In any project, it's essential to understand everyone's roles, especially between PMO and AMOA. There are often many players involved. Each role needs to be defined in advance to ensure the success of the project. So, what are the differences or similarities between the PMO (Project Management Office) and the AMOA (Assistance à Maîtrise d'Ouvrage)? Although the roles may seem similar, they are very different.
Definition
A Project Management Office (PMO) is an entity or structure within an organization responsible for overseeing, standardizing and supporting project management practices. The PMO's objective is to ensure the consistency, efficiency and success of projects within the organization, by providing tools, processes and resources for project management. Take a look at the 5 essential roles of the PMO, as well as our article on PMO methods and tools.
AMOA, or "Assistance à la Maîtrise d'Ouvrage", is a role or function within a project or organization that consists of providing support and expertise to the project management or project owner. The AMOA's objective is to liaise between the company's business needs and the technical teams responsible for implementing a project. This is to ensure that objectives are achieved and business requirements are met.
The similarities PMO VS AMOA
To begin with, we need to determine where these roles are similar.
They will both be in direct contact with the project owner. However, he will be the sole decision-maker between their work. Their role is to provide assistance, advice and proposals.
For each project in which they are involved, they will have to fulfill all the obligations that the project entails. They will also draw on detailed, documented and formalized information to guarantee ongoing monitoring. Finally, they will enable the project owner to reduce all project risks. This will be achieved thanks to their expertise and experience. To find out more about the differences between project program and portfolio for the PMO, read our article.
The differences PMO VS AMOA
The main difference between the two lies in the nature of the work. The PMO is an expert technician, a project management specialist. We're talking here about project management as a whole, in other words, management that's almost independent of the nature of the project on which he's working. In contrast, AMOA is more concerned with providing assistance with all the business aspects of the project. In particular, we're closer toproject specifications, or project communications and adaptations vis-à-vis users or recipients.
AMOA is really more of a business skill. It represents all project stakeholders. The PMO, on the other hand, focuses on project aspects, success criteria and organization. Find out more about the difference between project owner and project manager?
Example
One project involves manufacturing an information system for the aeronautical industry. Let's imagine that this IS is destined for the national gendarmerie. The MOA will be an expert in the way the Gendarmerie Nationale works. The PMO, on the other hand, will be an expert on the subject of IS production. Both will be responsible for ensuring that the project runs smoothly. But each will have his own responsibilities. It will be a question of responding to needs, organizational wishes, ways of working, necessary expertise and professional techniques.
Read our article on the Blue Soft Consulting division, which is deploying its PMO expertise within the Blue Soft group.
Take a look at our video on PMO :
