Just over a third of organisations consistently delivered projects on time, underlining persistent weaknesses in project execution despite widespread investment in governance and management frameworks, according to new research from Wellingtone.
The consultancy’s 10th annual State of Project Management Report, published in March, found that only 36 per cent of organisations said they “mostly or always” completed projects on schedule. The findings, based on responses from project professionals worldwide, point to ongoing challenges in aligning processes, resources and reporting practices.
A significant share of the burden appeared to fall on administrative tasks. Around 72 per cent of project professionals reported spending at least half a day each month compiling reports, while 44 per cent said they were dissatisfied with the quality of reporting produced by their project management office (PMO).
The report suggested that many organisations continued to struggle with embedding consistent project management practices, contributing to delays, inefficiencies and missed outcomes. These issues were compounded by increasing demands for transparency and accountability, particularly in large or complex programmes.
Vince Hines, managing director at Wellingtone, said the findings reflected a gap between intent and execution. “Organisations understand the importance of effective project management, but many still face challenges around reporting efficiency, process consistency and PMO maturity,” he said.
The study also pointed to opportunities for improvement. Organisations that streamlined reporting processes, improved data visibility and strengthened governance structures were more likely to deliver projects successfully, the report suggested.
Wellingtone included a maturity checklist within the report to help organisations assess their current capabilities and identify areas for development, particularly in standardising processes and improving decision-making.
The findings come as companies across sectors face growing pressure to deliver complex transformation programmes on time and within budget, often while managing constrained resources and rising stakeholder expectations.
Despite advances in tools and methodologies, the report indicates that project delivery remains an area where many organisations continue to fall short, with execution discipline and operational alignment emerging as critical factors in improving performance.
