All but the smallest IT organizations need a portfolio management office (PMO). IT will always have more work in its list than it can work on, and, given the complex operating environment of most IT shops, managing all the resulting projects to successful completion will always be a challenge. But while a having a PMO is necessary to successfully navigate these demands and constraints, many PMOs struggle. The secret to a successful PMO is to: 1) understand the different PMO functions, from project management process standardization to business case development; 2) craft a firm-specific PMO model; and 3) engage the business in the development of PMO processes and reports.