Unlocking Strategy Execution: Insights from PMO Guru Bill Dow

OGs of Strategy Execution featuring PMO Guru Bill Dow

In the latest episode of Strategy Execution Unlocked's "The OGs of Strategy Execution" series, host Ben Chamberlain sits down with Bill Dow—a 35-year veteran, builder of 10 PMOs across four companies, author of seven books, and the 2023 PMO Global Alliance Influencer of the Year.

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The bullets below provide summarize parts of the episode

• From Tactical Execution to Strategic Partnership

  Dow traces the PMO's evolution over two decades: once focused on "cranking out projects" with time, cost, and schedule, today's PMOs are stepping into strategic roles—driving ROI, value, and alignment with organizational goals. "PMOs are becoming partners at the strategy table," he notes, emphasizing the critical mapping from lofty visions to actionable programs and projects.

  
  

• The Enterprise PMO Imperative

  A key challenge? Siloed domain PMOs (IT, marketing, HR) often duplicate efforts without enterprise oversight. Dow advocates for an enterprise PMO (or Strategy Execution Office) to enforce alignment, eliminate waste, and ensure cross-functional coherence. Culture, size, and executive buy-in determine its success—without political clout, domain teams "do whatever they want."

  
  

• Building a Cohesive Operating Model

  Chamberlain and Dow agree: strategy execution is a Venn diagram of intersecting disciplines—portfolio management, enterprise architecture, change management (e.g., ADKAR, Prosci), and value realization. Fractured silos erode value; integrated models plug the leaks. "It takes a village," Chamberlain says, calling for personalized governance over one-size-fits-all methodologies.

  
  

• The Missing Link: Value Realization

  Why don’t PMOs have a seat at the table? Culture and pain thresholds. Executives often treat value erosion as a "cost of doing business." Dow highlights a glaring gap: multi-year benefits (like a $50M payroll system) lack dedicated Value Management Offices to track ROI long after project teams disband. Solution? Proactive leading indicators, data-driven trade-offs, and embedding value decisions throughout execution.

  
  

• The Next 3–5 Years: Data, Analytics, and Value-Centricity

Forget AI hype for a moment. Dow predicts a surge in:

• Analytics dashboards pulling insights from project data.

• Benefits realization baked into delivery.

• Tighter strategy-PMO linkage, with teams understanding how their work drives enterprise goals.

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Final Takeaway

Strategy execution isn’t just about delivery—it’s about realizing and sustaining value. As Dow puts it, PMOs must shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, data-fueled stewardship. The future belongs to organizations that treat strategy execution as a core muscle, not an afterthought.

Missed the episode? Stream it now on Strategy Execution Unlocked. Stay tuned for more OG wisdom.