These awards recognise organisations, business units and project-management offices that demonstrate excellence in governance, delivery capability, innovation and strategic alignment — resulting in sustained value creation and improved organisational performance.
Each nomination may be entered once, under a single category. Cards show the distinctive criterion for each category — expand any card for the full judging breakdown.
01
Project of the Year
A project (across all industries) that achieved exceptional results through excellence in project management, execution and value delivered.
Distinctive criterionStrategic AlignmentHow the project supported key strategic priorities and generated benefits beyond its direct outputs — with evidence of lasting value, wider relevance and contribution to longer-term goals.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Strategic Alignment
How the project supported key strategic priorities and generated benefits beyond its direct outputs — with evidence of lasting value, wider relevance and contribution to longer-term goals.
02
PMO of the Year
A Project Management Office that has demonstrated excellence in governance, delivery support, strategic alignment and organisational value.
Distinctive criterionGovernance & Organisational MaturityHow the PMO advanced project governance, delivery standards, portfolio oversight, reporting discipline and organisational project-management maturity.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Governance & Organisational Maturity
How the PMO advanced project governance, delivery standards, portfolio oversight, reporting discipline and organisational project-management maturity.
03
Educational Project of the Year
A project that improved learning outcomes, expanded access to education or strengthened educational systems or institutions.
Distinctive criterionLearning Outcomes & Educational AccessHow the project improved learning outcomes, access to education, institutional capability, student support or broader educational effectiveness.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Learning Outcomes & Educational Access
How the project improved learning outcomes, access to education, institutional capability, student support or broader educational effectiveness.
04
Consultant of the Year
A consultant or consulting firm that delivered outstanding project-management expertise, resulting in impactful client solutions and demonstrated value.
Distinctive criterionAdvisory Effectiveness & Knowledge TransferHow the consultant provided sound expertise and practical guidance, strengthened the client team's capability, and left sustainable knowledge and ways of working behind.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Advisory Effectiveness & Knowledge Transfer
How the consultant provided sound expertise and practical guidance, strengthened the client team's capability, and left sustainable knowledge and ways of working behind.
05
NGO / NPO Project of the Year
A non-profit sector project that delivered meaningful social, developmental or community impact through effective project execution.
Distinctive criterionCommunity Impact & Social ValueHow the project created meaningful, measurable benefit for communities or beneficiaries through improved social outcomes and responsible stewardship of resources.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Community Impact & Social Value
How the project created meaningful, measurable benefit for communities or beneficiaries through improved social outcomes and responsible stewardship of resources.
06
State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Project of the Year
An SOE project that improved public value, service delivery, infrastructure or institutional effectiveness.
Distinctive criterionPublic Value & Service-Delivery ImprovementHow the project delivered measurable public benefit through improved service delivery, better access, stronger governance and institutional effectiveness.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Public Value & Service-Delivery Improvement
How the project delivered measurable public benefit through improved service delivery, better access, stronger governance and institutional effectiveness.
07
Government Entity Project of the Year
A government-entity project that improved public value, service delivery, infrastructure or institutional effectiveness.
Distinctive criterionPublic Value & Service-Delivery ImprovementHow the project delivered measurable public benefit through improved service delivery, better access, stronger governance and positive community outcomes.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Public Value & Service-Delivery Improvement
How the project delivered measurable public benefit through improved service delivery, better access, stronger governance and positive community outcomes.
08
Mining Company Project of the Year
A mining-sector project that demonstrated excellence in execution and delivered measurable impact through safety, sustainability and operational discipline.
Distinctive criterionSafety, Sustainability & Operational DisciplineHow the project advanced safety performance, environmental responsibility, regulatory compliance and disciplined execution in a high-risk, highly controlled environment.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Safety, Sustainability & Operational Discipline
How the project advanced safety performance, environmental responsibility, regulatory compliance and disciplined execution in a high-risk, highly controlled environment.
09
Construction / Infrastructure Project
A construction or infrastructure project that exemplifies excellence in project management and meaningful impact on its community, organisation or environment.
Distinctive criterionEngineering Quality, Safety & Community BenefitHow the project achieved high standards of engineering and construction quality, safe execution, schedule and cost performance, and lasting value for the community or built environment.
View all judging criteria
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
6
Engineering Quality, Safety & Community Benefit
How the project achieved high standards of engineering and construction quality, safe execution, schedule and cost performance, and lasting value for the community or built environment.
Before you nominate
Eligibility & supporting documents
Eligibility
Who can enterOpen to projects of any type, any industry, public or private sector, from any province in South Africa. The Lead Nominator need not be affiliated with PMI.
Confidentiality & fairnessAll nominations remain confidential. Active campaigning, self-promotion for candidacy and reciprocal nomination arrangements are prohibited.
One entry per categoryEach company may submit a limited number of nominations across all categories, with only one nomination per category.
Eligible submissions & periodEligible submissions include projects of any type, from any industry, and from either the public or private sector. Projects may originate from any province in South Africa. To be eligible, the project must have reached formal closure during the eligibility period, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. The Lead Nominator is not required to be affiliated with PMI.
Nominations that are incomplete, incorrectly formatted, late, or not in English will not be considered. PMI committee members, contractors, consultants and current board members may not apply or nominate. Full rules apply per the official nomination form.
Supporting documentation
Executive Summary1 page — overview of the project's impact and achievements.
Case StudyMax 2 pages — key initiatives, role, challenges, solutions and benefits realised.
Measurable Results (where applicable)KPIs (financial, operational, digital), ROI / cost savings / revenue impact, and performance improvements.
Supporting Documentation2–3 letters of recommendation, organisational or project reports, and any media or recognition. Visual evidence strongly encouraged.
PMI South Africa will not reimburse any expenses incurred in preparing nomination or presentation materials. PMI reserves the right not to present an award where submissions do not sufficiently demonstrate the stated criteria.
How nominations are judged
Five core criteria
Every category in this award is evaluated against the five core criteria below, plus one distinctive criterion specific to each category.
1
Project Management Excellence
How effectively the work was initiated, planned, governed, executed, monitored, controlled and closed — managing scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication and overall delivery discipline.
2
Innovation & Ingenuity
How creatively challenges were addressed through new ideas, improved methods, technology, tools or practices that enhanced the project or its outcomes.
3
Impact & Value Delivered
The measurable results achieved — strategic value, operational improvement, customer or community benefit, financial return, social impact or institutional advancement.
4
Stakeholder / Client Satisfaction
How effectively stakeholder and client expectations were understood, managed and met — communication, responsiveness, collaboration and end-user acceptance.
5
Complexity & Risk Management
The level of complexity involved and how effectively uncertainty, dependencies, technical difficulty, compliance and risk were managed across the project lifecycle.
13 September 2026 · DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Nominations close 22 July 2026
Ready to put a name forward?
Submit your nomination for the Organisation Excellence Awards and help us celebrate the people and projects shaping the profession.
