Managing complex projects is
the most pressing issue for
project managers in the
information technology industry,
with 56% of participants choosing
this response, according to new data
from ESI International.
The figures have been released from
the company's 'Business Challenges
and Hot Topics' survey, which covered
various levels of government, as well
as several other industries, including
financial services, aerospace and
defence, insurance, manufacturing,
pharmaceutical and healthcare.
Shortfalls in programme management
and business analysis skills highlight
many of the survey respondents'
concerns.
Among the overall findings to emerge
are the following:

When managing projects, the most
pressing issue is managing the most
complex, with 44% of participants
choosing this response. Close behind
this come 'adapting to changing
requirements' (42%) and 'developingproper metrics to effectively track
progress and outcomes' (41%).

When managing programmes or
project portfolios, the most pressing
issue, cited by 53% of participants, is
responding to organisational and
environmental changes that impact
the programme. Next to this came
'prioritising projects within a
programme or portfolio' (45%).

When managing business or project
requirements, the most pressing issue
(38%) is communicating effectively
with team members and stakeholders.
A similar number (36%) selected both
'developing and improving business
analysis competencies' and 'integrating
project management and business
analysis roles/functions'.

"The survey findings are important
for all organisations, because of the
essential role projects play in driving
organisations forward - from
organisational change to new product
development,” says J. LeRoy Ward,
ESI executive vice president.

“Good project management drives
success and, very important at this
economic juncture, helps organisations
do more with less," .
"The saying 'knowing you have a
problem is half the battle' comes to
mind. The project manager and senior
executive survey respondents know
where the trouble spots lie. Now they
need to accurately assess their people's
skills and implement initiatives to close
the gaps," he comments.
The survey also showed differences in
project management challenges
between the government and
commercial sectors. Managing global
projects or dealing with cultural issues
was cited as a greater concern to
commercial organisations (17%) than
to government entities (5%).
Managing risk of high-profile projects
is regarded as a pressing issue for 36%
of government sector respondents, but
only for 26% of commercial sector
respondents.
When defining requirements, the
implementation of a solution development
methodology - or determining
which one best fits the organisation -
was cited as a more immediate issue to
government sector respondents (33%)
than it was to respondents from the
commercial sector (22%).

November/December 2008, SupportWorld