The evolution of the Project Management Office (PMO) is accelerating. It’s driven by the pressures of digital transformation, shifting business expectations, and the increasing need to deliver strategic value. In the recent Sciforma webinar, Inside PMOs in 2025: What’s Working for You, What’s Not, and What’s Next, hosted by PMO Research Strategist Rachel Hentges and industry expert Andy Jordan, key findings from The 2025 PMO Outlook Report were revealed. Together, they shed light on the changing landscape and what PMOs must do to thrive.
This conversation aligns the broader narrative Andy Jordan has been championing, especially in his on-demand webinar series, Modern Resource Management: The Way It Should Be. As both the webinar and report underscore, PMOs must shift from being reactive information managers to proactive insight drivers.
From Metrics to Meaning: Redefining Success
One of the standout insights from the report is the disconnect between project success metrics and the true value delivered. While many PMOs continue to focus on on-time and on-budget delivery, stakeholders are increasingly looking for outcomes that align with strategic goals. In fact, 54% of project practitioners experienced project failure in the past year—often because success was misaligned from the start.
Andy Jordan’s webinar reinforces this theme, emphasizing that traditional definitions of success are no longer adequate. PMOs must pivot to value-driven metrics—those that account for business impact, stakeholder satisfaction, and long-term benefits.
“Value is subjective, so you need to understand what it means to the people who define value for your company.”
– PMI PMO Report, 2025
The Resource Management Dilemma
Since 2022, the number one challenge for PMOs has remained constant: resource management. According to the latest data, a staggering 75% of PMO leaders cite insufficient resources to deliver portfolio of projects. But this isn’t just about headcount—it’s about resource alignment.
Andy Jordan’s resource management series takes this head-on, advocating for smarter, more strategic allocation of talent. PMOs must not just manage scarcity—they must drive strategy. That means prioritizing high-impact projects and advocating for resources that align with business priorities.
The 2025 Outlook Report confirms that organizations with high-performing PMOs are significantly better at aligning resources with strategic goals—especially when supported by the right tools.
Rethinking the Role of the PMO
Today’s high-performing PMOs are no longer just governance bodies—they’re value drivers. The role of the PMO is shifting from operational oversight to value delivery. Executives increasingly expect PMOs to help capture, create, and deliver business value.
This matches what Andy Jordan stresses in his educational content: PMOs must become agents of business transformation, not just task trackers. The best PMOs embed themselves into strategic planning conversations and drive enterprise-level outcomes.
Ditch the Spreadsheets—Embrace PPM Tools
One of the most actionable findings from the report is the stark contrast between organizations using advanced project portfolio management (PPM) software versus those still relying on spreadsheets. PMOs that leverage modern tools are more likely to be aligned with business strategy and to measure success based on stakeholder impact and value delivered.
Spreadsheets, by contrast, often lock PMOs into outdated success criteria—focusing on timelines and budgets at the expense of strategic contribution.
The message is clear here too: toolsets matter. Technology is a multiplier. The right tools don’t just make management easier—they unlock the insights PMOs need to make smarter decisions.
Key Takeaways for the PMO of the Future
- Shift from Process to Purpose: Define success in terms of business value, not just delivery metrics.
- Be Ruthless About Prioritization: Use insights to drive decisions about where to focus time, talent, and budget.
- Adopt Smart Tools: Move away from manual tracking. Embrace technology that enables alignment, transparency, and insight.
- Elevate the PMO’s Role: Become a driver of organizational value, not just a reporter of project status.
Want to learn more?
Struggling with resource management, like most PMO leaders today? Check out Andy Jordan’s full on-demand webinar series: Modern Resource Management: The Way It Should Be
And don’t forget to download your copy of The 2025 PMO Outlook Report—available now via Sciforma.