Data, ethics and humans – solving the strategic misrepresentation bias in projects webinar

Research shows that only 0.5% of programs and projects deliver to time, cost, and benefits, with 50% of large projects failing due to strategic misrepresentation. With such a high failure rate, it's essential to understand the causes and drivers of this issue.

We held three events in 2023, to collectively understand the scale of strategic representation (widespread) and to generate ideas to tackle this.

This webinar held on Friday 17 May sought to share learning from the last year of APM events and articles on the topic of strategic misrepresentation. The webinar presented opportunities for attendees to share good practice and express an interest in joining future development and research opportunities.

This was a joint webinar between the Governance and Enabling Change Interest Networks, supporting the project data analytics taskforce principle that "all projects are data designed and data enabled."

By listening, you'll gain the following benefits:

Conceptualise project success problems
Understand strategic misrepresentation
Learn about the behavioural drivers of strategic misrepresentation.

Webinar resources

The panel have very kindly allowed their presented material to be made available for viewing. The slides including the audience polling data are below and the webinar recording is available on YouTube, in our APM resources area, and also embedded below for reference.

This webinar content is suitable professionals with any level of experience.

Engage with the series

Panel presenters

Andy Murray, Executive Director, MPA Data & Ethics

As Executive Director at the Major Projects Association, Andy brings over 30 years of experience in managing projects and programs, specialising in governance and handling complex projects. His varied experience across sectors enriches his role as APM Governance Interest Network Chair. Andy is recognised for developing best practice guidance and is set to delve into the ethical dimensions surrounding data.

Donna Unitt, Head of Delivery, Rocket Consultancy

Donna has a robust 25-year tenure in supply chain logistics and over 20 years directing transformative projects. She is the Head of Delivery at Rocket Consulting, an SAP Partner, and APM Enabling Change Interest Network Chair.

A certified APMP Change Management Practitioner, Donna is dedicated to organisational growth and will examine misrepresentation through the lens of human behaviour and change, seeking collaboration and existing research in the field.

Greg Krawczyk, Strategic PMO Manager with Age UK

Greg, a Chartered Project Manager with a 15-year track record, balances his role at Confluity, which focuses on project management resources and addressing project failure, with volunteer work at the APM’s Governance Interest Network.

Nermeen Latif, Digital Project Controls, WSP

Nermeen has worked in major project delivery for the past 25 years, working in and setting up PMOs, with a special interest in planning and assurance. Nermeen is a member of the project Data Analytics Task Force; she is an advocate of digital revolution and using it to drive our profession forward, ensuring that a data driven approach is the default, and part of what we do. She currently leads the digital PMO offering at WSP.