1. Description
On 27 April 2026, PMI UK Northwest Branch arranged an event: Double Event at Manchester Metropolitan University, which featured two speakers: Neil Horner and Jiten Bhardwaj. The event focused on professional growth in project management and the impact of artificial intelligence on the profession.
The session was hosted by Dr. Amin Akhavan Tabbasi, who opened the event and provided background context. He then invited Assadullah Memon to briefly walk the audience through PMI’s 40-year history and explain practical steps for becoming a PMI member.
Later, Neil Horner was invited, and he delivered a session titled “From Experience to Impact: Turn Experience into Opportunity.” His presentation explored how individuals often possess valuable experience but struggle to communicate it effectively in professional project management terms. He encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences and recognise transferable skills that could strengthen their professional identity.
Jiten Bhardwaj presented “The AI-Augmented Project Manager.” His session examined how artificial intelligence is changing project management by automating routine tasks, supporting decision-making, and helping project managers work more efficiently. He also emphasised that human skills such as leadership, judgement, and stakeholder engagement remain essential despite technological advances.
2. Feelings
Before attending an event like this, you may feel curious but uncertain about how relevant the sessions will be to your development. You might expect to learn about project management while also wondering whether the content will connect to your current academic or professional stage.
During Neil Horner’s session, you may feel encouraged because his message challenges the assumption that only formal project roles provide meaningful experience. The discussion can help you recognise that you may already have relevant skills from university work and collaborative tasks that you have not fully acknowledged.
During Jiten Bhardwaj’s presentation, you may feel both interested and slightly concerned. The rapid development of AI in project management can seem exciting, while also prompting you to consider how quickly you may need to adapt. However, the emphasis on the continued importance of human judgement can reassure you that technology is intended to support, not replace, project managers.
3. Evaluation
One positive aspect of the event was that both speakers delivered practical insights rather than only theoretical ideas. Neil Horner’s use of personal storytelling made his message relatable and can help you see how professional confidence can be developed by reframing previous experience.
Jiten Bhardwaj’s session was valuable because it offered a forward-looking perspective on project management. His examples of AI applications demonstrate how technology can reduce administrative workload and improve project performance, broadening your understanding of future skills required in the profession.
A limitation of the event was that the sessions were relatively short, which meant some topics could only be introduced briefly. You may benefit from more detailed examples of how AI tools are currently being implemented in real project environments.
4. Analysis
This event highlights two important themes in modern project management: self-awareness and adaptability.
Neil Horner’s presentation shows that professional development is not only about gaining experience but also about recognising and communicating that experience effectively. This links to employability theory, which suggests that you must be able to demonstrate your competencies in ways employers understand. The key takeaway is that reflective thinking can help you identify hidden strengths that might otherwise be overlooked.
Jiten Bhardwaj’s presentation shows that project management is evolving alongside digital transformation. AI has the potential to improve forecasting, reporting, and decision support, but you still need human capabilities such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking. This aligns with current views that future professionals must combine technical awareness with interpersonal skills.
When you consider both sessions together, you can see that successful project managers need to manage both their personal development and the external changes within the profession. This makes the event particularly relevant to your future career planning.
5. Conclusion
Overall, the event can be a valuable learning experience that changes how you view project management. You may take away that you should place greater value on the experience you already have and become more confident in presenting it professionally. You may also recognise that understanding AI will become increasingly important in project environments.
The event reinforces that project management is not simply about technical processes but also about communication, confidence, and continuous learning. In future, these insights can help you prepare more effectively for a career in the field.
6. Action Plan
Based on this reflection, you could take several practical actions:
- Review your CV and LinkedIn profile to better describe your transferable, project-related skills.
- Reflect regularly on academic and work experiences to identify clear examples of leadership and problem-solving.
- Improve your understanding of AI tools used in project management by researching practical software applications.
- Attend more professional events to continue developing industry knowledge and networking skills.
- Build confidence in discussing your experiences using professional project management terminology.
By taking these steps, you can begin to apply what you learned from the event to your professional development and future career opportunities.
Prepared for: Project management professionals and aspiring practitioners | written by: Assadullah Memon (PhD Researcher), University of Manchester, UK.