The hidden project risk most organisations don’t measure.
Our award winning APM research developed with University College London highlights a major blind spot in how delivery risk is understood and managed.
Delivery confidence is collapsing
Despite years of investment in data, tools and governance, programmes continue to miss their intended outcomes. Over the past decade, the proportion of major projects considered “on track” has fallen sharply.
The underlying issue is rarely hidden in the milestones or budgets. It sits in misalignment, misunderstanding and mistrust between delivery partners.
What the research shows
84% of major UK government projects are experiencing significant challenges in delivery.
Our award-winning APM 'research paper of the year' with UCL shows a direct correlation between relationship quality and project performance. Yet 97% of organisations still do not systematically measure relationship health.
When relationship risk is unmanaged, delivery confidence deteriorates long before cost and schedule controls detect it.
Why the risk stays hidden
Traditional controls track what is delivered and when. They rarely reveal the health of the relationships driving delivery.
Relational risk often appears late, as:
- Slow decision-making
- Escalating conflict
- Defensive behaviours
- Disputes and misalignment across interfaces
By the time it is visible, performance is already compromised.
Explore the research
20+ years of research backed by UCL to help companies deliver their projects by measuring and developing critical B2B relationships.
The critical relational dimensions every business needs to measure against to drive successful delivery.
Looking into the future, why this is the new competency in project management.
