed.
The Secret to PMO Success: Executive Support
When asked about the crucial factor determining a PMO’s success, Bill didn’t hesitate: “It comes down to executive support.” He emphasizes the importance of securing backing from multiple executives, noting the typical 3-5 year executive cycle. “If that was the one person supporting your PMO, you’re in trouble,” he warns, advocating for building relationships across the executive team to ensure sustainability.
Running a PMO as an Organization
One of Bill’s key messages for PMO managers is to think beyond just managing programs and projects. “You’re running an organization called a PMO,” he emphasizes. “You’re not just running a bunch of programs and projects. If you do that, you are set up to fail.” He encourages PMO leaders to view their role as equivalent to other organizational functions like Finance, HR, or Marketing.
The Art of Project Communication
Drawing from his experience at Microsoft, Bill shared a valuable lesson about tailoring communication styles. “You have to communicate in the style to which the person receiving the information wants to receive their information,” he explains. He recounted creating a beautiful PowerPoint presentation mapping server locations worldwide, only to have an executive request the raw Excel data instead. This experience taught him the importance of understanding stakeholders’ preferred communication methods before investing time in deliverables.
A Fresh Take on Lessons Learned
With today’s project managers juggling multiple projects simultaneously, Bill advocates for a more agile approach to lessons learned. Rather than conducting extensive end-of-project reviews that may never be referenced again, he recommends collecting insights throughout the project lifecycle and making course corrections along the way. “These end-of-lessons learned meetings—they’re never used,” he observes. “No projects are ever the same, so they don’t value it.”
Looking Ahead: AI in PMO Management
Bill maintains a practical perspective on AI’s role in PMO management. While excited about AI’s potential, particularly tools like Copilot for SharePoint analysis across multiple projects, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on current capabilities rather than future promises. “There’s a lot of talk, there’s a lot of promises… but there’s always a reality factor,” he notes.
As project management continues to evolve, Bill’s insights remind us that success lies in balancing innovative tools with practical application, maintaining strong executive relationships, and adapting communication styles to meet stakeholder needs. His decades of experience offer valuable lessons for both new and seasoned project management professionals.
Want to learn more about AI-powered PMOs? Watch Bill’s lesson on practical applications of AI tools in PMO management and the reality of where we are today. Watch: An Introduction to AI-Powered PMOs and a Realistic View of Where We are Today
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