Why Project Management Maturity Matters

Understanding the 5 levels of PM maturity and their impact on your manufacturing success

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Predictable Outcomes

Mature organisations deliver projects on time and on budget consistently. Ad-hoc approaches lead to unpredictable results and constant firefighting.

Financial Impact

Low maturity costs organisations €127M for every €1B invested in projects. Mature organisations waste 13x less money on project failures.

Team Efficiency

Mature teams spend time delivering value, not fighting fires. Ad-hoc teams waste 20-30% of capacity on preventable issues and rework.

Competitive Advantage

Top-performing manufacturers average 82-85% PM maturity. Companies below 50% maturity struggle to compete in regulated industries.

The Foundation

Why PM Maturity Is Critical for Manufacturing

Project management maturity directly impacts your bottom line. Higher maturity means fewer delays, lower costs, and better outcomes. Lower maturity means chaos, waste, and missed opportunities.

The Journey

The 5 Levels of PM Maturity

Our maturity model assesses 12 critical domains across 5 progressive levels. Each level builds on the last, creating a clear roadmap from chaos to excellence.

Project Management Maturity Value to Your Business Level 1 Ad-hoc Reactive, no processes Level 2 Developing Basic processes emerging Level 3 Defined Standardised processes documented Level 4 Managed Processes measured & controlled Level 5 Optimising Continuous improvement culture Take Free Assessment Discover Your Level →

The Maturity Journey: As organisations progress through the 5 levels of project management maturity, they unlock exponentially greater business value through improved delivery, reduced waste, and strategic capability.

1

Ad-hoc

(0-20%)

Reactive, Unpredictable, Individual Heroics

Characteristics:

  • No formal PM processes or documentation
  • Reactive firefighting approach
  • Success depends on individual heroics
  • No project visibility or portfolio oversight
  • Unpredictable outcomes and timelines

Business Impact:

  • 70% project failure rate
  • €127M wasted per €1.16B invested
  • 60% repeat past mistakes
  • 50%+ budget and schedule overruns
  • Constant team burnout and turnover
2

Developing

(21-40%)

Basic Processes Emerging, Inconsistent Application

Characteristics:

  • Basic PM templates exist but rarely used
  • Some projects follow processes, others don't
  • Excel spreadsheets as primary tool
  • Limited project visibility
  • Reactive with occasional planning

Business Impact:

  • 52% experience scope creep
  • €142K average cost per scope creep
  • 25-50% timeline extensions common
  • 30-50% higher costs from rework
  • Fragmented data across spreadsheets
3

Defined

(41-60%)

Standardised Processes, Documented, Partial Adoption

Characteristics:

  • Formal PM processes documented
  • Standardised templates and workflows
  • Basic change control processes
  • Portfolio-level visibility emerging
  • Some metrics tracked

Business Impact:

  • 58-62% industry average maturity
  • €52K cost per week of delay
  • 28% more likely to experience delays
  • 20-30% wasted capacity, costing €232K+ annually
  • Better than ad-hoc, but still preventable losses
4

Managed

(61-80%)

Processes Measured, Controlled, Data-Driven Decisions

Characteristics:

  • Processes actively measured and monitored
  • Consistent application across organisation
  • Portfolio management with KPIs
  • Proactive risk management
  • Data-driven decision making

Business Impact:

  • 2.5x less likely to fail than Level 1-2
  • 30-50% faster project completion
  • 35-60% reduction in recovery time
  • 56% reduction in communication failures
  • Predictable outcomes and resource usage
5

Optimising

(81-100%)

Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Industry Leading

Characteristics:

  • Continuous improvement culture embedded
  • Lessons learned actively applied
  • Innovation in PM practices
  • Predictive analytics and AI integration
  • Industry-leading performance

Business Impact:

  • 82-85% top performer benchmark
  • 13x less waste than ad-hoc organisations
  • 40% fewer repeat mistakes
  • 30-50% faster completion from knowledge reuse
  • Competitive advantage in regulated markets

Where Does Your Organisation Stand?

Discover your current PM maturity level with our free 15-minute assessment

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The Evidence

Research-Backed Financial Impact

The business case for PM maturity is supported by extensive research from leading institutions. Below are verified findings from authoritative sources demonstrating the quantifiable value of project management maturity.

PMI

€114M Wasted Per €1B Invested

Organisations with low PM maturity waste 11.4% of their project investment due to poor performance. High-maturity organisations achieve 2.5x higher project success rates.

2024 Industry Report
Read PMI Pulse of the Profession 2024
McKinsey

45% of Projects Fail to Meet Goals

Only 55% of projects meet their original goals, and just 62% are completed within budget. Companies with mature PMOs show 33% better performance in meeting strategic objectives.

2023 Global Survey
View McKinsey Transformation Study
HBR

€1.5M Lost Per €10M Project

Research shows 15% of IT and transformation projects experience cost overruns, with mature organisations showing 40% better cost control through structured governance.

2023 Research Article
Read HBR Analysis
Gartner

67% Increase in Value Realization

Organisations with mature project portfolio management realise 67% more value from their strategic initiatives. Mature PMOs reduce project risk by 28% on average.

2023 Analyst Report
View Gartner PPM Maturity Report
KPMG

70% Reduction in Project Failures

Organizations with high PM maturity see 70% fewer project failures. Mature methodologies correlate with 56% higher on-time delivery and 48% better budget adherence.

2024 Global Survey
Read KPMG Project Management Survey
Standish

Only 29% of Projects Fully Successful

The CHAOS Report reveals just 29% of projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with all features. Organizations with mature practices show 2.8x higher success rates.

2023 Industry Benchmark
View CHAOS Report 2023

Key Takeaways

11.4%
Average waste in low-maturity organisations
2.5x
Higher success rates with high maturity
67%
More value realised from strategic initiatives
70%
Reduction in project failures

Discover Your PM Maturity Level

Take our free 15-minute assessment to identify your current maturity level across 12 critical domains. Receive a detailed report with actionable recommendations to progress to the next level.

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