Essential 2024 Insights for Project Professionals

As a project professional, you’re not here for the spotlight—you’re here for insights and tools to navigate a fast-paced, complex world. That’s exactly what our 2024 thought leadership reports deliver. This year, our Thought Leadership team offered innovative insights and transformative ideas that empower project professionals like you to thrive. Each report reflects our commitment to advancing the profession, shaping how project leaders and organizations tackle challenges and seize opportunities worldwide.

This resource is designed with one goal in mind: to give you practical, forward-thinking perspectives that address the challenges you’re facing today—and the ones you’ll face tomorrow. From adapting to new ways of working to unlocking creative solutions with generative AI, you’ll find actionable strategies to help your teams thrive.

Why does it matter? Because project success today demands more than just technical know-how. It requires a keen understanding of shifting methodologies—knowing when to go Agile, when a hybrid approach works best, and when predictive methods are still king. It’s about building cultures of innovation, equipping teams with future-ready skills, and using tools that drive meaningful impact.

The stakes are high. Whether it’s steering sustainability initiatives, managing digital transformation, or ensuring data privacy, project leaders are at the forefront of solving some of the world’s biggest challenges. This year’s reports offer insights tailored to help you deliver results in industries ranging from construction and energy to technology and beyond.

We know that your time is precious, so we’ve cut through the noise to highlight trends and strategies that truly matter. Our aim is to empower you to make better decisions, deliver greater value, and take your projects—and your career—to new heights.

January 2024

Driving Sustainability Strategy Home: Effective Practices That Take Businesses’ Impact Beyond Profit

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. As a key priority for most companies, it’s increasingly shaping their business strategy, culture, and operations. However, many organizations are facing significant challenges in achieving their sustainability goals. This report underscored that businesses must move beyond just talking about sustainability—they need concrete, actionable strategies, driven by visionary leaders who bring both expertise and a strong set of values to the table.

Over 500 executives were surveyed, and the consensus was clear: collaboration is key. By aligning with suppliers, partners, and stakeholders, companies can turn sustainability goals into tangible outcomes. As organizations embrace these principles, they’ll not only benefit the planet but also their bottom line.

February 2024

Pulse of the Profession 2024 - The Future of Project Work: Moving Past Office-Centric Models 15th Edition

This year’s Pulse of the Profession report focused on the evolving landscape of project work, emphasizing the shift away from traditional office-centric models. The findings reveal that agile, hybrid, and predictive project management approaches can all deliver similar performance results—success depends on choosing the right approach, not adhering strictly to one methodology.

The report also highlights the importance of empowering teams to select their ideal working methods, offering the flexibility to work remotely or in a hybrid environment, and stresses the need for organizations to provide the right tools, build skills, and foster a culture of resilience and continuous learning.

March 2024

Talking to The Machine: Prompt Engineering Essentials for Project Professionals

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping everything, including project management. In this report we explore the art and science of prompt engineering. The concept is simple: the clearer your prompts to AI tools, the better your results. This may seem easy, but it’s one of the critical skills project professionals need to master to work seamlessly with AI. Full of examples and actionable insights, this report will help you refine your prompts for maximum output.

April 2024

Global Project Management Job Trends 2024

Generative AI (GenAI) and fast-evolving technologies are reshaping industries, creating a growing demand for digital transformation projects and adaptable, skilled project professionals to stay competitive in a volatile global economy. Our report highlights how project management professionals must stay ahead of the curve.

Explore why professionals who embrace continuous learning and attain certifications, like the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, are better equipped to lead innovative initiatives, enhance productivity, and improve career prospects and salary potential in a dynamic job market. This report also highlights growth areas in key sectors like construction, energy, and sustainability.

June 2024

First Mover's Advantage: Immediate Benefits of Adopting Generative AI for Project Management

GenAI is changing how project professionals and businesses work. While adoption is still in its early stages, two distinct groups are emerging: "Trailblazers," who are high adopters of GenAI in project management and are already reaping increased engagement and tangible benefits, and "Explorers," who are just beginning their journey. Organizations that lead and support GenAI implementation are paving the way for transformative change.

In this report we empower organizational leaders and project professionals to recognize the transformative impact of GenAI on individual performance, as well as to identify factors contributing to enhanced adoption.

September 2024

Pushing the Limits: Transforming Project Management with Generative AI Innovation

Using GenAI successfully hinges on skilled project professionals and support from organizations, like clear plans, funding, and rules to handle data privacy and security. From automating mundane tasks to leveraging AI for creative problem-solving, the report revealed that the real power of GenAI lies in its ability to change how we approach complex problems.

But as the report points out, there’s a gap between "Trailblazers," who are high adopters of GenAI in project management, and "Explorers," who are just beginning. Read the report to learn why it’s time to catch up.

October 2024

Global MegaTrends 2024: People Planet Innovation

Our report explores the interconnected world we live in, spotlighting three key themes: People, Planet and Innovation. Within each trend, we look at the micro and macro forces that drive them and showcase projects that seek new and aspirational ways to work within them to enact positive change.

The report shows how these trends are reshaping how projects are run and, more importantly, how they can be leveraged to drive positive, global change. From cutting-edge technologies to collaborative efforts across industries, the report offers insights and a roadmap for navigating the future with purpose and urgency.

December 2024

Maximizing Project Success: Elevating the impact of the Project Profession. Elevating the impact on our world

This report on project success challenges the traditional definition focused on scope, budget, and schedule. Instead, it emphasizes that true project success goes beyond just completing tasks—it’s about delivering impactful outcomes that benefit organizations, communities, and society.

Our extensive research calls on project professionals to shift their perspective from managing execution to owning the value that projects deliver. The report identifies four key imperatives for achieving success:

1. Manage perceptions
2. Own project success
3. Reassess parameters
4. Expand perspective

Read the report to learn how these insights can help you maximize success and drive meaningful change. 

December 2024

Built to Thrive: PMOs That Elevate Innovation and Power Transformation

In a global climate defined by rapid change, project management offices (PMOs) are driving success. This report explores how high-performing PMOs are positioning themselves as essential drivers of innovation and transformation. With strategies like adopting new tech, upskilling teams, and redefining value, PMOs are becoming indispensable partners in company growth.

Read the report to learn how PMO leaders are positioning their teams as essential drivers of innovation and strategic impact by prioritizing these efforts.

For access to these reports and more, head to our Thought Leadership page.