How Unsupervised Learning Algorithms Help Project Managers

 

Unsupervised learning is a type of AI-based algorithm that relies on characteristics instead of labeled datasets that are used in supervised learning. A typical application is the ability to classify or cluster datasets based on their characteristics. For example, an unsupervised learning algorithm can easily classify fruit based on color, size, and shape. The algorithm does not know what a banana is, but it will create a common group for anything resembling a banana. In projects, three uses of unsupervised learning are for risks, task complexity, and change requests.

1) Risks. Using unsupervised learning to cluster risks might result in finding a common cause for a group of risks or developing a shared mitigation strategy. Clustering risks from several projects can also result in finding a risk on your project that was overlooked.

Figure 1

Clustering