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?
The effect of AI on us as Project Managers (PMs) really depends on the kind of PM we are. For those focused on strategy, leading teams, and creating business value, AI is a powerful tool.
It lets us automate tasks, make smarter decisions using data, optimize resources, and handle risks proactively. By taking care of routine work, AI frees us up to focus more on our teams and delivering true business value.
However, it's crucial to address situations where a PM's current contribution falls short of their potential, especially when AI tools could elevate their impact. This gap should be professionally identified and discussed, focusing on how AI can enhance, rather than diminish, the PM's strategic role.
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Benjamin GovindsamySenior Consultant| MOYOSandton, South Africa, South Africa
A colleague shares the following, comment by a manager "The project manager is at risk of being replaced by a project manager that knows how to leverage AI to deliver projects."
Interesting point of view and relevant. The stance is that by effective use of AI through proper prompt engineering, Project Managers are more likely to be successful in achieving their objectives, whether it be augmentation, sounding board, unlocking efficiency, becoming aware of blind spots, identifying project health issues, or simply getting inputs from past projects and lessons learnt. Saving Changes...
In my view, the widespread adoption of prompt engineering and AI tools will not commoditize project management skills but rather elevate the role of skilled PMs. I believe that for experienced Project Engineers and Project Managers like myself — with over 15 years in oil and gas, EPC projects, and complex multi-party coordination — AI can help us automate routine tasks, improve reporting, and enhance decision-making with better data insights.
However, AI can’t replace the human side of project management — leadership, stakeholder alignment, conflict resolution, and the ability to motivate diverse teams across different cultures and time zones. These soft and strategic skills will become even more valuable when AI handles repetitive work.
So, I see prompt engineering as a tool that can help capable PMs stand out and command higher value by freeing up time for what really matters: driving projects forward, managing risks proactively, and ensuring successful delivery under tight deadlines.
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Sokol YmeriProgram Manager| Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF)Tirana, Albania
I believe it will do both. A commodity for everyday simple use by everyone, and at the same time enhance the value of professional PMs. Saving Changes...
Augustus MutuaICT project Manager| United Nations22, Kenya
Prompt engineering will not commoditize project management but redefine it. Tasks which can be automated like reporting, writing minutes, updating plans etc, will become while the the PM closely focuses on other areas like stakeholder management, team leadership, risk management etc Saving Changes...
Anonymous
May 25, 2024 7:54 PM
Replying to Raman Chadha
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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.
The widespread adoption of prompt engineering will not commoditize project management skills - instead, it offers an opportunity for Project Managers (PMs) to differentiate themselves and command higher value.
Here’s why:
Prompt engineering is a tool, not a replacement: It can automate routine tasks (e.g., drafting reports, creating schedules, risk registers), but the core of project management - strategic thinking, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and leadership - cannot be commoditized.
PMs who master AI tools will stand out: Those who learn to effectively use AI through prompt engineering will work faster, deliver clearer insights, and lead data-driven decisions - making them more valuable to organizations.
Value shifts from task execution to insight and leadership: As AI takes over repetitive tasks, PMs who can interpret results, align them with project goals, and drive stakeholder engagement will rise in importance.
In short, prompt engineering is a lever to elevate project managers - not diminish them. Those who embrace it will be seen as strategic enablers, not task coordinators.
The widespread adoption of prompt engineering will not commoditize project management skills - instead, it offers an opportunity for Project Managers (PMs) to differentiate themselves and command higher value.
Here’s why:
Prompt engineering is a tool, not a replacement: It can automate routine tasks (e.g., drafting reports, creating schedules, risk registers), but the core of project management - strategic thinking, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and leadership - cannot be commoditized.
PMs who master AI tools will stand out: Those who learn to effectively use AI through prompt engineering will work faster, deliver clearer insights, and lead data-driven decisions - making them more valuable to organizations.
Value shifts from task execution to insight and leadership: As AI takes over repetitive tasks, PMs who can interpret results, align them with project goals, and drive stakeholder engagement will rise in importance.
In short, prompt engineering is a lever to elevate project managers - not diminish them. Those who embrace it will be seen as strategic enablers, not task coordinators.
Saving Changes...
Carlos JazbinsekProject Management| Independent Professional ServicesRio de Janeiro, Brazil
May 24, 2024 7:55 AM
Replying to Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
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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.
Yes, I agree. Saving Changes...
Carlos JazbinsekProject Management| Independent Professional ServicesRio de Janeiro, Brazil
The professional application of AI requires constant vigilance. It shouldn´t be considered a final answer of a work without careful verification of its outputs. This can be contrary to the idea of agility offered by AI but without checking and refining, we will certainly run risks. Saving Changes...
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