Business Leadership for Strategic Success
In a challenging and unpredictable world, success requires strategies that not only embrace change, but enable it.
This page contains insight and thought leadership from APM designed with business leaders in mind, to provide advice and guidance on issues affecting the business environment.
Explore resources for business leaders:
Growth
Business growth drivers are activated through change that delivers value. Project leaders unlock growth potential by delivering transformation, anticipating challenges and ensuring the end result achieves the intended goals.
Did you know?
The project profession is a key contributor to the UK economy and society, generating £186.8bn of Gross Value Added (GVA) annually, or 9.2% of total UK GVA.
The Chief Project Officer - An Essential Part of the Future C-Suite
White paper
This paper explores the reasons, benefits and considerations for businesses when it comes to appointing a Chief Project Officer (CPO) to their executive board.
The Golden Thread: A Study of the Contribution of the Project Profession to the UK’s Economy
Research
This study assesses the contribution of projects and project management to the UK economy by quantifying the value of the project profession through data analysis, surveys and expert interviews.
Oportunities for future growth
Research
Our survey shows expected changes in project management work and budget size in the coming years, and how predictions have changed since our previous survey.
‘Driving Growth and Impact via Project Management’, The Maverick Paradox Podcast, featuring APM Chief Executive Adam Boddison
Podcast
Prof Adam Boddison OBE talks to Judith Germain about organisational growth, AI and the evolution of project management to a 'strategy execution' role.
Strategy
Execution is key to realising a strategic vision. Integrating project management principles into a strategy results in several benefits, including clearer understanding of responsibilities, increased adaptability and better risk management.
Did you know?
UK businesses that report they are “very good” at delivering project objectives and projects on time and within budget are more likely to describe their project management function as strategic.
Why strategies fail: Finding Focus for Successful Transformation
White paper
It has been reported that between 60%-90% of strategies fail, with fewer than 15% implemented successfully. This paper examines the reasons why, and how leaders can avoid or respond to them.
‘Project Management Acumen – The Superpower For Leaders In Navigating Successful Strategy’ Rethink Leadership Podcast featuring APM Chief Executive Adam Boddison
Podcast
Prof Adam Boddison OBE joins Jeremy Blain, CEO of Performance Works International, to discuss perceptions of project management and why leaders should think of it in terms of strategy execution.
The Difficult Questions you must Ask of your Strategy
White paper
This paper explores questions that leaders should ask to apply a project-centric approach to change, ensuring strategy remains as effective as possible in the face of continual upheaval.
‘But Tell Me How’ Institute of Directors Podcast, featuring APM President Yvonne Thompson
Podcast
John Browett speaks to Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL about her experience of arriving in the UK at a young age and starting a business after being passed over for promotion multiple times.
‘The Vital Role of Project Management in Executing Business Strategy’ Bernard Marr's Future of Business & Technology Podcast, featuring APM Chief Executive Adam Boddison
Podcast
Prof Adam Boddison OBE shares his insight into aligning project management with business goals, highlighting the importance of project professionals for navigating change and seizing opportunity.
The future
Leaders understand the importance of making their businesses sustainable and fit for the future. Organisations that can adapt and respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities have a competitive advantage. Project, programme and portfolio management enables these types of transformation.
Did you know?
The three things that leaders most expect to have the biggest impact on their business in the next three years are AI and automation, global economic shifts, and political and economic instability.
Adapt, Survive and Thrive: Leading Successful Transformation – Part One
White paper
This paper shares contributions from senior executives across a range of business sectors on how to lead succesful change and how to guide organisations through strategic transformations.
Adapt, Survive and Thrive: Leading Successful Transformation – Part Two
White paper
Building on the insights shared in its sister paper, this document contains expert opinion and advice to help leaders and their organisations thrive in a constatly changing world.
Adapt, Survive and Thrive
Webinar
John Mark Williams, CEO of the Institute of Leadership, and Dr Andrew Schuster, Managing Partner at the Promoveo Group, join the panel to discuss the pace of change and what it means for business leaders.
APM Business Leader Index Survey 2024/2025: Trends in Project Delivery Confidence
Research
Our year-long survey of UK business leaders shows confidence levels in their organisation's ability to deliver projects, trust in government project capability, and factors affecting their views.
‘Five Leadership Lessons from Professor Mike Bourne’
Blog
Mike Bourne, Professor of Business Performance at Cranfield University and Managing Editor of the APM Body of Knowledge eighth edition, shares his top tips for being a great project leader.
The Windsor Project Summit 2024 brought together senior leaders at St. George’s House, Windsor Castle for a thought-provoking discussion about the challenges that business leaders face.
APM has produced a series of white papers from this summit, which capture the insights, advice and key takeaways from the expert-led panels.
