21. Project Success Decoded: How to Achieve M.O.R.E

What does project success really mean in today’s world? It’s not just about hitting deadlines or budgets—it’s about delivering outcomes that matter. In this episode of Project Management Masterclass, Brittany Wilkins breaks down the M.O.R.E. framework: Manage perceptions, Own outcomes, Relentlessly reassess, and Expand perspective.

You’ll discover why customer perception is the ultimate measure of success, how social impact can double your chances of project success, and practical steps to apply M.O.R.E. across the project lifecycle. Whether you’re leading your first project or managing enterprise programs, this episode will help you redefine success and consistently deliver value.

Transcript

Much love & appreciation to our Project management Masterclass listeners from around the world. Special shout to our new listeners from Westerly Rhode Island, Boreham(Boor-um) Essex(Ess-icks), Cambodia, & Roanoke Texas. Today’s  episode is about elevating outcomes with a strategy that goes beyond deadlines and deliverables.

 Let’s be honest: we’ve all been part of projects where the checklist was completed, but stakeholders still weren’t satisfied.

Take one of my very first assignments in HVAC. I was tasked with leading the transition of our engineering organization from one PPM system to another. I built a master project plan, trained every department, and wrote all the SOPs. On paper, I delivered the objectives.

But the daily feedback told a different story. The system lacked the capabilities and features that stakeholders—those using it every day—actually needed. Adoption lagged. And I had to ask myself: Did project success really mean simply meeting the objectives? Or should success be measured across the entire organization, from the top down and the bottom up?

That question leads us here: What does project success really mean today? And how can we, as project professionals, deliver not just outputs, but real outcomes?

 That’s what the M.O.R.E. strategy is all about. I touched on this briefly in Episode 18 when I discussed PMI’s global talent gap report. I believe it’s important to keep reinforcing frameworks and fundamentals, because mastering the craft of project management is a lifelong journey. Right now, I’m applying the M.O.R.E. framework in my own projects. It’s a modern code for success, and by the end of this episode, you’ll have a new lens for leading your projects with purpose, value, and vision.

Traditionally, project success was measured by the “iron triangle”: time, cost, and scope. Deliver on those three, and you could pat yourself on the back.

But here’s the reality: research shows that only about half of projects are considered successful. Around 12% are flat-out failures, and the remaining 40% are somewhere in the messy middle.

Why? Because meeting requirements isn’t enough anymore.

Think of it this way: success is when Value > Effort + Expense. The equation shifts the focus from what we deliver to whether it was worth it. And when we ask whose opinion matters most in determining success, the research is clear: it’s the customer’s perception that matters above all.

That’s powerful. Because it means no matter how perfect your Gantt chart looks, if the customer doesn’t feel the value, the project misses the mark.

So how do we consistently deliver value? Enter the M.O.R.E. framework. Let’s break down each letter, and I’ll share how you can apply it in real-world scenarios.

M – Manage Perceptions

Stakeholders must perceive that your project outputs provide value relative to the investment of resources.

• Think of a software rollout. The IT team might celebrate because the code is clean and the system works. But if end users find it clunky or unhelpful, the project won’t be viewed as a success.
• Managing perceptions means staying close to stakeholders, asking the hard questions, and aligning expectations throughout.

O – Own Project Success By Owning Outcomes

Our job isn’t just to deliver on requirements. It’s to take accountability for the outcomes those requirements were meant to achieve.

• Imagine being tasked with building a new training program. It’s not enough to say, “I delivered the modules.” You need to ask: did employees actually learn? Did performance improve?
• This is about moving from a compliance mindset to an ownership mindset.

R – Relentlessly Reassess Project Parameters

Change is inevitable. Market conditions shift. Customer needs evolve. New technologies appear.

• A project that was valuable last year might be irrelevant today.
• Relentless reassessment means continuously checking: Is this still valuable? Are we on the right track? Do we need to pivot?
• It requires courage, because it sometimes means telling stakeholders: “We need to rethink this.”

E – Expand Perspective

Projects don’t exist in isolation. They affect the broader organization, the community, and sometimes even the planet.

• Expanding perspective means asking: How does this fit into the enterprise strategy? What ripple effects does it have?
• And here’s the kicker: projects that align with social impact and sustainability goals are nearly twice as likely to succeed.
• Yet, only about 22% of projects actually include social impact in their success criteria. That’s a huge missed opportunity.

So, M.O.R.E. is a mindset shift:

• Manage perceptions
• Own outcomes
• Relentlessly reassess
• Expand perspective

Let’s talk about measurement. Because what gets measured gets managed.

Only 37% of projects define success criteria upfront, put a performance measurement system in place, and track performance throughout. That means most teams are working without a compass.

Here’s how to change that:

1. Define success early – be explicit about what success looks like beyond deliverables.
2. Measure consistently – put systems in place that track progress toward those outcomes.
3. Track realized value – not just output, but whether the output led to impact.

If you don’t measure, you’re guessing. And guessing is not a strategy.

So, how do we apply M.O.R.E. across the project lifecycle? Let’s walk through each phase.

• Initiation & Planning:
  Define success criteria. Align stakeholder perceptions. Write an outcome-driven charter that considers social impact.
• Execution:
  Create a performance measurement plan. Communicate progress, challenges, and emerging value. Plan for change.
• Monitoring & Controlling:
  Reassess regularly. Adapt. Expand your stakeholder scope. Make proactive adjustments.
• Closing:
  Confirm outcomes. Track value realized. Capture lessons learned. And don’t forget to anticipate broader impacts that may unfold even after the project ends.

This turns theory into action. It ensures your project isn’t just a checkmark—it’s a contribution.

So, let’s bring it all home.

The M.O.R.E. framework challenges us to go beyond the basics:

• Manage Perceptions
• Own Outcomes
• Relentlessly Reassess
• Expand Perspective

Success is no longer just about scope, schedule, and cost. It’s about delivering value that stakeholders recognize and appreciate.

Here’s my challenge to you: On your next project, pick one letter of M.O.R.E. to focus on. Maybe it’s managing perceptions more actively. Maybe it’s owning the outcome beyond your task list. Maybe it’s reassessing value more often. Or maybe it’s expanding your perspective to include social impact.

Because when we maximize project success, we don’t just deliver projects—we elevate our organizations, our communities, and even our world.

Thanks for listening to Project Management Masterclass. If you found today’s episode insightful, share it with a colleague and keep the momentum going. And remember: project success begins within. Until next time, keep striving for MORE.