THE PROJECT OFFICE PROFESSIONAL IN ACTION: A PRACTICE-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Objective: The present study seeks to understand how Project Management Office (PMO) happens in action, from the theoretical perspective of practice in step with Schatzki. Methodology: It is a qualitative research with data drawn from interviews and analysed through grounded theory. 

Findings: Results show that PMO in action occurs with a certain set of practices and central materialities, which are related to each other but also to other less central or peripheral ones. 

Conclusions: This discussion systematizes and presents the theory of practice to study such a singularity, expanding the understanding of the phenomenon and showing its value for the organization’s practices and business. It is concluded that practice-based studies evidence unexplored aspects in the PMO’s literature, such as the professional’s own perspectives regarding his daily life, as well as a diverse range of artifacts and tools present in its actions, contributing to extend our understanding of both organizational professionals and researchers.