ARRAS People Release Early Results from 2010 Project Management Benchmark Report

Reported by Miles Shepherd in the UK

Arras People, the Project Management Recruitment Specialist in UK, have released early results from their 5th annual Project Management Benchmark Report. The annual report takes an in-depth look at current issues and hot topics within the Programme and Project Management (PPM) field; work/life balance, gender equality, public vs. private sector, training and accreditation, along with data points on salaries, remuneration and day rates.

The data received so far suggests that a whopping 74% of Programme Managers work more than 40 hours per week out of which 40% put in more than 48 hours. This figure is up by 10.3% from the data collected 12 months ago. Over the twelve month period the Project and Change Manager spreads have shown a slight increase in hours worked.

The support group however have seen two interesting moves which indicate additional pressure; firstly an increase in the numbers working < 35 hours by 2% suggesting additional part time roles whilst a 12% increase has been reported in those working more than 40 hours.

It would appear that we do have an increase in overall hours worked by the UK's PPM community; but what impact is this having on the perceived "work life balance"?

Looking back to the results of the 2007 survey the PPM community reported that 23.5% were unhappy with their work life balance with many stating long hours as the primary cause of this imbalance. Looking at the data collected so far in the current survey this figure has increased by a further 4% to indicate that 27.5% are now unhappy about their work life balance. When viewed against the hours worked, a very clear picture is shown correlating longer hours with this dissatisfaction as can be seen below.

45% of respondents who are working >48 Hours per week say they have an unacceptable work life balance compared to 15% of their peers who work between 35 to 40 hours per week!

From the data collected in this and previous years by Arras People, an assumption can be made that PPM does have a 'long hours culture'. According to ARRAS, there are of course many other factors that come into play such as:

• Culture of the work environment
• Excessive quantity of reports, memos and e-mails to read and answer
• Frequent travel
• Ineffective time management or performance
• Lack of resources
• Organisational and management pressures causing unrealistic expectations
• Reluctance of managers to deal with the issue
• Training or professional development needs not addressed
• Unrealistic timescales

If 20% of any group feel the need to work >48 hours per week it would suggest that there are some ingrained issues that need to be addressed whether by the individuals concerned or the organisations that they work for. It can be seen from the data that long hours correlate to people having concerns about their work life balance and in turn this can lead to stress be it physical, psychological or behavioural. Whilst in the short term it may be a "needs must" situation it is surely not a sustainable long term solution. In PPM roles we cannot eliminate pressure but surely we have the nous to control excessive hours?

The Arras People 2010 Project Management Benchmark Survey (http://www.arraspeople.co.uk/PMReport/) is still open for UK based PPM practitioners to have their say. The online survey takes between 4 to 8 minutes to complete and will provide the data from which the Arras People Project Management Benchmark Report 2010 will be compiled. Those who complete this confidential survey can request their FREE copy of the report which will be published in early February 2010.

Arras People is a Project Management specialist delivering recruitment solutions in the area of Programme and Project Management. 100% focused on providing Project Management professionals they supply contract, interim, temporary and permanent recruitment services across the UK and across all industry sectors (central and local government) IT, engineering, banking and finance, marketing and media, not-for-profit and charities. Information on all Arras People vacancies is available online at www.arraspeople.co.uk/jobs.php.