You said Project Success?

Projects Make or Break Organizations

PMI just completed the biggest research study in its 55-year history. The reason? A hard truth: successful organizations are built on successful projects - but project success is rarely well defined.

The world is changing at a pace we can barely keep up with - AI, climate urgencies, innovation, geopolitical shifts, regulatory instability. Every business, government, and institution is scrambling to adapt. For most, it is either transform or face irrelevance.

And transformation means projects - lots of them. Some small. Some massive. Some important. Some critical. They mobilize scarce resources, and their success determines whether real change and progress happen. That’s why projects sit very high on every CEO’s agenda – as the enabler of the transformation inherent in their mandate.

The Outdated View of Project Success

For too long, projects have mostly been judged by three rigid metrics: time, cost, and scope. That’s not enough.

What matters too or even more is whether key stakeholders - executives, customers, communities - see the outcome as worth the investment. If they don’t perceive enough value relative to the resources they believe were engaged, the project isn’t a success. Period.

What It Takes to Win

Our research shows that project professionals and executives can drive success by focusing on what really moves the needle:

?? Clear success measurement beyond checklists

???Alignment with broader strategic goals and even social impact

???Strong, motivated teams that push projects forward

But more than anything, project success requires a mindset shift among project professionals, and among the executives who empower them. Success is about M.O.R.E.:

• Manage perception – A project isn’t successful just because it’s “done.” Stakeholders must see the value. That means project professionals need to actively shape and communicate outcomes - not just execute tasks.
• Own success beyond project management – Managing schedules, predefined scopes, and budgets isn’t enough. Project professionals must take full accountability for impact, minimize waste, and ensure alignment with business priorities.
• Relentlessly reassess – Consumer needs shift. Competition evolves. Technologies advance. Regulations and policies change. Project teams must continuously evaluate whether the project is still solving the right problem and does it efficiently.
• Expand perspective – The best project professionals think beyond their immediate task. They see the bigger picture - their organization, their industry, the world - and drive projects that truly matter.

A Call to Action

This research isn’t just insight - it’s a mandate.

For project professionals, it’s time to step up, challenge outdated thinking, and take ownership of value creation. The research highlights the true value that project professionals can play in driving meaningful, and successful, transformation, and delivering business results.

For executives, the message is clear too: Because projects are the engine of transformation, if you want innovation, if you want results, you need to empower project professionals and hold them accountable - not just to deliver, but to own success. Give them a real voice. Invest in them. Expect them to challenge assumptions to maximize value and reduce waste – beyond their unique ability to get things done.

PMI’s new report Maximizing Project Success, is free at pmi.org. Please read it. Apply it. Use it to elevate your projects, your organization, and your impact.

Pierre Le Manh, PMP

President & CEO, PMI