343: Why a PMO Charter is a Bad Idea

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!

PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Have you ever spent weeks crafting the "perfect" PMO charter, got executive sign-off, and then watched it collect dust while stakeholders still questioned your value? 

Here's what nobody tells you: You don't need a charter. Not first. Not yet. And maybe not at all. 

In this episode, I'm calling out the biggest myth in PMO establishment—that you need a formal charter to be legitimate. 

Spoiler alert: Projects need charters. But if you're building a strategic function? You need something completely different. 

Here's what you'll discover: 

• Why charters are strategy in a vacuum (and how that backfires) 
• The six stages of the IMPACT Engine System™ that successful PMOs follow 
• How to build trust and credibility BEFORE you define your structure 
• Why you need a business plan, not a charter 
• The exact process for co-creating services that stakeholders actually want 

Bottom line: Does the sales department have a charter? Does IT? Does Finance? No. They have business plans. Because they're built to deliver ongoing value, not temporary results. 

Your PMO is no different. 

Ready to stop defending promises you made too early and start building a PMO the business actually wants? 

Click play to listen now and learn why the traditional charter approach sets you up for failure (it's basically strategy in a vacuum), and what successful PMOs do instead. 

P.S. If you're ready to become the strategy navigator your business needs, the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification gives you the coaching, tools, and step-by-step framework to make it happen. This live online workshop runs for four half-day sessions: February 11-12 and 18-19, 2026. Learn more and register now! 

Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!

I welcome your feedback and insights! 

I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!

Warmly,

Laura Barnard

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Mentioned in this episode:

339: You Are Not Your Certifications