It’s almost 2025 and the debate on working from home continues with discussions across industries on redefining the traditional notions of work life.
Does it have an impact on employee and organisational productivity?
Delving further into the debate, Project Management Institute (PMI) surveyed thousands of professionals globally. It found compelling evidence that organisations can provide work location flexibility, agility and empowerment without affecting project execution and performance – calling into question the merit of return-to-office policies.
PMI revealed that teams don’t have to return to the office to increase project performance. Actually, enabling teams to adapt is the key factor leading to greater performance.
Despite this, leaders were less likely to see remote work as beneficial as in-person work – the study found 35% of leaders see remote work as always/usually less effective than in-person work (compared to only 23% of project managers).
“Empowering project professionals and teams with the autonomy to determine and implement the most appropriate ways of working – irrespective of their physical location – positions them for greater success in navigating uncertainties, evolving business landscapes, emerging challenges, and project demands,” explains Pierre Le Manh, president and CEO at PMI.
Enable to drive performance
The research also found that enablers (specific supportive programming that helps individuals and teams learn new skills and competencies) play a much larger role in driving project performance than work location.
In fact, providing teams with enablers is crucial in today’s dynamic business environment to navigate the demands for flexibility and agility.
PMI says the three most common enablers organisations provide are:
- Coaching and mentoring
- Training on new ways of working
- Communities of practice to share knowledge and expertise.
Organisations that offer employees at least three enablers reported significantly higher project performance rates. However, those that do not offer any enablers were more likely to experience scope creep challenges and increase budget losses on failed projects.
Also read Five strategies for thriving in a fast-paced workplace | Executive PA Media
