Search+HBR ExclusiveNewSynopsisIn an era when adaptability and innovation are paramount, organizations are recognizing the pivotal role of projects in driving success. In fact, we’ve already arrived at a moment when projects, not operations, are the primary engines of value creation. That shift has been underway for years, but it was catalyzed by the Covid pandemic, which compelled companies to set up new digital infrastructures, reconfigure supply chains, and offer new services at an unprecedented pace. This new project-centered reality will require leaders to fundamentally shift how they think about leadership and organizational design. They’ll have to break down silos, actively sponsor strategic initiatives, empower teams to make decisions, and ensure that resources and support are aligned with project priorities. To do that, they’ll need to pull eight key levers, which in combination will enable them to make the transition from a static, operations-centric model to a dynamic, project-powered one.In an environment of constant change, projects are how businesses evolve, adapt, and grow. They’re how strategies are executed. They’re how innovation is delivered.That became abundantly clear in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic was upending old ways of doing business around the world. Organizations everywhere were scrambling to set up digital infrastructures, reconfigure global supply chains, and launch new services—in days, not years. BYAntonio Nieto-RodriguezHarvard Business Review 21 mins readJul 20, 2026, 05:56:00 PM ISTGift this Story to your friendsFONT SIZEAbcSmallAbcMediumAbcLargeSAVEPRINTCOMMENTContinue reading with one of these options:Limited AccessFreeLogin to get access to some exclusive stories & personalised newslettersLogin NowUnlimited AccessStarting @ Rs120/monthGet access to exclusive stories, expert opinions & in-depth stock reportsSubscribe NowETUh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.Worry not. You’re just a step away.What’s Included withETPrime Membership
The Project-Driven Organization
In an era when adaptability and innovation are paramount, organizations are recognizing the pivotal role of projects in driving success. In fact, we’ve already arrived at a moment when projects, not operations, are the primary engines of value creation. That shift has been underway for years, but it was catalyzed by the Covid pandemic, which compelled companies to set up new digital infrastructures, reconfigure supply chains, and offer new services at an unprecedented pace. This new project-centered reality will require leaders to fundamentally shift how they think about leadership and organizational design. They’ll have to break down silos, actively sponsor strategic initiatives, empower teams to make decisions, and ensure that resources and support are aligned with project priorities. To do that, they’ll need to pull eight key levers, which in combination will enable them to make the transition from a static, operations-centric model to a dynamic, project-powered one.
