Measuring Project Success: The Revolution of NPSS

Introduction

Traditionally, project success has been measured based on rigid standards: completing the project on time, within budget, and meeting the scope. While these indicators are important, they don’t capture the full impact of a project. The PMI report (Report 2024 – Maximizing Project Success) proposes a new approach to measuring project success, going beyond traditional parameters, and focusing on the perceived value delivered. One of the essential tools for this is the Net Project Success Score (NPSS), a metric that measures project success based on stakeholder opinions.

What is the NPSS?

The NPSS is a metric created to evaluate project success based on the value perceived by stakeholders. Rather than simply evaluating a project based on execution data like time or budget, the NPSS reflects the subjective perception of success, asking if stakeholders believe the project delivered enough value relative to the effort and resources expended.

The key question for calculating the NPSS is simple: “To what extent would you say this project delivered value that was worth the effort and cost?” Respondents answer on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents complete failure and 10 represents complete success. From the answers, the NPSS is calculated, which provides a continuous score for the project’s success.

How Does the NPSS Work?

The calculation of the NPSS involves subtracting the percentage of failed projects (scores 0-6) from the percentage of successful projects (scores 9-10). This method offers a dynamic and detailed view of success, compared to the simple binary model of “success or failure.” The NPSS provides a deeper analysis, considering the quality of value delivered.

Why is the NPSS Important?

The NPSS is crucial because it helps measure success in a more holistic way, taking into account perceptions of value, which are just as important as technical execution. Stakeholder perception can be key in determining if a project was truly successful, and NPSS provides the right tool to capture that perception.

• For project professionals: The NPSS allows them to measure the real impact of a project, considering value delivered, and make adjustments in execution if the perception of success is lower than expected.
• For executives: They can use the NPSS to identify areas for improvement and better align stakeholder expectations, ensuring that the project delivers real value for the organization and society.

Conclusion

Measuring project success goes far beyond traditional metrics. The NPSS offers a more effective and accurate way to evaluate success by focusing on perceived value delivered. It provides valuable insights that can be used to improve future project management and help organizations deliver greater value and achieve higher success rates over time.

Wladimir Dezembro Leonelo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dezembro/

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