The Role of Project Management Office (PMO) in Construction Sector - A Qualitative Case Study in the Department of Municipality and Transportation (DMT) in Abu Dhabi Emirate

Sep 13, 2026

Project management office (PMO) has become increasingly essential due to its positive effects on undertaken projects, yet in the United Arab Emirates it may not operate as intended, particularly within Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipality and Transportation. This qualitative case study develops and validates the PMO’s role using a descriptive qualitative approach: literature review, presurvey foundations, and focus group deliberations. Across seven identified PMO functions, the study reports distinct PMO roles and supports future research into PM competency frameworks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Project management and PMO background

Research methodology

Literature review and presurvey

Focus groups and validation

Findings and discussion

Seven PMO functions and roles

Conclusion

Implications for further research

Journal of Research in International Business and Management (ISSN: 2251-0028) Vol. 11(5) pp. 01-09, October, 2024 Available online @ [https://www.interesjournals.org/research-international-business](https://www.interesjournals.org/research-international-business)management.html DOI: [http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303//jribm.2024.043](http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303//jribm.2024.043) Copyright ©2024 International Research Journals Research Article The Role of Project Management Office (PMO) in Construction Sector: A Qualitative Case Study in the Department of Municipality and Transportation (DMT) in Abu Dhabi Emirate Hamad Ibrahim MousaAlzaabi1*, Mohd Amin Mohamad2 1,2Institute of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship, University Technology Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), United Arab Emirates E-mail: [alzaabi.hamad.79@gmail.com](alzaabi.hamad.79@gmail.com) Abstract | Project management office (PMO) has become more and more necessary in many businesses in recent years as a result of its beneficial effects on the projects that are being undertaken. Although this situation is also present in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, PMO does not function as it should. Since there is currently no literature that expressly discusses the job of the PMO, this study aims to provide the PMO’s role so that they can effectively move out their project mission. Three primary tasks are carried out in this study using a descriptive qualitative research style. Initially, ascertaining the PMO’s functions based on the literature review. Secondly, basing the presurvey on the results of the literature review on the PMO’s functions. Establishing focus groups to deliberate, confirm the pre-survey results, and ascertain the PMO’s function is the third step. Throughout the seven PMO functions, this study identified numerous roles for PMOs. Respondents to the survey were PMOs, even though it was conducted as part of the PMO in the DMT in the UAE’s Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The results provide an opportunity for further research on the PM competency framework and add to the newest developments in PMO literature, according to practitioners and certain academics from the United Arab Emirates.
Keywords: Project Management Office (PMO), Construction sector, Qualitative, Case study, Department of Municipality and Transportation (DMT), Abu Dhabi, Emirate. | | | --- | --- | | INTRODUCTION | The Association for Project Management elaborates on the concept of project management, defining it as a holistic | | The domain of project management within the | process that encompasses the stages of definition, planning, | | construction industry, as articulated by Lippi and Mateusz | monitoring, control, and delivery to achieve specified benefits | | (2019), involves the processes of initiating, organizing, | (Moehler et al., 2018; Udriyah et al., 2019; Horani et al., 2023) . | | executing, monitoring, and concluding projects to achieve | It is recognized for its structured methodologies and vital | | predetermined goals within specified timeframes. Aftab | interpersonal skills, including collaboration, leadership, and | | et al. (2016) characterize it as the careful oversight and | teamwork, which collectively serve as a crucial mechanism for | | management of project aims and objectives. The Project Management Institute (PMI) emphasizes the importance | efficiently and effectively addressing intricate challenges (Silva et al., 2021) . This study specifically examines the qualitative | | of employing knowledge, skills, tools, and methodologies | dimensions of the Project Management Office (PMO) within | | to fulfill project demands (Abdelghany et al., 2017; Wijesundara et al., 2024) . | the Department of Municipality and Transportation (DMT) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. | | Received: 02-Sep-2024, Manuscript No. JRIBM-24-147121; Editor assigned: 05-Sep-2024, PreQC No. JRIBM-24-147121 (PQ); Reviewed: 20-Sep-2024, QC No. JRIBM-24-147121;

FAQs

Why is a PMO considered necessary in many businesses?

The study explains that PMOs are increasingly needed because they provide beneficial effects on projects, improving how project missions are carried out.

How does the study determine and validate the PMO’s role?

It follows a descriptive qualitative approach: functions are ascertained from a literature review, presurvey results are established from that review, and focus groups confirm and refine the findings.

What scope and setting does the case study focus on?

The research examines qualitative dimensions of the PMO within the Department of Municipality and Transportation (DMT) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Ben Jamin