New research from the Ireland Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) indicates a significant positive correlation between remote or hybrid working models and project success rates. A survey of over 100 project management professionals revealed that 56% believe these flexible work arrangements contribute to higher project success.
The study, conducted in conjunction with the Chapter’s annual national conference, “Navigating The Next Wave,” in association with EY, also reported a notable reduction in the average cost of failed projects. Over the past 12 months, this cost decreased by 11%, from €710,000 to approximately €653,000.
Beyond project success, the survey identified remote or hybrid working as a leading sustainability practice within the sector, alongside choosing sustainable suppliers, waste management, and carbon emissions measurement. A substantial 55% of project management professionals consider sustainability a key factor in outlining project delivery models, with 76% observing an increased corporate interest in sustainability compared to the previous year.
Despite these perceived benefits, the survey also highlighted challenges. Nearly half (47%) of project managers reported an expectation to be in the office more frequently compared to a year ago. Communication issues were cited by 48% of respondents as the biggest challenge in managing remote or hybrid teams, followed by concerns regarding collaboration, scheduling conflicts, team culture, and visibility.
In response to the evolving landscape, “power skills” – including communication, problem-solving, collaborative leadership, and strategic thinking – were identified as the most crucial competencies for future project managers.
Peter Glynne, President of the Ireland Chapter of PMI, commented, “Project management across Ireland is rapidly evolving, with increasing ambition, scale, and complexity. Project management professionals must adeptly navigate this next wave of innovation by embracing workstyles and technologies that drive success, manage costs, and support sustainability. This also necessitates addressing existing barriers and fostering future skill development to ensure Ireland realizes the full impact of ambitious projects.”
Jennifer Ryan, EY Ireland Transformation Delivery Business Consulting Partner, added, “EY was pleased to once again sponsor the PMI National Conference. We recognize that project management is on the cusp of transformative change driven by technological advancements and new work practices. This year’s conference effectively highlighted the transformative potential of AI, the criticality of sustainability, and the future of work, all of which are already influencing how organizations and Transformation Management Offices (TMOs) are realigning capabilities to maximize delivery efficiency.”
