Articles

The AI Shift

Artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting the focus of project managers from tasks to leadership.

We find ourselves in the early stages of AI — a transformative technology poised for rapid development that will fundamentally reshape the way work is accomplished. This begs the question: How will AI impact the role of project managers in the coming years?  

Key Takeaways

• AI is already here and is poised to accelerate.
• AI on projects will involve project management, project delivery and be part of the project scope.
• Project managers need to prepare for AI by educating themselves about the possibilities and opportunities.
• Project managers should be pushing to integrate AI as soon as possible to free them up for higher value tasks.    

PMI Picks offers the following insights for all project managers to consider when it comes to AI:

First and foremost, it is important to recognize that project managers will gradually relinquish a significant portion of their traditional managerial responsibilities to AI-powered tools. As technology improves and organizations gain trust in its capabilities, project administration tasks will increasingly be handed over to AI-enabled tools.

Initially, this transition will be evident in areas such as workflow management, estimates and risk management. However, it will also extend to aspects that are currently considered to be exclusively dependent on human involvement. Basic decisions regarding change requests, responses to variances and similar tasks will be handled by automated tools, ultimately enhancing the quality of project performance.

This transformation is not a reflection of people’s inability to handle these tasks but rather a recognition that software can act swiftly, without hesitation and without concern for potential human bias or unpopularity.

In response to this change, project managers will be able to evolve into true project leaders. Most of their time will be dedicated to the leadership aspects of their role, namely people leadership, team leadership and business leadership. With more time at their disposal, project managers will be able to focus on areas of project delivery that require human intervention, resulting in significantly improved outcomes compared to the past. 

Simultaneously, as AI becomes an integral part of work processes, project managers will assume responsibility for an increasing number of initiatives that incorporate AI elements. Some projects will involve AI-driven execution, where the project team’s work is augmented by AI such as in software development. In other cases, projects will involve building capabilities that include AI elements. Often, it will be a combination of both scenarios.

To prepare for this AI-enabled future, project managers must equip themselves with relevant information. They should engage in discussions with business stakeholders to inquire about their plans for incorporating AI solutions in the future. While some industries or organizations might not have immediate plans, many others will have already embarked on this journey. 

Furthermore, project managers should actively engage with resource owners and technology partners to understand how AI is being integrated into their work processes. This will enable them to leverage AI tools to enhance project delivery. These conversations may also facilitate the exploration and exploitation of innovative work methodologies, accelerating the implementation of AI-powered solutions. 

Additionally, project managers should engage with their project management office (PMO) or similar function that oversees current project management solutions. By understanding how AI is being incorporated into these platforms to improve delivery quality, project managers can advocate for the accelerated adoption of such tools. The sooner these tools are implemented, the sooner project managers can shift their focus toward work that adds greater value and can only be accomplished with human expertise.

The future is rapidly approaching, propelled by the power of AI. Project managers who are prepared for this AI-powered environment will have a greater chance of thriving and consistently delivering improved business results.