Performance reviews not measuring up.

As any line manager who has helped with "special projects" can attest, when review time comes, the project work is not recognized relative to the amount of time and effort spent. This study, by Business Improvement Architects finds that experience is widespread. In turn, BIA seeks to capitalize on the issue by selling clients a proprietary process and system, intended to foster an improved environment.

Conversely, if you seek to excel in project work, you could approach firms as an independent consultant, thus leaving all parties out of the "performance review" trap, and leaving more time to focus on achieving the agreed upon project goals for the agreed upon price.