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At PMO Learning, we’re always thinking about how PMO professionals can go beyond just ticking boxes and really make a difference. One of the ideas that’s resonated recently is The IMPACT Engine by Laura Barnard. It’s not another dry “best practice” book – it blends philosophy with a roadmap for how PMOs can deliver value in ways that actually stick.

And with the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Course coming up on the 15th–16th of October, it feels like a good moment to step back and think about what it all means in practice.

 

The Philosophy of the IMPACT Engine

At its heart, The IMPACT Engine challenges us to stop seeing PMOs as process guardians. Instead, it frames them as partners in strategy and real change. That means shifting mindset first, not tinkering with frameworks. It means asking, “what’s the real problem here?” before rolling out another tool. It’s about outcomes, impact on strategy, performance, people – not just neat reports.

And it’s about movement. Organisations change constantly, so PMOs have to keep adjusting too. Standing still isn’t really an option.

 

Six Stages. One Clear Roadmap

The philosophy is paired with a practical, structured approach – six stages that give PMO professionals a repeatable way to design and deliver services that truly matter to the business:

  1. New Role, New Mindset – Redefine your PMO’s purpose.
  2. Assess the Organisation – Understand the real challenges and opportunities.
  3. Define High-Impact Services – Build services that directly address what matters most.
  4. Plan the Impact Journey – Create a roadmap that aligns your services with strategic goals.
  5. Deliver Sustainable Value – Move beyond delivery and into lasting results.
  6. Evolve Your Engine – Keep improving, learning and staying relevant.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s a system that PMOs across sectors, from finance to healthcare to government – are already applying with impressive results.

 

Seeing It Happen

Examples make it real. I’ve seen PMOs shift from timesheet policing to helping shape digital transformation strategies. Others have discovered that projects weren’t failing because of clunky processes but because they weren’t linked to strategy in the first place.

One healthcare PMO started tracking benefits in a way that showed a clear line between projects and patient outcomes – suddenly, the work had meaning far beyond the PMO itself. A construction PMO drew up a visual roadmap for a five-year programme and, almost overnight, found it had senior leaders’ backing. In retail, a PMO added change management to its remit, making sure projects didn’t just land but were actually embedded. And I like the example of a government PMO that holds quarterly reviews with stakeholders, a small tweak that keeps them relevant as political winds shift.

None of these are huge reinventions. They’re shifts in focus. But the impact? Tangible.

 

What This Means for PMO Professionals

PMOs are under increasing pressure to show their value -not just in reports, but in results. The IMPACT Engine helps professionals take on that challenge with confidence.

  • Relevance – Keep your PMO aligned with fast-changing business needs.
  • Influence – Speak the language of leadership and gain traction with stakeholders.
  • Career growth – Build a future-proof skillset that goes beyond project coordination.

Whether you’re leading a PMO or building one from scratch, the framework helps you position yourself – and your PMO – as indispensable to strategy delivery.

 

 

Taking the Next Step: The IMPACT Engine Practitioner Course

Reading the book is a great introduction. But the Practitioner Course, running 15th–16th October, is where the real transformation begins. It’s a chance to go deeper into the six stages, apply them to your own context, and walk away with tools you can use straight away. And, just as valuable, it’s a space to share with others who are figuring out the same challenges.

It’s designed for anyone who wants to go beyond the theory and put these ideas into practice – with support, structure and shared learning.

👉 [Find out more and book your place here]

It’s time for the PMO to step out of the background and into a more strategic role. The organisations that thrive in the years ahead will be the ones whose PMOs are equipped to deliver real impact, not just oversight.

The question is no longer if the PMO should evolve – it’s how. And this course is the perfect place to begin.

 

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