Infrastructure and capital projects across the world are facing a challenging landscape—92% fail to meet their commitments, leading to major budget overruns and schedule delays. Accenture’s global survey of 700 leaders across 23 countries and 12 industries highlights a widening performance gap. While 66% of organizations exceed budgets and timelines by over 10%, a small group—just 6%—consistently delivers ahead of plan, saving up to 30% of the planned budget.

These top performers excel by focusing on four critical action areas: turning insights into foresight, embracing ESG beyond compliance, building and sustaining critical skills, and managing diverse stakeholders with transparency and collaboration. Powered by data, AI, and digital technologies, these actions enable organizations to navigate uncertainty, mitigate risks, and drive sustainable, repeatable success in capital project delivery.