28th International Congress on project Management "Project Management in the Digital Decade"

This paper proposes a model for the establishment of a supportive Project Management Office (PMO) within university-based Scientific Research Organisations (SROs), grounded in the principles of Collective Intelligence (CI). The aim is to contribute to a more effective management of research projects in the academic sector, where existing approaches often fail to fully capture the complexity and collaborative nature of scientific work. The research uses a qualitative approach that includes a review of the relevant literature and the formulation of a model that incorporates the principles of CI and emphasises their application to the design and implementation of a supportive PMO. The model consists of four phases: analysis of needs and expectations, co-design of PMO structure and roles, pilot implementation with iterative refinement and sustainable institutionalisation. Based on this model, a supportive PMO grounded in collective intelligence can improve coordination, increase transparency and build a stronger project management culture within SROs. The paper offers practical guidance for academic institutions seeking to strengthen their internal research support structures and provides insights that may contribute to future investigations in this area.