The online survey was commissioned by the Project Management Institute (PMI), but was conducted by PSB Insights from April 28 to May 6, 2025, among creative campaign professionals in the United States working at an advertising, marketing, creative, PR agency, or in-house agency/department.

In a statement released by PMI at the ongoing Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025, the institute said, “PMI highlights that 97% of respondents faced at least one major campaign challenge in the last year, including: going over budget – 55%, overdue deadlines – 54%, and constraints on creativity – 47%.”

The survey, conducted among 130 U.S. marketing and advertising agency professionals, also found that a third of campaigns – 34% do not resonate with their target audience or generate new leads – 35%.

Speaking on the survey, Menaka Gopinath, chief marketing officer at PMI stated that,

“In a tough marketing climate, with rising demands, tighter budgets, and shorter timelines, the execution side of creativity has never been more critical. The survey reveals that in 10 (90%) creative professionals agree: “Great creative campaigns do not happen without great project management.”

Creative leaders also say project management professionals: allow the organisation’s leaders to focus on driving growth (52%), ensure campaigns contribute positively to the brand over time (52%), get all the different parts of the campaign working together (50%), manage increasingly complex campaigns (45%) and ensure campaigns are long-lasting (45%).

By keeping teams aligned, stakeholders engaged, timelines on track, and encouraging creative momentum, project management helps strong ideas grow into powerful brand activations, Gopinath stated.

“Today’s CMOs are juggling more platforms, priorities, and pressure than ever before—and it’s easy for even the strongest campaigns to lose focus and veer off-track,” she said adding that “Effective project management provides the structure and clarity creative teams need to drive momentum, work collaboratively, and deliver results that align with business goals. By bringing order to complexity, project management empowers marketing leaders to stay focused on strategy and turn complexity into opportunity.”

According to Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO of PMI “Marketing matters more than ever, but it also has to perform, in spite of its increasing complexity”.

“Every dollar must drive measurable impact, and every great idea must scale. That’s where project professionals become a force multiplier. They don’t constrain creativity, they operationalise it. They fight waste, play an essential role in managing complex assets, teams, cultures, tech stacks – and turn ideas into results. Ultimately, they drive more execution efficiency and speed, which translates into more profit for both agencies and clients,” PMI CEO added.

Project management professionals are no longer viewed as back-office schedulers—they’re emerging as team motivators and strategic leaders. While most agencies rely on them to keep projects on track (60%), more than half (52%) say their greatest impact lies in energising creative teams.

As creative work grows more complex, expectations for project managers are shifting. In-house marketing teams and agencies now prize strategic skills like innovative thinking (67%), growth strategy (60%), and adaptability (57%) over budget and resource management (49%). Project managers today aren’t just delivering campaigns—they’re helping teams evolve.

Le Manh said,

“This is why, despite the rise of AI and automation, agencies are doubling down on people. Nearly all (98%) say they’re growing their project management capabilities—primarily through talent, not tools. 32% are training current staff, and 28% are hiring—reinforcing the belief that successful campaigns begin with skilled, empowered professionals.”

Yet their contributions often go unnoticed. Nearly half (48%) of creative leaders say project managers are the unsung heroes of campaigns – delivering critical, behind-the-scenes value, from steering complex activations, to aligning teams and keeping everything on track.

The survey also found that sharpening project management skills gives marketing teams the edge. Teams led by certified project managers outperform those without certification, delivering stronger results and audience-aligned campaigns.

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According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the global economy needs 25 million new project professionals by 2030, as increasing jobs require project management-oriented skills.

The rapid expansion stems in part from the global economy becoming increasingly project-oriented. 

Demand is especially significant in developing economies like South Africa and NIgeria, with nearly every organisation needing skilled project managers to drive change and innovation.

It will be critical to upskill the current workforce and introduce project management to a new generation of professionals to meet demand.

According to McKinsey, the volume and value of current African infrastructure projects is immense, estimated at some $2.5 trillion in active projects to be completed by 2025. However, it must be noted that not all those projects come to fruition, as more than 50% remain in the feasibility stage of development.

“Every sector you can think of, from healthcare, construction, finance, and manufacturing to information technology and fintech, all require project management talent. The pivotal role played by a project manager and other stakeholders in building infrastructure can raise countries’ productivity and drive the economy,” says George Asamani, MD, SSA, PMI, on International Project Management Day.

The IPMD is marked on the first Thursday of November. 

Project managers make ideas a reality. As organisations strive to remain competitive, project managers have the complex task of executing the strategy. They bring immense value to the business with their ability to see the “devil in the details.” 

“The ability of project managers to manage scope, time, and cost coupled with analytical proficiency, communication, and problem-solving skills has resulted in a surge of hiring in industries traditionally less project-focused like healthcare,” adds Asamani. 

“The pandemic may have caught the world by surprise, but the ensuing race against time to develop, mass produce, and double vaccinate global populations was a success made possible by project managers.”  

Operation Warp Speed was a remarkable project management success that resulted in developing two life-saving Covid-19 vaccines in 11 months! OWP’s accelerated processes for problem-solving can be applied to other projects. 

As workplace roles in healthcare and other industries evolve to center on specific projects rather than static responsibilities, many jobs are becoming project-driven, resulting in greater demand for project management talent. Organisations and governments with a long-term view on infrastructure must recognise the need and move swiftly to address it through upskilling and reskilling. 

Employees with the potential to become effective project managers may jump at the chance when considering the financial benefits of obtaining a job in this high-demand field. A recent PMI salary survey across 40 countries has reported that people with a PMP certification report median salaries that are 16% higher than those without the certification. Half of the respondents (50%) said that their compensation (including salary, bonus, and other cash incentives) had increased over the 12 months before completing the salary survey.

According to the Talent Gap report, in 2019, salaries for project management-related roles in the U.S. were, on average, 78% higher than other jobs in project-heavy industries. 

The increasing complexity of projects and evolving market needs driven by advances in technology approaches and techniques are putting project managers under enormous pressure to stay abreast of new development.

Continuous learning and building on existing knowledge, skills, and the latest best practices enable project managers to flex their muscle memory to drive change and innovation.

“I continue to encourage project managers and budding project managers and those whose success relies on project managers to – keep your skills and knowledge up to date, keep growing your network and keep developing your power skills. Our research shows that project success not only depends on your technical execution and the iron triangle of scope, cost, and time but also on your power skills,” says Asamani. 

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Celebrated on the list are medical illustrator, Journal of Global Neurosurgery, Chidibiere Ibe, Shuttlers Metropolitan Mobility Co. Ltd co-founder Damilola Olokesusi, and 48 other young rising leaders who are dedicated to forging a better tomorrow.

As much as global megatrends – such as the climate crisis; digital disruption; and civil, civic, and equality movements – create a massive impact on society, they also create implications for projects and the profession of project management.

Projects are how individuals, organisations, and entire societies are mitigating the impact of these global megatrends, which puts immense pressure on those leading projects.

Even as individuals strive for a balance between the many worlds we live in — virtual and physical, personal and public — the 2022 Future 50 honorees have risen to the challenge of making a new and better reality for all.

According to a statement released, Michael DePrisco, the Interim President and Chief Operating Officer at Project Management Institute (PMI) said, “In a world filled with rapid technological advances, demographic shifts, and the resulting complexities of globalisation, this year’s Future 50 list is a testament to how the next generation is driving change. “These rising leaders exemplify our mission of making a difference around the world through projects, and we are proud to tell the story of their impact on society.”

Other Honorees from Sub-Saharan Africa include Alcides Cabral, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP, PMP, Unitel from Angola, Christian Leke Achaleke, Local Youth Corner Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Bismack Biyombo, Bismack Biyombo Foundation, Sub-Saharan Africa.

This year’s Project Management Institute Future 50 honorees were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted from around the world. The final list represents a full spectrum of regions, industries, and achievements in The Project Economy – one in which people have the skills and capabilities they need to turn ideas into reality.

While some honorees are Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification holders, others may not even describe themselves as project managers.

What unites the Future 50 honorees is their commitment to projects, and how they are the foundation for positive impact today and tomorrow.

The post Project Management Institute 2022 Future 50 List is Out – Chidibiere Ibe, Damilola Olokesusi made it! appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The findings in the new report, “PMO Success in Sub-Saharan Africa” which polled 4,069 people involved in leading or facilitating the delivery of projects, programs, and portfolios demonstrate that The Project Economy can be reengineered with a people-focused and digitally-enabled approach to project management to suit the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.   

Nigeria and South Africa led the response profile with 24% and 23% respectively followed by Kenya (11%) and Ghana (10%) in the multi-sector research involving construction, financial services, IT, telecommunications, government, and others.

While the global maturity index score shows there is still a long way to go for PMOs on their maturity journey, it identified a cohort of 230 PMOs called the “Top 10 Percent”, leaders across all parameters of the index – governance, integration and alignment, processes, technology and data, and people.

The Top 10 Percent serve as a benchmark for what organisations in SSA can do to join them.

Companies with advanced PMO maturity performed much better than the previous year in common performance indicators such as revenue, customer loyalty and acquisition, and environment, social, and governance (ESG).

This was highlighted in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where the Top 10 Percent supported the sharp pivot their organisations took by accelerating new ways of working and de-risking their environment.

Ashwini Bakshi, Managing Director, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI, says, “The PMO has a vital role as the world transitions to a post-pandemic era. PMOs will be more agile and move beyond the tactical execution of projects and perform a wider range of activities that drive strategic value. These evolved PMOs will embrace new technology, focus on team culture and help develop project managers into ambassadors for value creation. They will also have a greater presence in the boardroom by working with the C-suite to align projects effectively with organisational strategy,” Bakshi adds. 

“Most organisations have been integrating digital technologies into their way of working long before COVID-19. However, when the world was forced online, efforts only accelerated, with talent management taking a backseat. As businesses re-emerge, now more digitally transformed than ever, they will need to embark on a “talent transformation” journey to progress their vision. Without the right talent in place, projects and programs are likely to fail, or the vision compromised to fit with the organisation’s capabilities.”

The PMI 2021 Talent Gap Report predicts that demand for project management-oriented employment (PMOE) in SSA will grow by 40% by 2030.

The global economy will need 25 million new project professionals by 2030, meaning that 2.3 million people will need to enter PMOE every year to keep up with the demand.  

According to Bakshi, the potential in sub-Saharan Africa resides in its people. By developing talent strategies that suit the unique needs of the region and promote a digitally enabled workforce, organisations can harness this potential and propel their own growth.

More about Project Management Institute (PMI)

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading professional association for project management and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals and individuals who use project management skills.

Collectively, these professionals and “changemakers” consistently create better outcomes for businesses, communities and society worldwide.

PMI empowers people to make ideas a reality. Through global advocacy, networking, collaboration, research, and education, PMI prepares organisations and individuals at every stage of their career journey to work smarter so they can drive success in a world of change.

The post Talent, Tech to Bolster the Success of Project Management Offices in Nigeria, Says PMI appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The partnership aims to boost youth employability by making them industry ready for the Project Economy. New Horizons will roll out PMI’s products to universities and corporates. 

New Horizons Nigeria is a franchise of the US-based New Horizons International – the world’s number one ICT training institution.

New Horizons International is reputed for its global impact, with offices in 85 countries, a daily student attendance of over four million, and the first choice of the top Fortune 500 companies for their training needs.

As part of the agreement, New Horizons, a Premier Level Authorised Training Partner for PMI, will roll out Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) to 19,000 university students.

The youth will benefit in multiple ways, one, access a curriculum which is in line with industry requirements and secondly, be job-ready for several project management-oriented employment opportunities unlocked by the Project Economy. 

PMI believes that the future of work is project-based, and teams will deliver on values and strategic objectives.

Careers will increasingly revolve around a portfolio of projects rather than a bulleted list of static job responsibilities.

More exploratory projects will require different methodologies and frameworks, requiring project managers to adopt the most appropriate methods, management styles, and thinking.

Globally, the value of project-oriented economic activity over the decade is likely to reach $20 trillion.

PMI’s Talent Gap report predicts that the number of jobs requiring project management-oriented skills from economic growth and retirement rates will create the global need for 25 million new project professionals by 2030, meaning 2.3 million project managers will need to fill project management-oriented roles every year.

During this decade, Sub-Saharan Africa will witness a 40% growth with project management-oriented employment opportunities considered the largest globally. 

George Asamani, Business Development Lead, Africa, PMI, says, “This partnership is very strategic as New Horizons will deliver courses relevant to many industries and sectors driving Nigeria’s growth. When businesses compete for these skills, Nigerians can expect better employability prospects and remuneration.”

“Our certifications are globally recognised, which means Nigerian youth will also be able to tap into the burgeoning remote work market.” 

New Horizons’ goal is to get as many Nigerians as possible trained on eight core PMI certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Programme Management Professional (PgMP), Project Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP), Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) and Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA). 

“The labour market in Nigeria is characterised by a significant mismatch between skills demanded by industry and those possessed by the youth. We see this across the continent and is not limited to Nigeria. We know what tomorrow needs; hence we decided to partner with PMI to bring training and education to the youth that is relevant in the contemporary labour market,” says Tim Akano, MD, New Horizons Nigeria. 

“Nigeria is sitting on a demographic goldmine that could transform the country’s fortunes. However, without addressing the problems of skills mismatch and the lack of digital skills, the youth will continue to miss out on opportunities in the labour market”. 

To ensure Nigerian youth can fully participate in the economy by seeking out in-demand skills, New Horizons offers 100% scholarships to disadvantaged students. It also helps solicit sponsorship from well-to-do individuals and allows students to pay in instalments. 

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In the shadow of the pandemic, while some students in Nigeria were unable to attend school in any form, others had to quickly adapt to the new reality of online learning and in some cases through traditional media, radio and TV.

Assisted by the teaching community, they submitted assignments on time, met attendance targets, problem solved and ensured parent and teacher satisfaction.

In many ways, these students are the first generation of workforce in decades that found its way out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic without any formal training in managing projects.

The pandemic which felt like a temporary inconvenience is a stark reality we will confront daily in how we live, work and play.

Its biggest and irreversible impact has been on the world of work. Change is inevitable, thanks to the many technological advancements in recent times. However, its arrival was certainly accelerated, and under the spectre of the pandemic, it was a landslide.

The kind of careers that Nigeria’s Class of 2021 may have envisioned, has shifted due to the pandemic. The companies on their wish list are already reconfiguring to find new ways to stay relevant and deliver new products and services.

These radical shifts simply mean two things, the career you choose today needs to keep up with the changes of tomorrow, and professionals, including the youth, need to learn new skills to keep up as well.

As companies emerge from the pandemic, they are quickly realising that buzzwords like lean and agile don’t just apply to IT departments.

Companies want to hire changemakers, not just job seekers, who have a learning mindset and can pivot when needed. Therefore, it is critical for Nigerians to harness project management skills and secure their futures amidst the pandemic.

Globally, the value of project-oriented economic activity over the decade is likely to reach $20 trillion (₦820 trillion).

Project Management Institute (PMI’s) Talent Gap report predicts that the number of jobs requiring project management-oriented skills from economic growth and retirement rates will create the global need for 25 million new project professionals by 2030. Here in Sub-Saharan Africa, we will witness a 40% growth in project management-oriented employment, the largest globally over this period.

Speaking at the recently concluded COP26 Summit, President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria needed a cumulative $1.5 trillion over the next decade to achieve an appreciable level of the National Infrastructure Stock for which his administration had established a clear legal and regulatory framework for private financing of infrastructure.

The President welcomed the G7 countries for its ground-breaking plan to mobilise hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure investment for low and middle-income countries.

Author and leading expert on project management Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, writes in his new book that unlike businesses in the 20th century that relied on advances in efficiency and productivity to drive value, today the focus is on projects.

Managing the organisation around projects drives short-term performance and long-term value creation, through organisational transformations, faster development of products and quicker adoption of new technologies.

The pandemic has vastly intensified that need. The pressure on companies has never been greater to remodel their business to fit changing requirements. To leverage this opportunity, they will need a new approach to project management and a fast recipe for skills development.

In The Project Economy, talent managers will seek skills and behaviours needed to succeed in a world that is increasingly driven around projects.

Power skills like empathy, collaboration, and communication will be non-negotiable and can make your resume stand out. Technical skills like decision making framework methodology, earned value and cost management that ensure projects are delivered on time and budget are easily learnable.

Some of the foundational skills necessary for a successful and rewarding career in project management can come from anywhere, even from the pandemic as noted earlier.

There are several online resources available on Project Management Institute (PMI’s) website to test one’s aptitude for managing projects including the free PMI KICK OFF.

The Nigerian economy could well use some of the skills the youth displayed during the pandemic as it embarks on megaprojects to spur recovery. You might even turn the skills you thought you never had into a successful career.

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