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?
Lisa LawsonPortfolio Planning SME| State StreetGreater Boston, MA, United States
I believe strongly that prompt engineering will not commoditize project management skills, it will rather amplify the value of forward-thinking PMs who know how to harness it. While AI can streamline tasks like documentation and reporting, it can’t replace the strategic thinking, stakeholder alignment, and leadership that great PMs provide. Those who adapt and integrate prompt engineering into their workflows will not only boost efficiency but also position themselves as high-impact, next-gen leaders who are more valuable than ever. Saving Changes...
Lisa LawsonPortfolio Planning SME| State StreetGreater Boston, MA, United States
I believe strongly that prompt engineering will not commoditize project management skills, it will rather amplify the value of forward-thinking PMs who know how to harness it. While AI can streamline tasks like documentation and reporting, it can’t replace the strategic thinking, stakeholder alignment, and leadership that great PMs provide. Those who adapt and integrate prompt engineering into their workflows will not only boost efficiency but also position themselves as high-impact, next-gen leaders who are more valuable than ever. Saving Changes...
Luis Gustavo PederassiProject Manager | Naval Architect & Marine Engineer| Petrobas TranspetroRj, Brazil
Hi Sarah,
I am convinced that training and refining our skills will be pivotal to resolving this issue.
As with any major leap in history, dealing with GenAI will require professionals to use it to its full potential, making our daily tasks easier and enhancing the value of our work, and this will require us to have the right values and professional ethics as a compass.
It is up to us to ensure that it is worth using, and to use it intelligently. Ultimately, it's not magic — it's technology created by humans for humans. Saving Changes...
Luis Gustavo PederassiProject Manager | Naval Architect & Marine Engineer| Petrobas TranspetroRj, Brazil
Hi Sarah,
I am convinced that training and refining our skills will be pivotal to resolving this issue.
As with any major leap in history, dealing with GenAI will require professionals to use it to its full potential, making our daily tasks easier and enhancing the value of our work, and this will require us to have the right values and professional ethics as a compass.
It is up to us to ensure that it is worth using, and to use it intelligently. Ultimately, it's not magic — it's technology created by humans for humans. Saving Changes...
Luis Gustavo PederassiProject Manager | Naval Architect & Marine Engineer| Petrobas TranspetroRj, Brazil
Hi Sarah,
I am convinced that training and refining our skills will be pivotal to resolving this issue.
As with any major leap in history, dealing with GenAI will require professionals to use it to its full potential, making our daily tasks easier and enhancing the value of our work, and this will require us to have the right values and professional ethics as a compass.
It is up to us to ensure that it is worth using, and to use it intelligently. Ultimately, it's not magic — it's technology created by humans for humans. Saving Changes...
Great question. I think GenAI and prompt engineering will do both: commoditize routine PM tasks while helping skilled PMs stand out. Basic admin tasks will become easier and expected — that’s the commoditization. But PMs who learn to use AI well — crafting better prompts, validating outputs, and applying insights — can free up time for higher-value work like strategic thinking and stakeholder management. So, it’s a differentiator for those who embrace it, adding more value rather than replacing PMs.
Looking forward to others’ thoughts!
I believe the rise of prompt engineering and AI tools in project management will not commoditize PM skills—but instead amplify the divide between those who adapt and those who resist. For this reason, digital literacy is no longer optional—it's foundational.
As a functional manager in l
Landscape R&D project actively taking the PMI “Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for Project Management” course, I see a major gap: many professionals, even those in leadership roles, struggle with basic digital tools, let alone using AI tools effectively. Some are unfamiliar with cloud platforms, data dashboards, or even basic collaboration apps. This creates a paradox—while AI is becoming more accessible, not all PMs are ready to harness it.
Prompt engineering doesn't replace PM skills—it enhances them. But only if we, as PMs, embrace continuous learning and build at least baseline computer and data literacy. Those who do will stand out, not be replaced.
So rather than fearing commoditization, I see this as an opportunity for PMs to differentiate themselves, lead digital transformation, and deliver more strategic value.
Would love to hear others’ thoughts—especially from those managing cross-generational teams or in low-tech environments. How are you addressing this skill gap?
I believe the rise of prompt engineering and AI tools in project management will not commoditize PM skills—but instead amplify the divide between those who adapt and those who resist. For this reason, digital literacy is no longer optional—it's foundational.
As a functional manager in l
Landscape R&D project actively taking the PMI “Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for Project Management” course, I see a major gap: many professionals, even those in leadership roles, struggle with basic digital tools, let alone using AI tools effectively. Some are unfamiliar with cloud platforms, data dashboards, or even basic collaboration apps. This creates a paradox—while AI is becoming more accessible, not all PMs are ready to harness it.
Prompt engineering doesn't replace PM skills—it enhances them. But only if we, as PMs, embrace continuous learning and build at least baseline computer and data literacy. Those who do will stand out, not be replaced.
So rather than fearing commoditization, I see this as an opportunity for PMs to differentiate themselves, lead digital transformation, and deliver more strategic value.
Would love to hear others’ thoughts—especially from those managing cross-generational teams or in low-tech environments. How are you addressing this skill gap?
AI use is risky not only for Project Managers, but for almost any professional. On the one hand, when used well, using an LLM as Project Managers can increase our value as professionals by providing tools that make the job easier, save time, provide a better solution, give a new perspective, or introduce updates... On the other hand, when a professional relies 100% on LLM and does not follow good practices such as reviewing the output, giving clear instructions or verifying sources, they take more risks than benefits.
AI use is risky not only for Project Managers, but for almost any professional. On the one hand, when used well, using an LLM as Project Managers can increase our value as professionals by providing tools that make the job easier, save time, provide a better solution, give a new perspective, or introduce updates... On the other hand, when a professional relies 100% on LLM and does not follow good practices such as reviewing the output, giving clear instructions or verifying sources, they take more risks than benefits.
PMI Team Member
