Introduction
In the dynamic world of project management, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer, promising to enhance efficiency, accuracy and overall project success. At the 19th Project Management conference in Greece, Dina Tasiou, Partner Success Manager at PMI, North America, delivered an insightful presentation titled “PMIxAI: Leading the Use of AI to Maximize Project Success.” Her speech offered insights into how PMI is spearheading the AI revolution in project management, equipping professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in an AI-driven landscape.
PMI History – Purpose – Mission
Dina Tasiou started her presentation highlighting PMI’s history, purpose and mission. Since its founding in 1969, PMI has been a pioneering force in project management. Initially built on volunteer efforts, PMI has grown significantly, introducing key milestones such as the PMP certification in the 1980s and the first edition of the PMBOK® Guide in the 1990s. Over the decades, PMI expanded globally, celebrating its 50th anniversary with a robust network of chapters, certifications, and a vibrant community of professionals.
PMI is dedicated to maximising project success to elevate our world. This purpose drives our commitment to providing trusted best practices and methodologies through certifications, learning programs, and a strong 1.5 million community network that spans over 214 countries and territories, totalling 725.000 members in over 310 countries.
Through PMIxAI, PMI aims to lead the AI transformation in project management by merging human ingenuity with AI advancements. Our mission focuses on positioning PMI as the authority on AI in project management, demonstrating AI’s role in automating, assisting and augmenting project tasks, and rallying the project management community to embrace these changes.
The Challenges and Opportunities of AI in Project Management
One of the significant challenges highlighted by the presenter is the high failure rate of projects. Over 70% of projects fall short of their objectives, leading to substantial financial losses. For every $1 billion spent, organizations typically lose $97 million due to inefficient project practices. This stark reality underscores the pivotal role of project managers in driving project success and the immense potential of AI to transform these outcomes.
Research indicates that 89% of executives rank AI and Generative AI (GenAI) as top-three tech priorities for 2024. However, a substantial portion of organizations is still hesitant or dissatisfied with their progress in AI adoption. This ambivalence presents a unique opportunity for PMI to lead the way in demonstrating the practical benefits of AI in project management.
PMI’s Commitment to AI Integration
Dina Tasiou emphasised PMI’s unwavering commitment to leveraging AI to maximise project success. PMI has a storied history of leading advancements in project management and the integration of AI is the latest chapter in this ongoing evolution. Dina highlighted PMI’s comprehensive suite of resources designed to help project professionals understand and apply AI, including content, online courses, and community resources. This commitment is not only about current capabilities but also about preparing for future advancements in AI technology.
Strategies to Adopt GenAI in Project Work
The speaker outlined several strategies for integrating GenAI into project management workflows. There strategies include:
- Automation: Utilising GenAi to automate low-complexity tasks, thereby freeing up project managers time on more strategic activities.
- Assistance: Leveraging AI tools to complement human analysis, providing first drafts and iterative builds for expert review.
- Augmentation: Enhancing existing capabilities and learning new skills to perform complex and strategic tasks, making project professionals more effective and efficient.
PMI’s Visionary Approach to AI in Project Management
PMIxAI is PMI’s initiative to lead the use of AI in project management by merging human ingenuity with AI advancements. PMI Infinity, powered by community-built and vetted digital assets, supports project managers with AI-driven tools and resources. PMI emphasises thought leadership and provides extensive AI training and community engagement opportunities. With a thriving AI community of over 6,000 professionals, PMI promotes peer sharing and expert insights through webinars and events. Their strategic reports and guidelines help organizations navigate AI adoption, ensuring project managers are well-equipped for the future.
PMI Infinity the Future of Project Management
A highlight of the presentation was the introduction of PMI Infinity, a knowledge platform powered by community-built and vetted digital assets. PMI Infinity aims to assist project managers by providing a smart navigation system through over 14,000 pieces of PMI content, fostering a trusted and peer-reviewed knowledge base. This platform represents a significant leap forward in how project managers access and utilise information, ensuring they are well-equipped to leverage AI in their projects.
Building the Skills of the Future
To successfully integrate AI, project professionals must develop a range of new skills. Dina Tasiou emphasised the importance of skills such as data handling, programming, GenAI prompt engineering and understanding Large Language Models (LLMs). As she thoughtfully said, “Technology won’t replace humans, at least not too soon”. While AI can automate and augment tasks, the human touch remains irreplaceable. Embrace these new skills to stay ahead in the dynamic field of project management.
PMI is dedicated to providing learning products covering these high-demand AI topics, setting benchmarks through AI practice guides and standards, and offering extensive training and peer-sharing opportunities.
Call to Action
Dina Tasiou ended her presentation with a call to action. To fully harness the potential of GenAI, project professionals must create a safe environment for experimentation, focusing on the augmentation rather than the automation of skills. As she brilliantly said, “GenAI is not for Automation! Its focus should be on AUGMENTATION of Project Professionals’ skills and capabilities.” Teams should actively prepare to leverage GenAI by redesigning processes to embed this technology, ensuring they are at the forefront of AI-driven transformation. This strategic approach will enable project managers to enhance their capabilities, drive innovation, and achieve superior project outcomes.
Conclusion
Dina Tasiou’s presentation at the 19th Project Management conference in Greece underscored PMI’s pivotal role in driving AI adoption within the project management profession. By providing advanced learning opportunities, fostering a robust AI community and continuously evolving their resources, PMI is actively shaping that future.
As the speaker eloquently put it, PMI is leading the change in merging human ingenuity with AI advancements, ensuring that project professionals worldwide are equipped to deliver exceptional value and outcomes in an ever-changing business environment.
For project professionals eager to stay ahead of the curve, engaging with PMI’s extensive AI resources and community is not just beneficial but essential. The journey towards AI-enhanced project management is just beginning and PMI is the ideal partner to guide you every step of the way.
About the Author:
Lavinia Descultu, AI in Project Management Community of Action, PMI UK Chapter. With a deep interest in artificial intelligence, Lavinia is committed to integrating AI tools into her project management practices enhancing efficiency and driving results. She is a portfolio, program, and project professional with over two decades of experience in delivering innovative digital transformation.