The Role of Project Management Office (PMO) in Resolving Difficulties and Risks. (The Case of The Holy Mosque - Haram Expansion Projects)

Abstract

Organizations usually face many difficulties and risks in terms of managing projects during the execution phase. Those difficulties can be summarized in incompliance with project various predefined constraints, e.g. quality, budget, and the time schedule. Hence, the planned outcomes and customer satisfaction are negatively affected. During the last twenty years, Project Management Office (PMO) and their relevance to virtually all sectors has increased notably. The PMOs became an essential part of any successful organization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Recently, lots of engineering organizations and companies, even small ones, have established PMO to increase the success rate of their projects. In this study, we investigate the main risks and challenges that may face a project and the impact of adopting a PMO to resolve/minimize these risks. To effectively highlight such impacts, against megaproject, which involves many challenges and risk factors, is adopted as a case study. The research exhibits the important roles and success factors that can be achieved by the PMO to face various risks related to the project's quality, cost, and time. A subjective risk assessment model is developed based on the perspectives of experts and project managers in Haramain Projects. Also, the research aims to contribute and to improve the understanding in construction engineering organizations of the PMO's concepts in KSA. In order to achieve the research's objectives and goals, 60 participants have been surveyed, who worked in engineering organizations and governmental agencies that are directly involved in this research case study. The research's findings are linked with similar global cases and researches which are mentioned in the primary data collection and The literature review. Based on the research findings and evidence, recommendations have been provided for Saudi engineering companies that can be useful to enhance and develop the existing PMO. Furthermore, providing strategies that can be achieved by PMO to eliminate and/ or mitigate risks effects. Keywords : Project Management Office (PMO); Project Management; Project Managers; Haramain Projects, Risk Management.