PMI Launches Make Reality Virtual Hub to Inspire People to Turn Ideas into Reality

Philadelphia

Digital Experience Aims to Jumpstart Changemakers’ Postponed Goals and Dreams

Project Management Institute (PMI) today launched Make Reality, a virtual hub designed to inspire and support changemakers as they drive transformation and create positive social impact across the world while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Telling the unique stories of changemakers – those at the forefront of driving change, personally and professionally – as they created impact in today’s project-centered world, the virtual hub empowers changemakers to get started on their next project or see a project through to the finish line that was left on hold.  

Nearly four in five consumers (79 percent) in PMI’s Make Reality Global Survey 2020  said they consider 2021 a “do-over” year due to the COVID crisis. But 83 percent said 2020 prepared them for 2021, and an even greater number (86 percent) plan to work harder this year to bring their good ideas to life.

“The pandemic disrupted countless 2020 plans, but many leaders and innovative thinkers used the time wisely to map out their next moves,” said PMI Chief Operating Office Mike DePrisco. “As more communities and organizations across the globe cautiously turn to recovery and revival, teams are increasingly focused on turning their stalled projects into reality. However, making that idea a reality isn’t easy and requires effective project skills and new ways of working; that’s why PMI is empowering changemakers to take action through the Make Reality virtual hub.” 

From KICKOFF to Power Skills
The PMI virtual hub features videos and true stories of changemakers across the globe turning their ideas into reality – from creating biodegradable batteries for electric vehicles in India to restoring animal habitats following the Australian wildfires. The hub also connects changemakers to PMI tools, resources, and courses on project management best practices, including KICKOFF – a free, 45-minute digital course and toolkit that guides learners through the basics of project management with bite-sized content and downloadable templates they can quickly implement on the job. 

The Make Reality virtual hub  also helps project management professionals and non-professionals identify their unique changemaker persona and offers information about the “power skills” or social behaviors – like communications, empathy, collaborative leadership, and an innovative mindset – that are important in driving change and allow people to work well together to get things done. They complement the technical or vocational skills required and can often spell the difference between a project’s success or failure. 
Research Offers Reasons for Optimism

The vast majority of changemakers are open to learning new skills. According to the PMI survey, 81 percent of consumers plan to learn new skills to bring their projects to life. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) plan to take a more active role in driving change, and 66 percent are optimistic about their ability to be successful.

Consumers are bringing similar ambitions – and a certain adventurous spirit – to their professional lives. Over two in ten (22 percent) are interested in starting their own business, and a similar number (22 percent) want to start a new job. They are also interested in increasing their level of responsibility on the job (28 percent) and learning new, job-related skills (31 percent).
Among these are power skills like creativity (35 percent), communication (38 percent), and collaboration/teamwork (25 percent), as well as project management skills themselves (24 percent).

“We hope to build on this sense of excitement and optimism with our Make Reality virtual hub,” DePrisco said. “We believe there’s a pent-up desire to make change and to have impact in all spheres of peoples’ lives – personal, professional, and in the realm of social good. Our goal is to give people the tools – and a bit of inspiration – to get started.” 

For inspiration and to take the next step into turning their idea into reality, changemakers can visit  pmi.org/Make-Reality

Survey Methodology:  
Project Management Institute fielded two online global surveys among 8750 total respondents between November 6 and November 25, 2020. A total number of 1750 business leaders who influence or make decisions on behalf of their company (250 per country) and 7000 general consumers (1000 per country) were surveyed from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Best efforts were made to balance the general consumer samples to reflect their respective national representation across gender, age, region, household income and race/ethnicity. The estimated margin of error (MOE) was 2.3% for the business thought leader survey and 1.7% for the general consumer survey at a 95% level of confidence.


The Future Isn’t Something You Sit Around Waiting For | Make Reality

Make Reality is a celebration of the ideas that make our world stronger, and the projects that bring them to life. Because the future isn’t something you sit around waiting for; the future is the reality you decide to create.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the leading authority in project management, committed to advancing the project management profession to positively impact project success. We empower professionals to excel in project management practices through our growing global community, knowledge sharing, and best-in-class certifications—driving positive change in organizations and communities. Since 1969, our unwavering mission has been to advocate for the profession by offering life-long learning and connections to sharpen high-demand skills. Today, PMI provides professionals at every stage of their career journey with the globally recognized standards, online courses, thought leadership, events, and tools they need to succeed. With 300 more than chapters around the world, PMI members can network, find mentors, access career opportunities, and learn from peers, working together to drive greater impact.

Visit us at www.pmi.orglinkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, facebook.com/PMInstitute, and on X @PMInstitute.

Project Management Institute, PMI, and BRIGHTLINE are registered trademarks of Project Management Institute, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For Media Contact Only:

MaryKate Dougherty
Corporate Communications Specialist
[email protected]