A primary purpose of a P3O model is to provide a decision-enabling structure for an organization's investment in change. It supports senior management by providing objective information and analysis to ensure the portfolio of programmes and projects is aligned with strategic objectives. This decision support function is crucial for selecting, prioritizing, and balancing the change portfolio, thereby ensuring that the organization launches and continues to invest in the "right" projects and programmes that will deliver the most strategic value.

A. Ensures current projects are unaffected by changes to policy or strategy

A P3O model does the opposite; it helps assess the impact of strategic changes on the current portfolio to ensure continued alignment, which may involve stopping or changing projects.

B. Enables projects to efficiently develop their own financial processes

A P3O promotes standardization and consistency by providing common processes and tools, rather than encouraging individual projects to develop their own, which would be inefficient.

D. Allows senior managers to delegate their governance responsibilities

A P3O supports and enables effective governance but does not assume accountability. Senior managers remain accountable for governance decisions; the P3O provides the framework and information to support them.

AXELOS. (2013). Portfolio

Programme and Project Offices (P3O). The Stationery Office.

For Correct Answer (C): Section 2.2

page 9

states a key objective of a P3O is to "Ensure that the organization makes the right investments in its programmes and projects (doing the right programmes and projects)". This is achieved through decision support.

For Incorrect Answer (A): Section 3.4.2

page 27

discusses portfolio management

which includes re-prioritizing the portfolio in response to strategic changes

directly contradicting the idea of projects being unaffected.

For Incorrect Answer (B): Section 5.3.2

page 60

lists "Develop and maintain standards

processes and tools" as a key P3O function

which is contrary to projects developing their own processes.

For Incorrect Answer (D): Section 2.2.1

page 10

explains that a P3O provides a "decision-enabling/delivery-support structure". It supports senior management's governance role

it does not take it over. Accountability remains with senior management.