Welcome to the PMOSIG Book Project Page

Consistent with our vision to be the leading professional community providing innovation and thought leadership in the area of the PMO and related subjects and our mission to return direct value to our membership through thought leadership, the PMOSIG has chartered a project to create a leading publication on the PMO. Referred to in general as the "PMOSIG Book Project”, it is our goal to seek out timely and compelling authored contributions from practitioners and thought leaders which will be assembled into a professionally published text on the PMO. The edited work of this published work will serve the PMO community by providing insights and thought leadership that serves the needs of PMO practitioners worldwide by assembling contributions from authors with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The final published work will provide practical guidance to the project management and PMO community on a variety of PMO-related topics in the areas of execution management, organizational governance, organizational change management, and other related areas.

The PMOSIG is seeking PMO practitioners as well as other thought leaders in the areas mentioned above as contributors to this work. Contributing authors will enjoy recognition in the final published work through their contributions as well as a variety of other benefits. In order to further define the scope of this effort as well as to provide answers to some questions that you may currently be asking yourself, we have provided a set of common questions and answers. This set of questions and answers is not meant to be all inclusive and we encourage potential contributing authors to contact us should you still have questions after reading through the information provided. Contact information is available at the bottom of this page.

General Questions

Q: What is this project all about?

A: The goal of this project is to publish a practical guidebook for PMO practitioners. The key deliverable is a published book containing the contributions of a variety of PMO practitioners and thought leaders, edited for consistency and clarity, which helps to clarify the often confusing areas of PMO implementation, management, and maturity.

Q: What kind of book?

A hardcover, professionally produced, edited book, similar to many other project management books that you might find online or in bookstores.

Q: Who can be an author?

A: We are currently seeking brief proposals from potential authors who may be interested in contributing. As the book is designed to meet the needs of practitioners, we are especially seeking contributions from PMO leaders who have successfully implemented, managed, or matured a PMO in industry. However, we are also interested in contributions from thought leaders in the PMO space who may have unique insights into the PMO.

Q: What might I write about?

A: Contributions such as case studies, best practices, thought-leading insights, and practical frameworks for success are of strong interest. The list of potential topics that might be considered is numerous, but we would like contributions to fall into one of the following general categories:

Governance (including roles in organizational governance, portfolio management, and organizational change management)

Strategic and Tactical Management (including examples of how PMO's have participated in the strategic and tactical management and management of programs and project to achieve business benefits.)

Services (including development and management of: governance polices and procedures, standards, methodologies and processes, education and training programs, tools and templates, PMO technical systems, Program Manager, Project Manager and Portfolio assignments, etc. )

Maturity (including PMO maturity and driving excellence that enhances the PMO long term sustainability as a business function.)

Performance Measurement (including key performance indicators and processes used to manage the identification, recording, and analysis of the data)

Set-up and Execution (including best practices and case studies for successfully aligning new PMOs to business objectives, delivering benefits/ROI, and managing and expanding the PMO's scope of services)

Of special interest are items such as case studies and best practices that provide practical insight for PMO practitioners into the why and how of the topic. Highly theoretical material is not desired—think "handbook” or "guidebook” more than "dissertation” or "in a perfect world”.

Q: You mean like a whitepaper?

A: Whitepaper-type content may be appropriate; however in general we are seeking insightful contributions that provide some level of depth of coverage of a particular, relevant topic. No two whitepapers are alike so it is impossible to address every potential situation, but again, in general, we are looking for a depth of coverage that may go beyond the typical whitepaper.

Q: You mean like a novel?

A: No, not a novel either. The approximate length of manuscripts that we are seeking is considerably shorter than a novel. The key is finding the right balance of saying a lot while saying a little. It's not easy but we're hopeful that you'll take a bit of time to think about how you might be able to contribute to this important work.

Q: Okay, how long then?

A: Selected authors will be asked to contribute a manuscript of between 13 and 16 single-spaced, typed, 8.5”x11” pages, not including any tables or figures that are used.

Q: What is the process to become a "selected author”?

A: Unfortunately, we recognize that we will not be able to accept contributions from every author that may wish to contribute. We have a fairly straightforward author selection process. First, you share with us a bit about yourself and your background, as well as a few high level details about the topic(s) that you might like to write about. You do this via the form at the bottom of this page. If your topic and background fit well with the editorial outline and goals of the project, we will contact you and ask you to submit a formal abstract containing a more detailed table of contents as well as a few additional details. All submitted abstracts will be reviewed and rated by a panel and authors will be selected based on this review.

Q: What are the benefits for me?

A: Contributing as an author has several benefits. First and foremost, you are making a significant and lasting contribution to the available PMO body of knowledge. This cannot be materially valued but should be viewed as very important as sharing knowledge that is critical to advancing the adoption and growth of PMO's as a business function to advance Portfolio, Program, and Project Management best practices. Also, publication in a book such as this may have professional benefits to you as well either as a resume item or in other ways. Additionally, authors may claim PDUs for this activity under category 2F of the PMI continuing certification requirements. Contributing authors will also receive a copy of the final published book, soon after publication. Lastly, all contributing authors will be paid an honorarium for their time.

Q: Can you say more about the honorarium?

A: We recognize that writing is a time consuming effort and that the additional time that authors will contribute during the editing process is also of value. As such, we are offering a payment in the form of an honorarium for all accepted contributions that meet our requirements and are submitted as per our submission guidelines. The amount of the honorarium as well as more details on the submission guidelines and author agreement (i.e. contract) will be provided to prospective authors that are asked to submit a formal abstract.

Q: Can I submit more than one proposed topic?

A: Yes, you may make multiple submissions of proposed topics if you wish.

Q: What is the timeline?

A: We are currently in the process of soliciting authors via this page. The absolute deadline for submitting an initial statement of interest is January 31, 2010. Early submissions are encouraged as the author selection process will be a rolling process. Selected authors will be notified between January 15, 2010 and January 30, 2010. Completed manuscripts will be due no later than May 1, 2010, meaning that selected authors will have approximately three and a half months to complete their 13 to 16 page contribution. Editorial review and comment will take place between May 1, 2010 and June 1, 2010, with all editorial suggestions returned back to us no later than June 1, 2010.

Q: When will the book be published?

A: The target publication date is November 1, 2010.

Additional Common Questions

Q: Can I submit something that I've written for someone else?

A: The answer here is simple: Absolutely not. We are not able to accept any submission that has been previously published as a work for hire or for inclusion in the proceedings of a professional conference, in an online publication, or elsewhere where you have assigned the rights to your contribution to another party. Submissions made to the PMI Congresses, to journals, for inclusion in other books, to magazines, etc. are included in this policy and cannot be accepted. We are largely seeking original contributions but significant extensions to material you have previously published may be accepted as long as the contribution is materially different and does not violate any rights you have previously assigned to other parties.

Q: Can multiple authors collaborate together and submit a proposal?

A: Yes, you can. Please understand, however, that if your proposal is selected, the honorarium payment for your manuscript will be made per submission, not per contributor.

Q: Do I have to have previous writing experience?

A: The ability to concisely present your thoughts in a way that engages the reader and provides them with practical insight or thought leadership is important however previously publishing experience is not required. As we are especially seeking practitioner contributions, we definitely encourage potential contributors without prior publishing experience to consider this opportunity.

Q: Will I have help along the way?

A: Yes, you will. Accepted contributing authors will be assigned an editor who will work with them to answer questions, provide feedback, and address concerns while you are preparing your manuscript. Additionally, your contribution will be professional proofed by a copy editor who will address any issues of grammar, punctuation, clarity, readability, etc. The book's editors may contribute as well during this process by making adjustments to ensure the overall cohesiveness of the book.

Q: Three and a half months doesn't seem like a lot of time. Is it? Three and a half months seems like a lot of time. Is it?

A: It's hard to say how long it might take you to prepare your manuscript if you are selected as an author. Some authors can write 13 to 16 single-spaced pages in one weekend. For some, it takes a month to get the first page done. In general, we would recommend that authors take two months to prepare an initial draft of their manuscript and one month to review and fine tune it. However, you may want to work differently, which is fine.

Q: Does my contribution have to be entirely original?

A: You may draw on material from other sources however you will be required to obtain permission from external sources to use their materials. We will provide you with a form to secure this permission. Any content taken from third parties (other books, magazines, websites, etc.) must have permission for use secured prior to submission of your manuscript.

Q: Can I include information about products or services that I sell?

A: The answer here is simple: Absolutely not. We will not accept any commercial content, solicitations for business, product placements, or other attempts to advertise (directly or indirectly) any products or services. Selected authors will have a brief author biography published where you may mention a bit about yourself and your company if you wish.

Q: Can I include a case study?

A: Absolutely. Submissions that include practical case studies are definitely desired. However, if the case study references a particular company by name, you must secure the permission of that company to use its name. You will be provided with a form for this purpose as a case study of a successful PMO may be viewed as proprietary information by the business organization.

Q: If I am selected to contribute, can I submit my manuscript in a language other than English?

A: Unfortunately, no. All manuscript submissions must be in English.

Q: What rights do I have to my manuscript?

A: As is standard in the publishing industry, you will be required to sign an author agreement (i.e. contract) granting the rights to the material you create to PMI Program Management Office SIG and its publisher. You will retain the right to use your submission for your own future use, subject to the conditions contained in the author agreement, but you will not be able to further sell, redistribute, or use your contribution in a competing work.

Q: How will I be recognized in the final book?

Your name, title, and geographic location will be included along with the title of your chapter at the beginning of your chapter within the text. Additionally, you will be asked to submit a short biography, which will be included at the end of your chapter.

Q: Can I select where I would like my chapter included in the final book?

A: Unfortunately, no. In order to ensure cohesiveness, the editors of the book retain the right to place chapters in the order they feel best provides for a cohesive overall publication.

Q: Can my chapter contain figures, tables, or graphics?

A: In general, yes, figures, tables and graphics can be included if you think they will enhance your manuscript and final chapter. Complete details will be provided to selected authors but in general you may want to keep in mind that all figures, tables, and graphics must be your own original work or else you must obtain permission of the owner of the tables, figures, or graphics to use them. Additionally, tables, figures, and graphics must be submitted according to certain technical criteria, cannot be published in color, and do not count towards the 13-16 page manuscript page count.

Q: Will I receive royalties from the sale of the book?

A: No, you will not. The honorarium payment made to you is the only payment that you will receive.

Q: Who will receive the proceeds from the sale of the book?

A: Editors and others involved in the direct publication of this work will not be compensated. 100% of the proceeds received from the sale of this book will be paid to the PMI Program Management Office SIG, Inc. for the benefit of its members, or to a successor organization designated by the PMI Program Management Office SIG, Inc. membership as part of the formal dissolution process should the PMI Program Management Office SIG, Inc. dissolve for any reason.

Q: You answered a lot of questions but I still have more. How can I get answers?