Project Managed Organisation (PMO)

The Office of Government Business

NSW Department of Commerce delivers project management expertise.

The NSW Department of Commerce (Commerce) was formed in April 2003 from the amalgamation of a number of State Government departments, including the former Department of Public Works and Services (DPWS). Commerce now incorporates the: Office of Government Business; Office of Government Procurement; Office of Industrial Relations and Office of Information and Communications Technology.

The former DPWS received a Project Managed Organisation (PMO) award from the Australian Institute of Project Management, in 2002.

The Department continues to deliver project and program management services on a commercial basis to a diverse range of clients from a number of regional offices throughout NSW. Clients include both large and small state, federal and overseas government agencies and authorities, as well as local government and community and welfare groups. The total value of client projects' exceeds $1 billion.

The then DPWS first implemented a service improvement and change management strategy which resulted in:

• Improved client focus,
• A more consistent, higher quality of project management performance, and
• A more consistent, commercial approach.

The Department implemented a Management by Projects (MbP) methodology as a means of drawing on its diverse resources and skills to tailor solutions for its clients.

Implementation of a matrix management structure helped avoid barriers and rigid reporting lines and instilled a flexible goal-focused approach. The organisation's focus was, and continues to be, firmly on its clients’ needs and goals.

Recent projects include:

• Sydney Conservatorium of Music - architectural design and project management of the multi-award winning complex
• $80 million Coffs Harbour Health Campus - project management
• Parramatta Central Business District - development management involvement in the largest CBD outside Sydney.

The drive to continuously improve the project management approach within the Department of Commerce remains a priority. 

The Department’s current challenge is to adapt its project management model to a wider range of activities.  One of its primary concerns will be to retain and further improve its ability to draw on a rich internal and external resource and skill base, providing clients with a 'total' customer orientated solution which addresses and effectively manages their project needs.  

Photo above: Tony Collins, Deputy Director-General, Office of Government Business, Commerce accepts the PMO (from left) Peter FitzSimons (MC) at the 2002 NSW Chaper Project Management Achievement Awards gala ceremony in Sydney in August 2002.