Every year about this time my now teenage daughter and I have the same conversation about the Christmas tree.
It goes like this;
Me: Shall we have a real Christmas tree this year?
Pegs: I’d like to have the usual one
Me: It would be great to go and choose a real one though at a Christmas tree farm, an experience it together as a family,
Pegs: I’d prefer to have our usual one
Me: ...but why?
Pegs: ...because it’s our tradition, I love it, I love that we use the same tree every year, it makes me feel good and brings back Christmas memories. And it’s also good for the environment.
I can never really say much after that. She always wins this one.
Our Christmas tree is older than Pegs. Only just, but it is and overall, it’s in pretty good condition. Each year more decorations are added to it and one of those is extra special as it marks the year. It’s Peg’s decoration. She has 15 now and every single one is different.
The tree has decorations on it from all over the place, the world even; from Tanzania to the Arctic, from Platform 9 3/4 to poor Yorick’s skull. It always takes me ages to dress the tree because each decoration is a memory and a chance to reflect. Over the years a few of the decorations have been broken and I even remember those even though they don’t physically exist anymore.
The centre piece, tree topper, has been refreshed over the years, not that often but it gives a different view of the tree and usually reflects where we are at the time. We’ve had stars and a variety of fairies over the years, each adding their own special magic.
We now have a skirt around the bottom of the tree to give it a more secure foundation, and quite frankly, to protect it from the dogs. It looks good and works well with the tree and most importantly it provides good solid protection which it hadn’t needed in life before beagles.
Something that has changed quite a lot is the lighting. We’ve seen a succession of ever improving technology. We originally had bulbs, big lights which needed replacing often and involved checking every single bulb in the chain until the culprit was identified. Getting lights that flashed in different patterns was quite a big moment in the O’Toole household.
We progressed to LEDs which eliminated some of the issues with the regular bulbs. The LEDs have got increasingly smaller and last year we found a whole new innovation. Instead of just one long string of lights to wrap around the tree before the decorations went up, we discovered multi-stringed tiny LEDs. Wait for this, you place the centre of the light strings at the top of tree and then, the strings cascade beautifully down the tree with next to no effort.
Rocked our world I can tell you.
The bottom line, and the reason why we will probably continue with our old but faithful tree, is this.
This is our Christmas Tree; it’s exactly what we needed 16 years ago and that fundamental requirement has never changed. Sure, we’ve added to the offering over the years and we’ve lost some elements on the way, this has only increased the value generated every year. More security has been added over the years to cope with new threats and we’ve also taken advantage of new technology to make it easier and quicker to make the most of our offering. It’s our tree and we love it.
Happy Christmas everyone!
A Safe Harbour for Work That Matters Over the past few months on the Norfolk coast, and exploring the Broads, boats have been a constant part of my view — moored, passing, gliding by. Back in Northamptonshire, there were no waves or tides, but we did have canals — another ecosystem with its own slower rhythm, narrowboats with their routines, and a way of life that seems to move at walking pace. Soon we’ll be in Scotland, close to the wide Forth estuary — tidal, busy, and full of energy. It’s a very different stretch of water to Norfolk’s quiet channels, and it’s had me thinking about how PMO also has to work differently depending on its setting. The Harbour Picture Picture a harbour at dawn. Fishing boats head out early, ferries prepare for their first passengers, yachts wait for the right wind. Each boat has a different job, a different pace, and each one is essential to the harbour’s purpose. PMO works in the same way. It runs through portfolio, programme, and project work, and each plays its part when set up for what’s needed. Together, they keep delivery moving in the right direction. The Three Ps: Portfolio, Programme, Project Think of it like the harbour: Portfolio PMO: The Harbour Master Sets direction and decides which boats head out and when. Programme PMO: The Ferries and Trawlers Keeps the routes open, brings results back to port, and makes sure the harbour stays productive. Project PMO: The Small Boats and Crew Handles the day-to-day, checks the kit, keeps the logs, navigates the details, and gets close to the action. Each one plays a role in keeping the harbour working as a whole. Making It Work A small boat doesn’t need a full crew. A ferry doesn’t need a trawler’s nets. A harbour doesn’t need a fleet pulling apart. PMO is the same. Project PMO supports delivery. Programme PMO keeps routes clear. Portfolio PMO sets direction. The value doesn’t come from one level trying to be something it’s not — but from each doing the work that matters. Avoiding the Trap Sometimes project-level PMO is dismissed as “just admin.” Sometimes every PMO is pushed to look strategic, even when that isn’t what’s needed. True PMO maturity isn’t about piling on process or having the flashiest title. It’s about purpose — providing the right support, in the right place, at the right time. A Safe Harbour for Work That Matters A good harbour doesn’t just have big ships or shiny yachts. It has the right mix of vessels, ready for the day’s work. That is what PMO is for me: a safe harbour for work that matters — where strategy is shaped, programmes flow, and projects deliver with confidence. From Canals to Coastlines As we head north to Scotland, I know the boats will catch my eye again. Whether it’s a canal, a harbour, or the open sea, the message stays the same: PMO works best when ready for the journey ahead — helping every boat play its part in work that truly matters. Because when the harbour is well run, every boat gets where it needs to go. That’s when the strategy moves forward, the programmes flow, and the projects deliver without being swamped by the tide. Wishing you safe travels in your own waterways ...and if you’re looking to steady your harbour or set a new course, let’s talk.
If governance feels like a burden, it’s probably broken. It shouldn’t be a tick-box exercise or a blocker. Good governance brings confidence, clarity and calm. It helps teams focus on what matters, surface problems early, and make better decisions. It enables delivery. It protects value. It creates space for people to do their best work, not get buried in process. It’s not about slowing things down. It’s how we make sure the right things move forward. A good PMO knows this. It’s not the enemy of delivery; it’s your best friend
We expect every project to justify itself with a business case… but when did the PMO last write one? We challenge delivery teams all the time: 💡 What’s the benefit? 💷 Is it worth the investment? 📏 How will you measure success? But the PMO? We quietly set up, get stuck in, and rarely ask the same questions of ourselves. We know we’re valuable but have we ever taken the time to explain why, in the same language we ask of others? If your PMO had to write a business case today… what would be in it?
Lately I’ve noticed a trend. More and more PMO roles are asking for specific industry knowledge. It’s made me pause and think about what organisations are really looking for. I’ve worked in higher education, financial services, insurance, the public sector, manufacturing and retail to name a few. Each sector has its quirks, but what a good PMO delivers is clarity, confidence and momentum. A good PMO brings structure, insight and the right level of control to make things happen. Not get in the way. We help people make better decisions, focus on what matters and move forward with purpose. Crucially, a strong PMO knows how to flex. We don’t apply a one-size-fits-all model. We bring expertise that can be shaped to suit culture, ways of working and appetite for risk. That’s where the real value lies. I don’t need to be an expert in your industry to make a meaningful difference. Part of the role is quickly understanding how the organisation operates. Then applying what works best. Of course, there are exceptions. But in most cases, being industry agnostic is a strength. It brings fresh thinking, challenge and a broader view. I actively seek new sectors for exactly that reason. Is this push for industry experience part of the buyer’s market we’re in? Possibly. It could also be a missed opportunity to do things differently. Are we too focused on industry experience in PMO hiring? When PMO roles ask for sector-specific experience, I get it. It can feel like a safer choice. Someone who knows the environment, the challenges, the language. But I keep wondering what we might be missing. There’s often an assumption that industry experience makes someone a safer pair of hands. That they’ll already get the systems, the acronyms, the unwritten rules. In fast-moving or complex environments, it can feel like one less thing to explain. A good PMO isn’t there to run the business. We’re here to make change happen. We bring structure, clarity and focus. We help teams prioritise. We support better decisions. We spot risks early. We connect the dots and keep delivery moving. These are skills that cut across industries. In fact, stepping into a new sector often sharpens our ability to ask better questions and notice what others may have stopped seeing. Hiring someone with the same background might feel like the obvious choice. Someone with fresh perspective and a wider lens can often help you move forward faster.
For this week I am going to share some of my own case studies. 1️⃣ The Visibility Crisis Drowning in Projects? Here’s How We Took Back Control
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On International Women’s Day, I continue to celebrate the woman who inspires me every single day: my daughter. She isn’t fearless, but she faces her fears with quiet determination. She has doubts, but she stands firm in her values. She is stronger than she realises, resolute in ways that amaze me. She’s studying film production and looks to build her future in cinematography: a field where women remain underrepresented. With her talent, determination, and unwavering passion, I have no doubt she will make her mark. She is my role model, and I couldn’t be more proud. #IWD #Inspiration #StrongWomen #FutureCinematographer
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When people hear the word GOVERNANCE in project management, it often brings to mind rigid processes and endless forms. For many organisations, governance is seen as something that satisfies audit requirements but gets in the way of delivery. But does governance really have to be that way? Absolutely not. When done right, governance becomes a crucial part of successful delivery. And both PMOs and project managers share responsibility in ensuring it works effectively without becoming a burden. Governance: A Mindset Shift Too often, I’ve seen organisations where governance is implemented only to cover audits, but with an attitude that it shouldn’t “slow down” delivery. This reflects a deeper misconception that governance is a necessary evil; something to work around. What’s needed is a shift in mindset, especially at the leadership level. This isn’t about choosing between governance and delivery. When embedded correctly, it supports delivery seamlessly, rather than hindering it.