Project management practice is evolving. Beyond frameworks and templates, real insight comes from data, lived experience, and analysis of how work is actually delivered in organizations, and I’ve captured some of that in the research and surveys that I have done.
This section brings together original research, surveys, and structured insights related to project management. I’m not an academic, and you won’t find any prizes for research best practice on this page, but the surveys and analysis provide a lot of background information, context and color to the role of a project manager.
Rather than focusing on theoretical models alone, this research highlights what practitioners report, what organizations prioritize, and where gaps appear between guidance and real-world practice. Mostly, this research has informed my books.
Project management is often discussed in terms of methods and certifications. However, delivery success depends on how those ideas are applied in context.
Research provides:
Whether you are building a PMO, reviewing delivery maturity, or planning your own career move, research adds depth beyond anecdotal advice.
Use these insights to inform discussions with sponsors, strengthen strategy documents, or challenge assumptions about “best practice.” Project management does not exist in a vacuum. The more we understand how it operates across industries and roles, the better decisions we can make locally.
And if nothing else, it can make you feel like you’re not alone. Project managers all over the world struggle with the same things that you do.
Below you will find the full collection of articles that cover the surveys and topics I’ve looked at.
There’s plenty written on why women don’t get the top jobs in project leadership – but there’s an assumption there that they want those jobs. I know many women do want to take senior jobs, and we do need to work at eradicating the reasons that cause talented, dedicated, knowledgeable women to miss out on…
The results of the 2015 collaboration tools and project management survey are in! Find out how your colleagues use technology on their projects, what they report as the benefits and the most popular tools in use today.
I interviewed Natalie Steck, President and CEO at software firm Viewpath about women in project management and the future of software in our industry.
I interviewed Jon Clay, President of the PMI UK Chapter, about his thoughts for Synergy. He also shares some amazing tips for change management.
President Jonathan Clay is keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes of the PMI UK Chapter. Learn more about what he is up to in this interview.
Learn about the different supporting roles in the project management profession. Sofia Hess talks about her role in project management marketing in this interview.
Rachel Gertz is a digital PM trainer and we sat down to talk about project management apprenticeships, a growing trend in the industry.
I sat down to talk with Chris Cook about his new book, The Entrepreneurial Project Manager, and how to become the best project manager that you can be.
PMCamp Barcelona is taking place 6 & 7 October 2017. I sat down with two of the organizers to learn more about this unique project management conference.
An interview with Pam Shergill, an Inspiring Women in Project Management.
Linky van der Merwe talks about project management in South Africa and her Success Stories Shared initiative.
Emma Seaton-Smith tells us about her path from jewellry making to project management and being nominated for the 2017 Rising Stars Award.