Benchmark Your Business with Confidence: Insights from the 2025 Deltek Clarity Industry Studies

Project-based industries are navigating a rapidly changing landscape, where the pressure to adapt is constant and the challenges are evolving. Companies must continuously adjust from economic uncertainties to digital transformation to stay competitive. Understanding your business’s position relative to industry peers is key to making informed decisions and driving success.

To help businesses navigate this dynamic environment, Deltek has spent decades surveying project-based industries through the annual Deltek Clarity Study. These global reports provide in-depth insights into market conditions, performance benchmarks and emerging challenges across industries such as Government Contracting, Architecture & Engineering and Consulting. By offering a comprehensive view of industry trends and performance, Deltek Clarity empowers businesses worldwide to benchmark their performance, identify growth opportunities and foster strategic conversations that drive change.

For 2025, we’ve released three new reports designed to support our global customer base:

• 16th Annual Deltek Clarity Study for the Government Contracting Industry
• 46th Annual Deltek Clarity Study for the Architecture & Engineering Industry
• 6th Annual Deltek Clarity Study for UK Architecture, Engineering & Consulting Firms

Each report offers detailed analysis and industry-specific insights, enabling organizations to benchmark their performance, validate strategic priorities and discover opportunities to optimize operations.

Why Benchmarking Is Essential for Project-Based Businesses

Benchmarking is an indispensable practice for any business aspiring to improve and grow. It involves comparing performance metrics against industry standards to uncover gaps and identify opportunities. But the value of benchmarking doesn’t stop at the data—it’s what you do with the insights that matter most.

Deltek Clarity is designed to be a catalyst for meaningful conversations within your organization. Whether it’s used to spark dialogue among executive leadership, guide planning sessions with departmental managers, or align cross-functional teams, the report offers the context needed to shape a forward-thinking strategy. By breaking down traditional silos, businesses can identify the right initiatives and work collaboratively toward shared goals.

How Deltek Clarity Supports Your Business Strategy

Each Deltek Clarity study provides actionable insights that help project-based businesses navigate their challenges and stay ahead of the competition. Here’s how these reports can guide your organization toward greater success:

• Identifying Industry Trends: Staying on top of emerging trends is essential for staying competitive. Deltek Clarity reveals what’s changing—and what it means for your business.
• Performance Comparison: Measure how your business stacks up against industry peers and highlight where to focus your improvement efforts.
• Strategic Planning: Use Clarity insights to align your business strategy with current market conditions and forward-looking best practices.
• Improving Efficiency: Annual Clarity findings offer practical recommendations to streamline operations and improve overall productivity. 

Top Industry Insights from the 2025 Deltek Clarity Studies

While no industry is the same, this year’s Deltek Clarity Studies highlight several powerful commonalities across all three—insights that reveal shared challenges and opportunities:

Technology as a Strategic Imperative

Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and digital tools are no longer “nice-to-haves.” Across all industries, businesses are prioritizing technology investments to drive smarter decision-making, automate manual processes and enhance service delivery.

Talent Constraints Remain a Top Challenge

Recruiting and retaining skilled professionals continues to be a pain point. Firms are shifting their focus toward upskilling existing staff and leveraging technology to bridge resource gaps.

 

A Push Toward Greater Data Maturity

Organizations recognize the importance of real-time, accurate data to improve forecasting, track performance, and drive agility. Many are investing in tools and processes to improve visibility and decision-making. 

 

Strategic Growth Despite Uncertainty

Despite economic pressures and a tight labor market, businesses are optimistic. Firms are adjusting their strategies to pursue sustainable growth, refine business development practices and differentiate in increasingly competitive markets. 

 

Use Deltek Clarity to Future-Proof Your Business

More than just annual industry reports, the Deltek Clarity Studies are a strategic resource to help you benchmark performance, align teams and make informed decisions that drive better business outcomes By applying these insights, your organization can break down silos, drive collaboration and chart a clear path toward growth.

We encourage you to download the latest Deltek Clarity Studies and use them as a foundation for strategic planning and meaningful conversations across your business.