Gap in six weeks but PMO won't approve hiring

[Angieee]

Running resource projections for Q2 and we have a significant problem coming, we have four projects requiring specialized data engineering work starting between April and May, but our current data engineering team can only handle about 60% of the projected workload. The gap is specific to people with experience in real time data pipeline architecture and we have general data engineers, but these projects need specialized knowledge that takes months to develop, I already flagged this weeks ago when the projects were approved and requested authorization to hire two contractors with this specific skillset but PMO denied the request citing budget constraints and suggested we cross train existing staff or adjust project timelines as needed. Cross training won't happen fast enough to be useful, and timeline adjustments weren't communicated to the clients who are expecting delivery based on the original committed dates.
Do you build these risks into your project plans upfront and set expectations that timelines are contingent on resource availability? I feel like I'm being set up to own a failure that's really a portfolio-level resourcing decision

 

[Ice4mericano]

I feel like I'm being set up to own a failure that's really a portfolio-level resourcing decision

After I read your situation, I you could be right.
Now, what you need to do is take immediate Action. Officially send an email/memo to the PMO and all stakeholders stating that "Based on the directive to decline contractor support, the projected delivery date for Projects 1-4 is now mid-Q3 due to insufficient real time data engineering capacity"
Do not "adjust the timeline as needed." state the fact of the new timeline imposed by the resource constraint. You must communicate the consequence

 

[mana9erRex]

That feeling of owning a budget failure is the worst. In situations like this, you have to force the portfolio team to make the real decision.
Don't let all four projects slow down equally! Go back to the PMO and present the gap clearly so that we can deliver Project A and Project B on time, or deliver all four 40% late. Ask which two projects are the absolute highest priority to protect their commitment?
This makes them reprioritize the work based on the resources they actually provided.

 

[Alan]

@Angieee totally feel you. I’d push back like @mana9erRex suggested. Lay out the gaps, show which projects can hit deadlines and which can’t. Let PMO make the tough call instead of owning it yourself.