Project Success
What is Project Success?
Our comprehensive research report on project success is about to challenge long-standing views. It will explore the surprising drivers of positive outcomes beyond traditional success models. Find out what it means for project managers and the profession.
In 2024, PMI declared its purpose: We maximize project success to elevate our world But what exactly does “project success” look like, after the 50+ years of evolution since PMI began? We saw a critical need to investigate the meaning of project success — a challenge to the long-standing views on what defines project success and the role of project professionals. We set forth a goal to develop a definition, measure success rates globally, and understand which factors are predictive of success. To do this, it was essential to involve a variety of stakeholder perspectives, including executives and customers.
PMI launches global research
We have conducted the most ambitious research initiative in PMI history, igniting a global movement by building upon the traditional metrics like schedule, budget and scope—the hallmarks of project management success— to a broader perspective that prioritizes stakeholder value and accomplishment of desired outcomes.
More than 10,000 survey respondents from 139 countries—both within and outside of the PMI community—gave input to 55+ questions, with 150 interviewees providing in-depth insights to reframing the definition of project success.
Project success is all about value
The overwhelming majority of professionals participating 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, even to the point of reevaluating project success based upon the Value > Effort + Expense equation as the project progresses. Ultimately, the research points to a firm consensus: Successful projects deliver value that was worth the effort and expense.
Learn more in this Reframing Project Success blog post or watch our Project Success Defined and Measured webinar replay.
Report lights the way to project success reframed
We’re calling upon the community to join us in a movement to reframe 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.
Watch for our report, coming later this year, that outlines the categories of measurement, management actions, conditions and capabilities that are predictive of success —so you can learn not just what project success means, but actually how to maximize project success.
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