The State of Project Management 2026

The State of Project Management 2026 is an annual industry report published by Wellingtone, providing comprehensive insights into the current landscape of project, programme, and portfolio management. Based on data collected from hundreds of practitioners across more than 150 organizations globally, the report explores critical topics such as project success rates, PMO maturity, and the adoption of various management tools and techniques. The research aims to highlight both the successes and the significant opportunities for improvement within the profession, serving as a catalyst for organizations to enhance their project delivery capabilities.

Key Insights

• Project Performance Statistics:
  • Only 30% of organizations mostly or always complete projects on time.
  • 49% of organizations mostly or always complete projects within their defined budget.
  • Just 42% of projects are reported to deliver their full intended benefits.
  • One-third (1/3rd) of projects are not baselined, making performance tracking difficult.
• Organizational Maturity and Satisfaction:
  • 44% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current level of project management maturity in their organization.
  • Only 22% of respondents believe their organization has a high level (Level 4 or 5) of project management maturity.
  • While 52% of respondents believe their organization has a track record of success, the report suggests this may be an optimistic view when compared to actual performance data.
• PMO and Reporting Trends:
  • 86% of organizations now have at least one PMO.
  • 72% of respondents spend two or more days every month manually collating project reports.
  • 44% of organizations lack access to real-time project Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • 67% of practitioners believe the scope and responsibilities of their PMO will increase in the future.
• Processes and Challenges:
  • The top two management challenges remain poorly trained Project Managers and attempting to run too many projects.
  • 22% of organizations still rely on Microsoft Excel for project planning, while 11% use no project management solution at all.
  • The most challenging processes to embed are Benefits Realisation, Resource Management, and Project Prioritisation.
  • 58% of respondents mostly or always apply a defined project methodology.

Conclusion

The report concludes that while there are small, positive trends in PMO capability and professional qualifications, a substantial productivity gap remains due to a lack of investment in automated technology and mature processes. Many organizations continue to run projects in an ad-hoc fashion without consistent scoping, baselining, or risk management, which directly correlates to poor performance in meeting timelines and delivering benefits. To prepare for a future where work is increasingly project-based, Wellingtone emphasizes the urgent need for organizations to embrace automation, establish clear service catalogues for PMOs, and focus on fundamental planning skills to bridge the gap between strategic ambition and successful delivery.

You can check out the full report here.