Will the widespread adoption of prompt engineering commoditize project management skills, or can it help PMs differentiate themselves and command higher value?
Director, Learning Design & Development| PMIAsheville, NC, United States
Hi PMI Community! I’m Sarah Philbrick, and I work as a Product Manager at PMI with a focus on our learning offerings. As we go on this skill-building journey together, I’m excited to engage in meaningful conversations, explore trending topics, and learn from each other.
Reflecting on one such topic, GenAI and prompt engineering, I am interested to hear your perspective on commoditization vs. differentiation.
Will the widespread adoption of prompt engineering commoditize project management skills, or can it help PMs differentiate themselves and command higher value?
While, Generative AI can definitely speed up the work of a business analyst, it is not a silver bullet that will kill the role totally. The true value of a business analyst lies within their technical expertise and in-depth domain knowledge to be able to map pain points to feasible solutions and prioritise resources to get the product delivered. I see much potential for Generative AI to be tapped on, especially on developing effective communication plans to the stakeholders. Saving Changes...
My view is that prompt engineering is more likely to help PMs differentiate themselves and increase their value, rather than commoditize their skills. The key factors supporting this are:
AI augmentation, not replacement: Prompt engineering is likely to augment PM capabilities rather than replace core skills like leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking.
Increased productivity: PMs who master prompt engineering can likely handle more complex projects or a larger portfolio, increasing their value.
Evolving skill set: The ability to effectively use AI tools like prompt engineering may become an expected skill for high-level PMs, creating a new dimension for differentiation.
Focus on high-value work: By automating routine tasks, PMs can focus more on areas where human judgment and soft skills are crucial, potentially increasing their strategic value to organizations.
However, this perspective assumes that PMs actively adapt to and integrate these new technologies. Those who fail to do so may indeed find their skills commoditized. Saving Changes...
A. NIKKI THOMASSenior Project Manager | WhereowarePowder Springs, Ga, United States
Project management is so much more than note-taking and gantt charts. Managing personalities to get the best result, managing clients/stakeholders, strategic thinking -- all of these are skills that AI cannot replicate. While I believe in AI's potential to improve my day to day, in the end AI does not have human discernment, and that is where good PMs will continue to thrive.
...
1 reply by Jideofo Akaraiwe
Jan 28, 2025 6:39 AM
Jideofo Akaraiwe
...
AI can only enhance a PM not replace him
Saving Changes...
Bhanu ViswanadhaProduct Manager| NetApp Inc. Fremont, Ca, United States
View AI as a tool to help you do your job more efficiently. Treat the output as input to your task and you will be more successful and efficient than today. AI is here to stay and the sooner you cultivate the mindset to use it the better for you to survive and thrive at workplace. Saving Changes...
Lenin HazimSanto Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
Having the skills and wide domain of "prompt engineering" will be a crucial value addition differentiator among the projects managers professionals, even it will for sure, commoditize project management skills. Saving Changes...
The impact of the extensive embracement of prompt engineering on project management PM skills could go both ways depending on how PMs respond and utilize this technology. Prompt engineering can automate many routinized tasks normally dealt with by PMs such as scheduling, tracking progress, generating reports among others. This may devalue these basic skills in PM as AI is able to carry out these tasks more efficiently. Increasingly, organizations are turning to AI tools for managing fundamental project management assignments; hence there may be less need for basic PM capabilities. This might cause difficulties for those Project Managers who only possess these skills. PMs who understand and leverage prompt engineering can better their decision making processes. Through using AI to analyze data and generate insights, they can take better decisions which will translate into superior project outcomes. As a result of automating repetitive jobs, human-centric capacities such as strategic planning, stakeholder management and leadership become significant areas that PMs can focus upon, considering that no machine can replace them in doing so. Consequently this change may act as a way of differentiating themselves from other PMs while at the same time adding value. Saving Changes...
Alberto MendozaProject Manager| Microsoft (Through Aquent)Dallas, TX, United States
Gen AI (and prompt engineering) is a tool that has huge potential to enhance the possibilities to add more value to projects. As project managers, we have the responsibility to improve our skills in the use of this tool and remain vigilant of the ethical aspects of its use. Saving Changes...
Alberto MendozaProject Manager| Microsoft (Through Aquent)Dallas, TX, United States
Gen AI (and prompt engineering) is a tool that has huge potential to enhance the possibilities to add more value to projects. As project managers, we have the responsibility to improve our skills in the use of this tool and remain vigilant of the ethical aspects of its use Saving Changes...
I'm still wrapping my mind around the ethical implications of prompt engineering as a PM. I also have a background in Public Relations, and so many professionals did not understand copyright law. I would be hesitant to use prompt engineering in a detailed way, especially as a consultant or contractor. Even as an employee of an organization, I'm hesitant to use as the PMI Prompt Engineering course is training. Saving Changes...
Jonathan LewisDirector of Software Engineering| IFG Companies Inc.Durham, Nc, United States
Like many other technologies I think prompt engineering and AI in general will lead to a more efficient workforce. Prompt Engineering does not commoditize any role but it can change how that role is accomplished. Saving Changes...
I think somebody should come up with a way to breed a very large shrimp. That way, you could ride him, then, after you camped at night, you could eat him. How about it, science?
PMI Team Member
