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Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target is a powerful opportunity for engineering firms who are willing to set themselves up for success by leveraging the right technology. The government’s new commitment to an emissions reduction target of 62-70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035 has unleashed a multitude of critical climate projects, from new renewable energy zones to smart grid infrastructure. For SMB consultancies, especially in engineering, this is a defining moment.
The challenge is clear, and the opportunity is immense, but the pressure to deliver these complex, long-term projects on time and within budget is relentless. Yet, many firms are still running on outdated systems, including disconnected spreadsheets run on ‘gut feel’ – which is a recipe for missed deadlines, budget overruns and compromised reputation. This puts additional pressure on firms, and findings from Project Works’ recent report reveal a majority of firms are unprepared for the rapid pace of growth ahead.
To secure their slice of this growth, SMBs must move beyond guesswork and embrace project intelligence. This is a strategic shift that treats project data not as an administrative burden, but as a competitive asset.
Unlocking Project Intelligence
Project intelligence is the foundation for SMBs to scale successfully and hinges on unifying your project, people and financial data into a single, real-time system.
- Get clear on real-time project health
A single source of truth is non-negotiable. Technology can integrate time tracking, expenses, project budgets and invoicing, giving owners and project managers a complete, real-time view of a project’s financial health and progress. This enables them to spot signs of scope creep or unhealthy budget burn before they escalate. Project intelligence transforms backward-looking reports into live, actionable insights.
- Solving the skills gap through optimised resourcing
Taking into consideration the engineering sector is wrestling with a persistent talent and skills gap, efficient resource management isn’t just about hiring more people, it’s about maximising the utilisation and performance of the talent you already have.
Technology allows firms to intelligently assign the right consultants to the right projects, ensuring specialised skills are not left on the bench and that your team is effectively deployed to maximise billable hours while preventing costly burnout. For an SMB, making smarter use of your existing team is the single most critical factor in mitigating the talent crunch and protecting your bottom line.
- See the future with data-driven forecasting
In the volatile world of large-scale infrastructure, accurate forecasting is essential. Advanced Professional Services Automation (PSA) software is a game-changer. By connecting your sales pipeline, resourcing, time tracking and invoicing, these systems provide predictive performance metrics, such as projected budget burn and margin at project-end. These early warning signals give leaders the chance to course-correct proactively, turning what would have been a budget overrun into protected profit.
A Competitive Edge For The Smartest Firms
Achieving the 2035 target demands more than just technical expertise, it requires operational excellence. The race will be won by the most agile and efficient firms, which are not necessarily the biggest, but the smartest.
By adopting a robust PSA platform, SMBs can master delivery and gain the clarity, control and insight needed to manage complex climate projects. This strategic shift away from reactive, spreadsheet-based management to a proactive, data-driven approach allows firms to turn operational excellence into a competitive advantage.
Historically, the firms that successfully deliver through on these high stakes projects have emerged as global industry leaders, achieving massive, compounding growth. By embracing project intelligence, Australia’s SMB consultancies will not only help the nation build a greener, more sustainable future, but also secure their potential for long-term global growth and profitability.
Mark Orttung is CEO of Projectworks.
Last Updated on October 7, 2025 by Mark Orttung
