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Reports that every Project Manager should read

Insights from The Standish Group, PMI, IPMA, APM, Scrum Alliance, and Axelos Global Best Practices
July 25, 2023 by
Reports that every Project Manager should read
José G. Pestana

Staying informed about industry trends, best practices, salaries, and benchmarks is essential for success. Several renowned organizations and research entities provide valuable reports and studies that offer insights into various aspects of project management. This article examines important reports from The Standish Group Chaos Report, PMI (Project Management Institute), IPMA (International Project Management Association), APM (Association for Project Management), Scrum Alliance, and Axelos Global Best Practices. We will explore key findings related to salary, frameworks, and other pertinent information provided by these sources.

1. The Standish Group Chaos Report:


The Standish Group Chaos Report is widely recognized for its annual assessment of project success rates. It analyzes project outcomes based on factors such as budget, schedule, and scope, providing valuable insights into project success and failure. This report highlights the importance of effective project management practices in achieving project success. It emphasizes the significance of clear requirements, stakeholder involvement, and agile approaches. For those interested in exploring the report further, you can visit their website at: Standish Group Chaos Report.


2. PMI's annual Project Management Salary Survey:


PMI, a renowned global professional organization for project management, publishes various reports and surveys that offer valuable insights. PMI's annual Project Management Salary Survey provides comprehensive salary data for project managers and professionals in the field. The report includes information on average salaries, bonuses, benefits, and geographic variations. It also explores the impact of certifications, experience levels, and industry sectors on salary expectations. This report enables project managers to benchmark their salaries and make informed career decisions. If you're interested in exploring the report further, you can visit their website at: PMI's Project Management Salary Survey.


3. PMI’s Pulse of the Profession Report:


The PMI (Project Management Institute) is renowned for its extensive research and expertise in project management. One of the notable contributions from PMI is the release of the annual "Pulse of the Profession" report. This report serves as a comprehensive analysis of industry trends and best practices in project management. With a keen focus on critical areas such as talent management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, the report sheds light on key concerns faced by project professionals. By identifying and discussing these challenges, the Pulse of the Profession report offers valuable insights and recommendations for organizations and practitioners to enhance project success rates. It serves as an essential resource for project management professionals seeking to stay updated on the latest industry developments and implement effective strategies in their projects. If you'd like to explore the report further, you can visit the following link: PMI's Pulse of the Profession Report.


4. IPMA's Publications:


IPMA, a global federation of project management associations, conducts research and publishes reports to promote professional project management practices. During 2019-2020, IPMA was involved in several global surveys, collaborating with reputable organizations such as PwC, AIPM, KPMG, and the University of Applied Sciences Koblenz. These surveys covered a wide range of topics, including the impact of artificial intelligence in project management, the future of project management on a global scale, and the status quo of scaled Agile practices.


While IPMA doesn't release specific salary reports, its research studies provide valuable insights into project management competencies, leadership skills, and the influence of cultural factors on project success. By accessing these reports, project managers can enhance their knowledge and capabilities, ensuring effective project delivery. For example, the "Artificial Intelligence impact in Project Management" report, conducted in association with PwC, can be accessed for further information on this topic.


Additionally, IPMA's collaboration with AIPM and KPMG resulted in the "The future of project management: Global outlook 2019" report, offering valuable insights into the future trends and challenges in the field: 


Moreover, IPMA's partnership with the University of Applied Sciences Koblenz in the "Status Quo (Scaled) Agile 2019/20" study provides project professionals with an in-depth understanding of Agile practices at a scaled level.


These reports enable project managers to stay informed, acquire industry knowledge, and apply best practices to enhance their project management endeavors.


5. APM's Salary and Market Trends Survey:


APM, a leading professional body for project management in the UK, produces several reports focusing on various aspects of project management. APM's Salary and Market Trends Survey provides insights into salary levels, career progression, and market trends specific to the UK project management sector. The report includes data on salary ranges for different roles, sectors, and geographic locations. It also examines the influence of qualifications, experience, and gender on earning potential. 


APM's other reports cover topics such as project success factors, project management maturity, and future challenges. These reports offer valuable information on best practices, organizational frameworks, and emerging trends in project management. If you're interested in exploring the Salary and Market Trends Survey, you can visit their website at: APM's Salary and Market Trends Survey.


6. State of Agile Report:


Scrum Alliance, a globally recognized organization for agile methodologies, offers insights into agile project management through various resources and reports. While Scrum Alliance doesn't release specific salary reports, its State of Agile Report provides valuable information on agile adoption, benefits, and success factors. It highlights the impact of agile practices on project outcomes and organizational performance. This report enables project managers to understand the value of agile methodologies and their implications for project success. For those interested in exploring the State of Scrum report further, you can visit their website at: State of Agile Report.


7. Axelos Global Best Practices:


Axelos is a global leader in best practice frameworks, including PRINCE2 and ITIL. While Axelos doesn't release salary reports, its best practice guides and reports offer valuable insights into project management methodologies, processes, and frameworks. These reports help project managers understand and implement industry-standard practices, enhancing project success rates.


Regarding best practice frameworks, such as PRINCE2® and ITIL®, Axelos is a world leader. Although Axelos doesn't publish compensation statistics, its best practice reports and guides provide insightful information about project management frameworks, procedures, and approaches. These studies improve the success rates of projects by assisting project managers in comprehending and putting into practice industry best practices.


The ITIL®, PRINCE2®, and MSP® core best practices are matched with Axelos to provide you with the knowledge, know-how, and tools you need to excel in your role. Best practice books, studies, and articles help you stay current with market trends.


The following table summarizes the key findings from the six reports discussed in this article



Report

Organization

Frequency

Focus

Chaos Report

The Standish Group

Annually

Success and failure factors in projects, and recommendations for improving outcomes.

Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey

PMI

Annually

PMI's Project Management Salary Survey and its value in providing comprehensive salary data and insights for project managers.

Pulse of the Profession

PMI

Annually

Industry trends and best practices, talent management, risk management, stakeholder engagement

IPMA Project Management Salary Survey

IPMA

Every 3 years

IPMA's research studies provide valuable insights into project management competencies, leadership skills, and cultural factors for project success, enhancing project managers' knowledge and capabilities.

State of Project Management Salary Survey

APM

Annually

APM's reports provide insights into salary levels, career progression, market trends, project success factors, maturity, and emerging trends in project management.

State of Agile Report

Scrum Alliance

Annually

Scrum Alliance's resources and reports provide insights into agile project management, including the State of Agile Report, which highlights agile adoption, benefits, success factors, and the impact of agile practices on project outcomes and organizational performance.


Key Takeaways


Reports from The Standish Group Chaos Report, PMI, IPMA, APM, Scrum Alliance, and Axelos Global Best Practices provide valuable information and insights for project managers. PMI's Salary Survey offers salary benchmarks, while PMI's Pulse of the Profession report highlights industry trends and best practices. IPMA's research studies focus on competencies and cultural factors influencing project success.


APM's reports cover various aspects of project management, including salary trends and market insights in the UK. Scrum Alliance's State of Scrum report emphasizes the benefits and success factors of agile methodologies. Axelos' best practice guides help project managers implement industry-standard frameworks. By leveraging the information from these reports, project managers can enhance their knowledge, make informed decisions, and improve project outcomes in their careers.


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