Has project and program management progressed over the years?

Ortelius's 1570 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Photograph from the United States Library of Congress

As I move toward the end of my full-time career, I occasionally find myself looking back and reflecting on all the projects and programs I have led over my career. Interestingly, even though many of the initiatives were difficult, stressful and exhausting, the memories are surprisingly filled with positive emotions.

I have been fortunate to work in multiple industries, leading initiatives from both business and technology perspectives – launching new initiatives when the enthusiasm was highest and stepping in to recover projects when morale was lowest. But most of all, I remember the many skilled, positive and interesting people I have had the pleasure of spending time with.

Still, with the benefit of hindsight, one frustration remains. 

It’s that the same mistakes my colleagues and I encountered decades ago still happen today. Not in every case — but far more often than I would have expected, especially given the rich history we could easily learn from.

Even the fundamentals — scope, schedule, issues, risks, dependencies — are sometimes poorly handled. And while there are countless project management courses available, the importance of these basics is not always universally understood or applied.

Why is that? Is it that the industry itself hasn’t matured? Or is it the relentless pace of modern business? The increasing complexity of today’s technologies? Or perhaps the unrealistic expectations of stakeholders who want everything faster and cheaper?

There is no single answer.

Still, I remain hopeful. Each new generation of delivery professionals brings fresh energy, new perspectives, and the opportunity to do better.

Perhaps the most valuable legacy we can offer isn’t a list of past successes or failures, but a commitment to sharing what we have learned (those hard-earned “delivery scars”). Just maybe, those previous mistakes won’t be repeated quite so often — and the path to successful delivery will be clearer.

I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on this topic, do you think organisations are improving, getting worse or is a middle that is neither success nor failure getting wider?