Maximizing Project Success

We conducted ambitious research with a goal of developing a definition, measuring project success rates globally, and understanding which factors are predictive of success. To do this, it was essential to reflect a variety of stakeholder perspectives, including executives and customers.

More than 10,000 survey respondents from 141 countries, both within and outside of the PMI community, gave input to 55+ questions, with over 150 interviewees providing in-depth insights.

The result was reframing project success to build upon the traditional metrics like schedule, budget and scope—the hallmarks of project management success—to a broader perspective that encompasses stakeholder value and accomplishment of desired outcomes.

The overwhelming majority of professionals who participated in this research agree that it is necessary to think more strategically, focusing on project outcomes for company, community and society. And, it’s crucial to be flexible throughout the project, reevaluating metrics and keeping stakeholders aligned throughout. Ultimately, the research points to a firm consensus: Successful projects deliver value that was worth the effort and expense.

This creates four implications for how the community should think about and execute their work:

• Manage Perceptions: Help stakeholders to see value relative to the resources invested and feel aligned on objectives with measurable outcomes.
• Own Project Success: Be accountable for the project’s value, not only its execution.
• Reassess Parameters: Projects evolve. Adapt as needs, technologies or goals change to deliver value and manage perceptions.
• Expand Perspective: Consider how the project integrates and aligns with broader business goals and impacts the world.

Through this report, we’ve reframed the question—what is project success—in terms of what the profession brings to the world and for what it is accountable. This revolutionary research can potentially bring major changes that affect our daily work and significantly impact the future of the profession.

Maximizing Project Success outlines the categories of measurement, actions, conditions and capabilities that are predictive of success —so you can learn what project success means and the factors that can help to maximize project success. As the report sums up, increasing project success will not only produce positive outcomes—it will also demonstrate the value projects and our profession bring to the world.