Functions & Services

Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a P3O?

• A To audit financial accounts across the organisation
• B To deliver projects directly on behalf of the business
• C To provide decision support and delivery support that enables successful change ✓
• D To replace the role of senior responsible owners

Answer: The P3O provides decision-enabling and delivery support structures and services that help an organisation deliver change successfully; it does not deliver the projects itself.

Which of the following is a recognised function of a P3O?

• A Setting the organisation's share price
• B Centre of Excellence ✓
• C Recruiting all organisational staff
• D Managing the company payroll

Answer: Centre of Excellence is one of the core P3O functions, responsible for standards, methods, skills development and knowledge management across the organisation.

Which P3O service involves maintaining a single, reliable view of the status of all change initiatives for senior management?

• A Recruitment screening
• B External marketing
• C Supplier contract negotiation
• D Information management and reporting (dashboards) ✓

Answer: Information management and reporting, often delivered through dashboards, provides senior management with a consolidated and reliable view of the status of the portfolio of change.

What does 'assurance' as a P3O function primarily provide?

• A Independent and objective review of whether initiatives are likely to achieve their objectives ✓
• B Financial loans to underfunded projects
• C Insurance cover for project failures
• D Guaranteed delivery of every project on time

Answer: Assurance provides independent, objective scrutiny and review to give confidence that programmes and projects are being managed effectively and are likely to deliver their intended outcomes.

Which of these is a core element of the P3O 'strategic planning' service?

• A Supporting the definition and prioritisation of the portfolio against strategic objectives ✓
• B Writing individual project test scripts
• C Operating the organisation's helpdesk
• D Conducting performance appraisals for delivery staff

Answer: Strategic planning support helps the organisation define, balance and prioritise its portfolio of change so that investment aligns with strategic objectives.

Which of the following is an example of a delivery support service provided by a P3O?

• A Manufacturing the organisation's products
• B Providing planning, risk and issue management support to programmes and projects ✓
• C Approving the organisation's annual financial statements
• D Hiring and firing the executive board

Answer: Delivery support includes hands-on services such as planning support, risk and issue management, configuration management and reporting that help programmes and projects deliver.