pulse of the profession

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Project Management Insights from 2018 Pulse of the Profession Report

By Linky van der Merwe

Pulse of the profession 2018 Report“If your organization is not good at project management, you’re putting too much at risk in terms of ultimately delivering on strategy.”

Mark A Langley, President and CEO of PMI

The PMI’s “Pulse of the Profession” is the premiere global survey of project management practitioners which then charts the major trends for project management now and in the future. Based on research across different industries, some important insights came to light.

Watch the video or continue reading below.

#1 The future of value delivery is a spectrum of approaches:

  • Predictive
  • Iterative
  • Incremental
  • Agile
  • Hybrid

#2 Project professionals will learn in new ways and broaden their skills like:

  • Strategic advisor
  • Big thinker
  • Innovator
  • Communicator
  • Versatile manager

#3 Organisations will rely on their project professionals to take advantage of disruption – not just react to it.

The impact of digital transformation on project work is massive and some things you can do are:

  • Become a leader and true business partner in your organization
  • Ask the right questions
  • Deliver the business benefits of the projects you manage

Soft skills have become critical for project managers even more than 5 years ago and mature organisations who have invested more in their project management talent see strategic value from it.

Current state reveal trends such as:

  • Only 58% of organisations fully understand the value of project management
  • Only 41% or organisations with an enterprise-wide PMO report that it’s highly aligned to the organisation’s strategy.
  • 93% of organisations report using standardized project management practices which reduces risk and leads to better outcomes.
  • 72% of PMO leaders feel certification is very relevant for mid-career project managers as it requires ongoing professional development, allowing PM’s to evolve, enhance and grow a variety of skills including technical, leadership and digital skills.
  • 71% or organisations report greater agility over the last 5 years which is helping them to stay competitive
  • 1 in 3 organisations report high benefits realization maturity whereby tangible and intangible benefits should be considered.

According to the Pulse of the Profession there has been an evolution from ‘best practices’ to ‘next practices’ that encompass what is likely to come in future.

Linky

PMI Survey – Pulse of the Profession 2016

By Linky van der Merwe

PMI Survey - Pulse of the ProfessionRecently PMI has conducted their 8th global project management survey and published the results in the PMI’s Pulse of the Profession 2016 Report, called: “The High Cost of Low Performance”.

While expecting to see improvement from previous years, the results showed a decline in projects meeting their goals. The aim of this research is to strengthen conversations about the benefits project management delivers to organisations.

Here are a few highlights of the report, and click here for Pulse of the Profession 2016 (PMI members only).

In line with the PMI Talent Triangle that embodies a skill set combination of technical, leadership, and strategic and business management expertise, 40% more projects will meet their goals and original intent if they are managed by PM’s with these skills.

Organisations that align their EPMO with strategy report 27% more projects deliver successfully, and 42% fewer projects with scope creep.

When more than 80 percent of projects have an actively engaged executive sponsor, 65 percent more projects are successful. Yet, on average, only three in five projects have engaged executive sponsors.

Many challenges remain, like the fact that only 6 out of 10 organisations use standardised project management practices and benefits realisation remains low on 17%.

The demand for skilled and experienced project/program managers are on the rise.

Recommendations are made to address the situation including the following:

  1. Invest in ongoing project manager training
  2. Offer defined career path to those engaged in project or programme management
  3. Establish formal processes to develop project management competencies
  4. Transfer knowledge

Many benefits of formal project management are given, but the most important message is to keep spreading discussion around the strategic value of project management by following proven practices like aligning the PMO with organisational strategy, and more as explained in the Report.

In response to the challenges that exist and following recommendations made by the PMI, I have developed a Fast-track Growth Program to assist business professionals who are new to the project manager role, to help them become competent, confident and efficient. The online education teaches critical project management competencies like technical skills you need for the role, soft skills you use daily, the importance of governance, how to overcome common challenges and avoid typical pitfalls. It also addresses career options and helps to define a career path.  Project managers will walk away with a personalised growth and development plan to take action immediately.

Fast-track Growth ProgramThis accelerated Growth Program is available to all new or accidental project managers, as well as PMO Managers who want to improve skills of new project managers at their organisations. Please visit today and help to improve the project management maturity that will lead to more success!