Congratulations!

Congratulations to Mr Lee Colgate, from East Sussex who is now the proud owner of an Apple iPhone. Lee was one of the scores of PM3 Associates that entered the survey and was fortunate enough to win the iPhone in the draw. Here are some of the findings from the 2007 survey:-

  Experience

Most project managers gain their experience in permanent roles before becoming self-employed. A growing number of project managers are turning to contract work as they realise their true value to businesses.

A majority of project managers have become contractors in the past three years to enjoy the flexibility and leadership capacity the role brings.

Project management is a vocation of experience and skill, project managers often start, at the earliest, in their late-twenties with significant experience.

90% of project managers have four or more year's experience

70% (2/3) project managers have over 7 years experience

53% of project manager have over 10 years experience

60% of project managers are new to contracting

30% have more than 7 years contracting experience

  Demand

Project Managers expect demand to remain consistent on 2007 with a slight increase during the course of the year:

Over a third (35%) expect consistency with 49% predicting a slight growth

Consultants are confident in the current market regardless of the unstable economic climate. Whilst project portfolio objectives may change during times of uncertainty, for example from revenue generating projects to cost reduction and/or avoidance projects, the need for change does not diminish significantly.

This is reflective in rates; PM3 expects rates to go up for those with more experience, while project managers going self-employed will pull rates down to win contracts.

Rates will be competitive in 2008 and value of service will be the key focus.

Project management rates are flexible; influenced by supply and demand and market conditions to the role.

Project management is a commodity item; it is a valuable asset to companies and projects.

  Margins

Project managers believe that margins on rates should be no more than 20%: 88% of believe margins should be below 20%.

A staggering 51% believe that margins should be less than 10%

8% (1/13) only care about being paid

  Remote Working

Levels of project managers using cutting-edge mobile technology are surprisingly low, illustrating that one of the key weapons in a PM's arsenal remains 'floor walking'. Project Managers are hired to get the job done, and irrespective of emerging technologies, there is no substitute for being on-site with your suppliers and looking them straight in the eye.

Only 21% of project managers use a 3G data card (1/5)

Less than 40% (39%, 2/5) use a smartphone

87% (9/10) use laptops/notebook

Only 19% (1/5) use a PDA

  Consultant's Experiences

PM3 consulting found that customers are often unable to articulate exactly what they want from a project but 89% of customers knew that they needed a Project Manager in order to delivery anything:

Unrealistic expectations: 51%

Project success criteria undefined: 56%

Client did not see need for a PM: 11%

Over 33% of projects are flawed at the outset. Either there is no business case detailing the investment and benefits returned by a project, or there is insufficient funding to be able to realise the benefits promised.