Hot Topic – 1 March 2020

Emily -

Not as much of a trend as a current reality. Covid-19 might cause us to shift our training delivery for a period of time from "in person" to virtual which can be challenging for highly interactive, tactile-based, team-oriented exercises.

Kiron

Looking into the potential of AI for project managers.

1. saw the use of neuronal networks in project estimations - as documented by Ricardo Vargas some years ago

2. read about VR/AR capabilities to create experiences in our memories and with that influencing our perspectives and behaviors
- could be useful in change management projects but also in other mass stakeholder influencing uses (beware of ethics)
- could also be used in virtual teams to increase communication and trust
- is already used in education and training

3. looking into BIM as a digital twin of the project product, so simulations, design, reviews become much more possible. Put some algorithms in the tool and much of the white collar work is gone. Construction industry is leading here, albeit not everywhere yet. Hugh potential to cut cost by 20% and durations by 50%.

We are observing digital transformation as a dominating trend. As they say "every business is a digital business" - nearly every project has to deal with some aspect of digitalization. It could be the cloud or mobility or social or analytics.

Any practising PM has to understand that digital transformation is not just technology adoption - it churns the enterprise causing multiple changes which needs to be handled in an integrated manner.