Average
budgets and risks are bigger—but successful organizations manage
complex and general projects using the same practices and techniques,
study says
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa - Wednesday, September 18th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS
WIRE) Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s largest
not-for-profit membership association for the project management
profession, today announced the release of Pulse of the Profession™
In-Depth Report: Navigating Complexity. Expanding on findings from the
2013 Pulse of the Profession, which revealed that companies risk $135
million for every $1 billion spent on a project, the new complexity
report reveals that average budgets for projects that are highly complex
are nearly twice as large than those with lower levels of
complexity—using significantly more resources and putting even more
dollars at risk for the organizations managing them.
Although
there may be a perception that navigating complex projects requires a
different set of skills or capabilities, PMI’s research proves
otherwise. Regardless of the number of highly complex projects,
organizations are managing projects with relatively the same set of
project management techniques, methods and practices, and have about the
same level of project management maturity. Further, PMI’s research
confirms that a project’s success or failure is not determined by the
degree of complexity, but by the mix of capabilities applied.
While
the new report finds several commonly reported attributes of complex
projects, including ambiguity and divergent stakeholder agendas, there
are no universal parameters for defining complexity. Engaging in debate
about a definition may only serve to distract organizations from
implementing practices that will improve the outcomes of all projects
and programs.
As reported in the 2013 Pulse of the Profession,
high-performing organizations have mature project management practices,
align their talent management with organizational strategy, and are
significantly more likely to be highly effective communicators.
High-performing organizations achieve an average project success rate of
80 percent, and risk 14 times fewer dollars than low performers.
Considering that average budgets for highly complex projects are nearly
double those with less complexity, success in this area translates into a
big boost to the bottom line — and requires more attention from
organizations.
Additionally, the complexity in-depth research
finds that high performers are focusing on specific capabilities within
these three broad areas to manage highly complex projects:
Create a culture of project and program management with engaged project
sponsors. Organizations with mature project management practices average
a significantly higher percentage of projects meeting original goals
and business intent compared to organizations with less mature
practices. Pulse research reveals that 79 percent of projects undertaken
by high performers have active project sponsors, compared to less than
half (43 percent) at low-performing organizations.
Assess and
develop talent with a focus on fostering leadership skills. Among
successful organizations, leadership development is most aligned to
organizational strategy. PMI’s Pulse of the Profession In-Depth Report:
Talent Management revealed that 70 percent of organizations have aligned
their leadership development program to organizational strategy.
Communicate effectively with all stakeholder groups. As revealed in
PMI’s Pulse of the Profession In-Depth Report: The Essential Role of
Communications, one out of two failed projects can be attributed to poor
communications. High performers report that effective communications to
all stakeholders—more than any other factor—has the greatest impact on
highly complex projects, and place more importance on effective
communications than low performers do.
Consistent success of
projects, regardless of the level of complexity, stems from mature
project management practice that is rooted in sound fundamentals,
including effective stakeholder management, transparent communications,
engaged project sponsors, and strong alignment of projects and talent
development to high-level strategy. With a solid project infrastructure
in place, organizations can achieve success by adapting to and
addressing the myriad factors that contribute to project complexity.
The
2013 Pulse of the Profession™ In-Depth Report: Navigating Complexity is
the latest follow-up study to PMI’s benchmark 2013 Pulse of the
Profession™ report, which charts the major trends for project
management.
To access PMI's Pulse of the Profession™ please visit www.PMI.org/Pulse.
About the Pulse of the Profession/Methodology
Conducted
since 2006, PMI's Pulse of the Profession™ is the annual global survey
of project management professionals. The Pulse of the Profession charts
the major trends for project management now and in the future. It
features original market research that reports feedback and insights
from project, program and portfolio managers, along with an analysis of
third-party data. The newest edition of the Pulse features statistically
reliable feedback and insights from project management leaders and
practitioners across North America; Asia Pacific; Europe, the Middle
East, and Africa (EMEA); and Latin America and Caribbean regions.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
PMI
is the world’s largest not-for-profit membership association for the
project management profession. Our professional resources and research
empower more than 700,000 members, credential holders and volunteers in
nearly every country in the world to enhance their careers, improve
their organizations’ success and further mature the profession.
PMI’s
worldwide advocacy for project management is reinforced by our globally
recognized standards and certification program, extensive academic and
market research programs, chapters and communities of practice, and
professional development opportunities.
Visit us at www.PMI.org, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.
Contacts
PMI
Megan Maguire Kelly, +1 610-356-4600 x7030
Megan.Kelly@PMI.org

No comments:
Post a Comment