Over half of project professionals reveal they have changed their project approach during UK lockdown

Over half (52 per cent) of project professionals say the methodology they use for their main project has changed since the start of the first UK lockdown in March 2020, a survey by Association for Project Management (APM) has found.

The survey, conducted with research company Censuswide, reveals the pandemic’s effect on project approaches since the first UK lockdown, as well as the main benefits achieved as a result of those changes. It emerged that, among those who have changed their method, a more hybrid approach was most common.

Of the 52 per cent of project professionals who have changed their methodology since March 2020:

• 51 per cent have shifted to a more hybrid approach
• 28 per cent have shifted to a more agile approach
• 20 per cent have shifted to a more linear or ’waterfall’ approach

APM’s survey also reveals the industry sectors which have seen the highest number of project managers changing approach to their main project, with healthcare/pharmaceutical, manufacturing and construction seeing the largest shift.

It was also found that the overall majority (85 per cent) of respondents who have changed their project method anticipate using their new approach on similar projects in the future.

The main benefits achieved as a result of changing approach are also revealed in the survey.

The main benefits reported by those shifting to a hybrid approach have been:

• Greater flexibility/adaptability (34 per cent)
• Better understanding of what is being delivered (20 per cent)
• Easier to identify and resolve issues (17 per cent)

The main benefits to those shifting to an agile approach have been:

• Greater flexibility/adaptability (28 per cent)
• Easier to identify and resolve issues (21 per cent)
• Quicker progress made on the project (21 per cent)

The main benefits for those who have moved to a linear/waterfall approach have been:

• Easier to identify and resolve issues (34 per cent)
• Quicker progress made on the project (23 per cent)
• A better understanding of what is being delivered (19 per cent)

For more information on the differences between project management methodologies, see our resource page here.