Conclusions

The findings in this survey reflect a shifting environment for business leaders. While the data throughout 2025 was on a positive trajectory, with a rise in confidence and recruitment ease, the January 2026 results show a swift reversal of this progress. The sudden downturn can be attributed to a mixture of factors, including the rapid integration of AI, a widening skills gap, increasing economic pressures and political uncertainty, that have all combined to create a perfect storm. It remains to be seen whether the downturn in early 2026 will continue throughout the rest of the year, but the shift in most valued skills, with data literacy, professional development and adaptability overtaking risk management, suggests that business leaders are navigating this challenging landscape with a new focus on flexibility and data skills. 

Successful projects are vital for business. APM research shows that UK business leaders who integrate projects and project management principles into their strategies all report benefits from doing so, with the most commonly reported benefits being a clearer understanding of roles and responsibilities, increased adaptability and better risk management.

Over the coming year, APM will be doing all it can to help businesses and business leaders succeed in this challenging environment. We will keep releasing regular research reports that will explore the issues impacting the profession, we are continuing our work with the APPRG to help influence government policy in a positive way for the project profession and we offer high level business leader content that is created to help c-suite leaders navigate this environment. 

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Further resources:

The APM Data Literacy Framework is a practical guide created for managers, business leaders and practitioners that covers building stronger data capability across projects and organisations. The guide helps business leaders to assess performances, identify development needs and unlock the full value of data.

APM offers a range of qualifications designed to help project professionals in all stages of their project management careers develop their skills, knowledge and experience.

The APM Competence Framework sets out the competences required for effective project, programme, portfolio management and project management office (PMO). It helps managers, business leaders and project practitioners to assess and improve performance in the workplace. There are a number of ways to utilise our Competence Framework. You can browse or download all competences of the framework as well as take advantage of our new self-assessment tool to help improve your performance.