Unplanned Work Drained Professional Services Productivity
A new study reveals that firms lose significant revenue and time due to disconnected systems and scope changes.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Do you believe that integrating company systems is necessary for businesses to remain competitive?
Professional services firms have lost approximately 8% of project revenue to inefficiency over the past year. New data indicates that 30% of all allocated project time is now consumed by unplanned work.
Why it matters
Frequent changes in project scope and volatile economic conditions have forced firms to navigate complex, disconnected systems. This reliance on manual workarounds creates significant drains on coordination time and hinders unified decision-making.
Professional services firms face high levels of disruption, with 91% of German, 82% of US, and 69% of UK firms reporting increased unplanned work. Only 28% of businesses currently possess fully connected systems.
The players
Unit4
This enterprise software company provides integrated ERP platforms designed to manage project and financial data for professional services organizations.
The details
Firms struggle with project data that is difficult to trust or reconcile, often requiring manual intervention to manage requirements. While 94% of firms believe AI tools improve decision-making, the prevalence of disconnected platforms leads to costly reversals of project decisions.
Timeline
The study analyzed performance data gathered over the past 12 months.
The research findings were published on September 24, 2026.
Market Landscape
The findings underscore a widening gap between firms using integrated ERP platforms and those reliant on fragmented, legacy workflows. Companies that fail to connect project and resource data are increasingly at a competitive disadvantage in volatile economic environments.
Employees at firms with disconnected systems can expect persistent operational friction and manual tasks that impede workflow efficiency. Customers may experience inconsistencies in project delivery as firms struggle to reconcile shifting requirements and data across teams.
The takeaway
Firms can minimize lost revenue by prioritizing the integration of project, resource, and financial systems. Proactive performance management is essential for teams facing high levels of scope volatility.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational efficiency in the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Consultancy.
Live Poll
Do you believe that integrating company systems is necessary for businesses to remain competitive?
