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?
Mechel GlassConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
I think widespread adoption could streamline certain tasks therefore commoditizing them; however, no one can replace the historical knowledge and experience of Project Managers who have embraced AI but also have vast experience in working with diverse stakeholders, providing senior leadership with facts and data they need to make strategic decisions, or the ability to walk into an unknown field/project/product and run it like you've been doing it for 10 years. Leading your team by listening to them and providing assignments that align with their skill set when on paper it says they should be good at doing something else. Also, following ethical practices and saying no even if your leadership demands you do it. And finally, hearing the silent voices and incorporating minority thoughts when louder voices generally overtake conversations. No AI can do that alone, but AI and an experienced certified PM can do it. This synergy between technology and human expertise is what truly sets exceptional PMs apart. Saving Changes...
As a Project Assistant currently taking an AI course, I believe the rise of prompt engineering won’t commoditize project management—it will actually enhance it. While AI tools can automate routine tasks like scheduling, documentation, and report generation, they can’t replace the essential human elements that drive successful projects: in-person stakeholder engagement, real-time risk mitigation, clear communication, and team leadership. By learning prompt engineering, I’m equipping myself to work more efficiently and support my team with better data insights and faster decision-making tools. This allows me to focus more on collaboration, problem-solving, and anticipating project challenges. In a field like construction or renewable energy, where things can change quickly on the ground, that human adaptability is still critical. I see AI as a powerful partner, not a replacement—one that will help project professionals like me stand out by combining tech-savvy efficiency with people-first execution.
AI prompt engineering will be more of a differentiator. Like most disruptors, it's meant to be a tool, not a crutch. There's still a human element to project management that would be awfully hard to be replaced by technology. Those who best know how to use AI in project management will stand out from the rest. Saving Changes...
In my experience, the proper use of prompt engineering gives great value to project management. The key is to be sure that your prompt is detailed enough with out mitigating any risk of sharing too much and more importantly to validate the output sources, this is crucial. Saving Changes...
With the new generation of generative AI portfolio/program/project manager and business analyst role "are dead" at least in the way they were originally defined. I think a good source to understand that are the two courses on generative AI delivered for free by the PMI, mainly if you see the 3 layer model.
I wouldn't say Data analytics is dead, because to prompt an AI requires certain usage and skill of knowledge from the user, that's where PMI comes in to support and give the tools to be better at it, also to be able to still be relevant in whatever field you are in. Saving Changes...
Sarah FlanaginProject Manager and Business Analyst| Indiana Wesleyan UniversityMarion, In, United States
May 24, 2024 7:55 AM
Replying to Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
...
While prompt engineering may streamline certain aspects of project management, skilled project managers who combine technical knowledge, soft skills, and strategic thinking could be continue to command higher value.
I agree - at least for now. The current state of AI still requires a level of knowledge to verify and prompt the tool, however in the future that could change as it is predicted to assume a more comprehensive human role. Saving Changes...
This is the first time using or watching the use of AI. Right now, I´m seeing this as a tool to optimize time and as a source of documentation. It will help with your task on a daily basis but I don´t expect to solve all my problems. It requieres experience to understand the responses of AI an to analyze if it applies correctly solving some issues. Probably and depending on the context, each PM will guide the AI tool to fit with its work environment but I don´t think AI will give all of us the same response for different issues. Each PM will learn to differenciate over several AI responses and put the one most addecuate to his/her needs into action. Saving Changes...
This is the first time using or watching the use of AI. Right now, I´m seeing this as a tool to optimize time and as a source of documentation. It will help with your task on a daily basis but I don´t expect to solve all my problems. It requieres experience to understand the responses of AI an to analyze if it applies correctly solving some issues. Probably and depending on the context, each PM will guide the AI tool to fit with its work environment but I don´t think AI will give all of us the same response for different issues. Each PM will learn to differenciate over several AI responses and put the one most addecuate to his/her needs into action. Saving Changes...
I think any technology that can automate parts of the project management chain can commoditize project management skills once it becomes commonplace. GenAI could be the most powerful such technology that we have seen yet, at least in the recent past. That said, there will always be room to use it as an enabler for managing more complex tasks, e.g., tasks that involve more human to human interaction. We are only scratching the surface of how it can be used and for the foreseeable future, I think it can help differentiate Project Managers if they are open to embracing it and experimenting with it. More than prompt engineering, it will be about being creative in identifying new use cases that GenAI could solve.
That's true, I agree with you. Every professional has the chance to embrace new technologies and leverage its advantages to power his outcomes in his expertise field. Saving Changes...
In my opinion, AI and prompt engineering can automate routine, administrative tasks (like drafting reports, generating schedules, or summarizing data), this frees up PMs to focus on higher-value activities that require uniquely human skills. PMs who master prompt engineering will be more efficient and effective, leveraging AI as a powerful tool to amplify their existing skills, rather than being replaced by it. Saving Changes...
PMI Team Member
