Guide to Project Management: Getting it right and achieving lasting benefit, 2nd Edition

Chapter 10

Support and assurance

WORKING ON A PROJECT can be confusing and demanding for people new to change management. Even those familiar with the language, the processes and the responsibilities will need some help.

A common way of providing help is to use a support/assurance function to:

• assist the project manager and project team;
• assure the project steering group that the project management environment is, and continues to be, fit for its intended purpose;
• assist and assure the portfolio management team in their governance of the portfolio.

The support/assurance function can have a variety of names, such as:

• Project office
• Project support office
• Project management office
• Programme office

There is no typical structure, position or remit for a support/assurance function since it provides a tailored set of products and services to a specific audience whose needs are many and various.

The need for, and benefits of, a support/assurance function

A support/assurance function is not always essential. Much will depend on the size, criticality and risks of the changes being delivered and the needs and experience of the people working on the project and within the wider organisation.

Project managers may benefit from having some administrative responsibilities removed, freeing them to manage more effectively. The project steering group may benefit from the independent assurance that their project is in safe hands. The portfolio management team may be unable to function effectively ...