Every great idea starts with a spark – that lightbulb moment when everything clicks. Earlier this year, in Florida, Lindsay, Eileen, and Laura Barnard from PMO Strategies had one of those moments.
In this behind-the-scenes video below, you’ll meet the three of them as they reflect on their shared passion for PMOs and discuss the Florida meeting that set everything in motion. It’s a candid look at the inspiration, the collaboration, and the vision behind this new offering for the PMO community.
A Partnership to Support PMO Practitioners
That Florida trip wasn’t just about brainstorming ideas – it was about bringing the right people together. Between the palm trees, early morning coffee chats, and plenty of conversations about the challenges PMO professionals face, something new started to take shape.
The outcome? A powerful partnership.
PMO Learning has partnered with PMO Strategies and Laura Barnard to bring you the brand-new IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification. Together, we recognised that while PMO professionals work tirelessly to accelerate strategy delivery and ensure projects achieve business goals, they often lack the structured support system to make that impact visible.
This course was born from those discussions – from shared stories of PMOs struggling to get buy-in, from
a recognition that practitioners need both tools and confidence, and from the belief that the PMO community deserves a practical, proven framework to succeed.
That’s what the IMPACT Engine Practitioner offers: a way for every PMO professional to stop feeling like an “order taker” and start being recognised as a trusted advisor who drives measurable business outcomes.
IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification
The IMPACT Engine Practitioner is a two-day, hands-on certification course built on the six-stage IMPACT Engine System from The IMPACT Engine by Laura Barnard. Designed for PMO professionals at every level, the course goes beyond theory to give you practical tools, case studies, and a customised IMPACT Action Plan you can take straight back to your organisation.
Here’s what the course covers:
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Mindset – shifting from task-based delivery to outcome-focused leadership.
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Assess – engaging stakeholders and uncovering real organisational challenges.
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Define – diagnosing root causes and designing services that solve business problems.
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Plan – creating an outcome-driven roadmap that delivers measurable results.
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Deliver – executing solutions while clearly communicating business value.
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Evolve – continuously adapting to stay relevant as a trusted Strategy Navigator.
Why This Course Matters for PMO Practitioners
This course is more than just another certification – it’s a lifeline for PMO practitioners who often find themselves caught between the demands of leadership and the realities of delivery.
Too many PMOs are asked to provide reports, templates, or oversight without being invited to the strategic table. Practitioners know they can add more value, but they lack the framework, the language, and sometimes the confidence to demonstrate it. That’s where the IMPACT Engine Practitioner changes the game.
What makes it important is that it provides:
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Clarity – on how to move beyond task execution to strategy alignment.
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Credibility – by equipping practitioners with proven tools to engage stakeholders and diagnose real business needs.
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Confidence – through practice, case studies, and coaching that make the methods directly applicable.
Personally, what excites us most is how empowering this course is. It gives PMO professionals permission – and the process – to stop being reactive and start being recognised as strategic partners. That shift doesn’t just help projects succeed; it elevates the role of the PMO across the organisation.
Pilot Course – 15th – 16th October
Our pilot course runs on 15th–16th October in our virtual classroom, and this is your opportunity to be part of the very first group of certified IMPACT Engine Practitioners.
👉 [Reserve Your Spot in the Pilot Course]
Join Our Free Webinar on 9th September
Before the October pilot kicks off, you can get an exclusive preview of the IMPACT Engine Practitioner in a live webinar with author Laura Barnard.
In this free session, you’ll discover how PMO professionals at all levels can go from “order takers” to trusted strategic advisors in their organisations.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The 3 most common reasons PMOs fail to deliver strategic value (and how to fix them).
- The 6 stages of the IMPACT Engine System — and why skipping one costs you credibility.
- How the workshop uses a real-world case study so you leave knowing exactly how to apply what you’ve learned.
- Why past attendees say they finally have the clarity and confidence to lead their PMO forward.
You’ll also get the chance to ask Laura your questions live and decide whether the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification course is the right next step for you and your team.
👉 [Register for the Free Webinar Here]
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