How PMOs Are Expanding Their Role
in a Complex World
An exclusive interview with co-authors of The Evolution of the PMO:
The Rise of the Chief Project Officer – Part 8
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY5VY4KV)
INTERVIEW
by Aina Aliieva (Alive)
International Correspondent
PM World Journal
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
General Introduction
A year ago, we set out to redefine project management leadership through a collaborative writing challenge. Earlier this year, we were thrilled to announce the release of “The Evolution of the PMO: The Rise of the Chief Project Officer,” now an Amazon bestseller. This groundbreaking book brings together insights from 40 global authors, each offering unique perspectives on modern project management complexities.
This article follows part five published in the October PMWJ. It captures more of the essence of our year-long collaboration and invites you to engage with the dynamic conversations driving innovation in project management
Interviews
Introduction
For many years, the PMO was defined by governance, reporting, and compliance. Those foundations still matter, but the expectations of organizations have shifted. Today, the PMO is asked not only to ensure delivery but to enable transformation — to integrate strategy, sustainability, and resilience in ways that traditional models were never designed to handle.
This evolution is fueling the rise of the Chief Project Officer (CPO), a role that reflects a broader horizon for project leadership: one where delivery is inseparable from strategy, and value is measured not just in outputs but in outcomes. To explore this horizon, I spoke with five leaders who are shaping the conversation in distinct but complementary ways.
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- Naomi Caietti explores how PMOs can embrace growth mindsets, AI, and sustainability to prove their strategic relevance.
- Rodrigo Cenizio Ferreira uses the lens of Darwinian evolution to show why PMOs must adapt — and why the CPO role is the next step in survival.
- Zubair Siddiqui outlines Hybrid and Green PMO models that integrate performance, inclusivity, and sustainability.
- Eman Deabil makes the case for the Enterprise PMO as the secret weapon in high-stakes transitions such as mergers and acquisitions.
- Peter Mihok shows how professional communities amplify all of these ideas, accelerating maturity and recognition for PMOs worldwide.
Together, their perspectives reveal that the PMO’s future is not a single path but a strategic ecosystem — one that adapts, integrates, sustains, and connects.
Note that backgrounds of the interviewees can be found at the end of this set of interviews.
Updated and Expanded Interviews
Aina: Naomi, you write that future PMOs must shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. What does that look like in practice, and how can leaders make the shift themselves before expecting it from their teams?
Naomi: A fixed mindset in PMOs shows up as rigid adherence to “the way we’ve always done it.” I’ve seen leaders insist on templates and dashboards even when those tools no longer serve the strategy. A growth mindset is the opposite — it asks, “What can we learn, and how do we adapt?” In practice, that means creating space for experimentation, allowing teams to test approaches without fear of punishment, and celebrating lessons learned even when outcomes fall short of expectations.
For leaders, the shift must start internally. If you expect your PMO to be adaptive, you need to model it. That could mean admitting when a governance model is outdated and being willing to replace it or showing curiosity about AI rather than skepticism. Teams watch leaders closely — if they see leaders learning, adjusting, and asking better questions, they will follow. The growth mindset isn’t just about optimism; it’s about building resilience by treating every project as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Aina: AI is emerging as both a tool and a disruptor. How do you see PMOs harnessing AI to demonstrate value while also protecting the human aspects of leadership?
Naomi: AI is already transforming project management, whether we acknowledge it or not. Tools can now generate reports, analyse risks, and even suggest portfolio scenarios faster than any human team could. The danger is that leaders confuse efficiency with leadership. If AI produces a flawless status report but no one has the courage to interpret its implications, the PMO still fails.
More…
To read entire interview, click here
How to cite this interview: Aliieva, A. (2025). The Strategic Horizon: How PMOs Are Expanding Their Role in a Complex World; An exclusive interview with co-authors of The Evolution of the PMO: The Rise of the Chief Project Officer – Part 8; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue XI, November. Available online at: https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pmwj158-Nov2025-Aliieva-The-Strategic-Horizon-PMO-Interviews-Part-8.pdf
About the Interviewer
Aina Aliieva
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aina Aliieva (Alive) is an experienced Agile Coach and a Business Consultant with 20 years of experience in different industries, from hospitality and tourism to banking and engineering, a Founder & CEO at Bee Agile and a CEO & VP of Marketing at The PMO Strategy and Execution Hub.
She is a keynote speaker on Agile, Project Management, Negotiation, People Management, and Soft Skills topics. She was a guest instructor at NASA in 2022 & 2023 with topics on Conflict Resolution & Negotiation and Facilitation Techniques.
Her book, “It Starts with YOU. 40 Letters to My Younger Self on How to Get Going in Your Career,” hit the #1 position in the #jobhunting category on Amazon and is featured in a Forbes Councils Executive Library.
She also contributed to the books “Mastering Solution Delivery: Practical Insights and Lessons from Thought Leaders in a Post-Pandemic Era”, “Green PMO: Sustainability through Project Management Lens” and “Agile Coaching and Transformation: The Journey to Enterprise Agility”.
Aina was also a Finalist in the Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year category in 2021 by the Canadian SME National Business Award
She can be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aina-aliieva/
To view previous interviews and other works by Aina, visit her author showcase in the PM World Library at https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/aina-aliieva/
