Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a powerful force reshaping project management on a global scale. The latest insights from the 2023 PMI Annual Global Survey indicate a significant shift, with 21% of respondents already incorporating AI always or often in their project management practices. This statistic serves as a clear signal of the growing integration of AI, prompting a closer examination of how AI complements project management skills, emerging as an indispensable ally in the project management landscape.
AI’s ubiquity in project management: A growing trend
The PMI survey extends beyond current practices, shedding light on the future impact of AI in project management. A noteworthy 82% of senior leaders anticipate a tangible impact of AI on their organisation’s project management approach within the next five years. Further amplifying this sentiment, an unpublished PMI Customer Experience survey emphasises that an overwhelming 91% of respondents believe AI will have at least a moderate impact on the project management profession. This surge in expectations is notably fuelled by the introduction of Generative AI (GenAI) in November 2022, marked by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This revolutionary technology has accelerated the trajectory of AI’s impact, compelling project managers to prioritise and integrate AI fluency as a non-negotiable aspect of their skill set.Navigating the AI terrain: Strategies for project managers
As project managers stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation, AI can be a true enabler for project professionals to automate routine tasks, assist in complex analyses, and augment capabilities for strategic decision-making.
- Automation: GenAI’s automation capabilities shine in tasks of low complexity that require minimal human intervention. From generating reports to summarising meeting notes, project managers can harness automation to streamline processes and enhance efficiency across projects.
- Assistance: Moving up the complexity ladder, it becomes an invaluable assistant. It complements project professionals’ analysis, offering first drafts for review and iterative refinement. Use cases include creating cost-benefit analyses and performing data analysis, with the final touch requiring moderate intervention for accuracy.
- Augmentation: At the pinnacle of GenAI integration lies augmentation, empowering project managers to explore new capabilities. By enhancing existing skills, GenAI facilitates complex and strategic tasks, such as crafting exceptional business cases and supporting decision-making in intricate scenarios. Here, the depth of a manager’s experience significantly influences the outcome.
Aligning with the PMI talent triangle®: A holistic approach
To navigate the AI landscape, project managers adapt to newer ways of working which involve integration of soft skills which we call ‘power skills’ alongside developing business acumen to align projects with the larger vision of the organisation.
- Ways of Working: GenAI seamlessly integrates into various project management approaches. Whether predictive, agile, or design thinking, project managers are encouraged to become fluent in diverse ways of working. It aids in data-driven project planning, time and cost management, risk analysis, and more.
- Power Skills: Project managers can leverage GenAI to improve collaboration, enhance problem-solving, and facilitate streamlined communication across different levels.
- Business Acumen: Professionals with business acumen understand macro- and micro-influences. GenAI assists project managers in scenario analysis, generating insights, assessing business implications, and making systems thinking decisions. It enhances business acumen by automating routine tasks, freeing time for strategic considerations.
GenAI in Action: Real-world Applications
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To deepen our understanding, let’s explore GenAI’s applications across various industries:
- Financial Services: In banking and insurance, it can enhance data accessibility, providing quick access to business data for structured analytical reports. This empowers project managers to retrieve and generate reports rapidly, supporting faster problem-solving and decision-making.
- Healthcare: In life sciences and healthcare, GenAI can aid project managers in navigating complex domains. It facilitates communication, knowledge sharing, and integrated development processes, reducing data silos and promoting a more cohesive approach to drug development and clinical trials.
- Technology, Media, and Telecommunications: It can prove invaluable in the technology sector by analysing structured and unstructured data to uncover insights and correlations. It helps project managers create more customer-driven solutions and prepare code summaries and reports using non-technical language for diverse audiences.
Conclusion: Envisioning a future of collaborative excellence
In the dynamic landscape of project management, AI emerges not as a disruptor but as an enabler that can empower project professionals. Project managers equipped with AI fluency, strategic integration tactics, and a commitment to continuous upskilling position themselves at the forefront of this transformative journey. As the industry navigates the intersection of tradition and innovation, PMI stands as a steadfast ally, guiding project professionals into a future where the collaborative synergy of technical acumen and AI redefines the possibilities of project management. The time to act is now, and together, we shape the future of project management.
Project Management Hub by PMI offers a wealth of resources, including a free online introductory course on Generative AI. You can access the course here. In addition to the course, the hub provides community forums and curated content. PMI empowers project managers to stay at the forefront of AI integration, fostering a community that embraces the symbiosis of human expertise and technological prowess.