Rethinking Project Success Metrics

Part I

For decades, project success has been judged by three metrics: scope, time, and cost. Today, that is no longer enough; the question has shifted:

Was the value delivered worth the effort and investment?

According to PMI, modern organizations increasingly evaluate their program and portfolio performance through the Net Project Success Score (NPSS). The M.O.R.E. framework (Manage Perceptions, Own Success, Reassess Parameters, Expand Perspective) and NPSS invite stakeholders to rate projects on a 0–10 scale based on delivered value. Those ratings are then aggregated across projects to determine the percentage perceived as successful versus failed.

The result is not a project metric; it is an indicator of organizational capability within projects. Success is measured by the perceived value across programs and portfolios.

The average NPSS across surveyed organizations is 37 NPSS, a moderate baseline of perceived portfolio success. Adoption of M.O.R.E. practices varies, but a recent survey indicates organizations that implemented Manage Perceptions practices report up to a 10 NPSS higher project success rate, suggesting room for improvement through disciplined practice adoption.

Let’s start with the first pillar of the MORE framework: Manage Perception. Stay tuned for information on the other pillars in future blogs.

What does “Manage Perceptions” mean, and how can it be put into practice?

It means implementing relevant practices that influence how value is defined, measured, and communicated. Below are some of the more impactful practices:

• Map How Stakeholders’ Needs Will Be Addressed. Identify critical stakeholders, map value expectations, and use them during progress reports.

• Maintain a Register to Track Project Benefits. Communicate the benefits, risk reduction, cost savings, revenue generation, and customer satisfaction to stakeholders.

• Keep Project Participants Focused on Maximizing Value. Use value-based prioritization, make value visible in meetings, and make value-based trade-offs when facing constraints.

As a PMI-ATP, Inexertus is committed to supporting you in implementing the M.O.R.E. framework. Click here to request our consulting services.