BREXIT uncertainty is a concern for almost two-thirds of project managers in the north, according to a new report.
The PMI Brexit Cross Border Working Group’s latest survey has revealed that the majority of project managers on both sides of the border believe Brexit will have a negative impact on their organisation.
In the Republic the figure stands at 87 per cent, while in Northern Ireland it falls marginally to 79 per cent.
Meanwhile the uncertainty of Brexit is a concern for 61 per cent of project managers in the north, compared to just 39 per cent across the border.
The PMI Brexit Cross Border Working Group’s first survey revealed that while over 50 per cent of project managers in Northern Ireland stated their economy is not prepared for the impact of Brexit, just 25 per cent said the same in the Republic.
Of the sectors that will be most impacted by Brexit, project managers in the north highlighted transport (39 per cent), government (26 per cent), and agri-foods (21 per cent). In the Republic, it was agri-foods (63 per cent), transport (26 per cent) and government (11 per cent).
Co-chair of the PMI Brexit Cross Border Working Group, Peter Glynne said: "Brexit is all about large-scale change and our research highlights the impact of current uncertainty on organisations across the island of Ireland.
“In the Republic of Ireland, our research indicates that 39 per cent of project managers are concerned about the uncertainty whilst in Northern Ireland the figure is higher at 61 per cent. This highlights the importance of agile leadership, not only to successfully plan and manage Brexit related change, but also readiness to respond to a rapidly changing political and economic landscape."
The survey further revealed that corporate risk management and detailed impact analysis are the top two activities being undertaken by organisations both north and south of the border to manage Brexit.
The survey was conducted by an all-island working group to address Brexit, which includes the Ireland Chapter of Project Management Institute (PMI), the largest professional organisation for project managers in Ireland, and the PMI Northern Ireland Committee.
The PMI Brexit Cross Border Working Group was established last year to make recommendations on how to navigate Brexit. The deadline for the UK’s formal exit from the European Union has been extended to October 31.
