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?
Are we not teaching LLMs to do our work? Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Just with any technology paradigm shift, the way that projects are managed will change. I believe AI should be considered to be part of the new project management toolkit and seen as an enabler and facilitator, an innovation partner to the project manager. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I appreciate the speed and efficiency and output ascetics of AI LLM outputs. By learning how to mold my prompts to iteratively improve the outputs, it's akin to throwing a pot on the wheel. Careful and specific prompts and guidance and you can shape an awe inspiring vase, or else end up with a sloppy pile of clay, prompting YOU to start over. Saving Changes...
The adoption of prompt engineering will give value in project management to those who have a good capacity to adapt in this disruptive world.
I agree with you. Saving Changes...
Marc DinnerTransformation Programme/Project Manager| NALondon, United Kingdom
Given the current use by companies of Gen AI and certainly how it is being talked about in the media, the current positioning of Gen AI to enhance PM value seems optimistic to me.
Given the continued trajectory of Gen AI advancements it will not be long before anyone can call themselves a project manager, using Gen AI to drive forward what/how/when and with whom the principles of leading an implementation. Irrespective of the industry or current role of the individual, I can not see why the field of project management is any different to any other role that is currently being impacted both positively and negatively.
If the new technology can replace fighter pilots and command jet fighters or replace many tasks that lawyers undertake or replace completely 0000s of contact centre jobs that have been impacted, then why would project managers be any different?
That is not to state there will be value in having trained and skilled project & programme leaders but the soft skills/improved communication, stakeholder relationships and management may likely become even more important to human interaction. Lets face it, one of the vital skills that project/programme leaders need to develop and continually enhance are those communication skills. The ability to communicate effectively, to show sympathy/empathy, get the message across so those receiving understand, engage and are positive in their actions/reactions.
With every industrial revolution there will be winners and losers, we are already seeing a swathe of losers, the question for us as specialist workers must be "how do we stay relevant and what can we bring to the table that Gen AI can not do or as well as we can". Upskilling on those skills Gen AI will do better/quicker seems a waste of time. We need to focus on what Gen AI can not do, the hard part is figuring out what it can't do given the speed by which it is developing! Saving Changes...
Yes, widespread adoption might make prompt engineering common, but prompt mastery for complex, high-stakes project management will keep PMs unique and in-demand. For example, being the only person in the room who can make a billion-dollar decision with confidence in half the time, this is exceptionally rare, and worth more. Saving Changes...
Prompt engineering is a game-changer. It helps me define, refine, and deepen ideas or requirements more effectively, adding real value to any project. By mastering the right tools in a constantly changing world—where knowledge and technology evolve rapidly—we can work more productively, make better decisions, and deliver higher-quality results. Saving Changes...
In my opinion, prompt engineering will enhance differentiation. To the best of my knowledge, AI is best at doing certain things while human beings are best at doing other things. Optimal performance is achieved where both are utilized appropriately. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Prompt engineering is unlikely to commoditize project management skills on its own. It’s more likely to create a divide between PMs who leverage it effectively and those who don’t. Prompt engineering will raise the baseline efficiency for all PMs, but it won’t replace core skills like leadership, judgment, and stakeholder management. PMs who master it can deliver faster, gain deeper insights, and tailor communications more effectively. Saving Changes...
Elizabeth LiguoriDirector, Operations and Grants Management| Partnership to End AddictionNew York, NY, United States
Prompt engineering can be of tremendous value if used in a safe and compliant way. While AI on its own is a great tool, what it produces relies solely on a competent human who develops a solid and robust prompt with clear instructions. PMS can differentiate themselves by using prompt engineering to showcase and hone their existing skills plus what they continue to learn about AI. AI should enhance and assist PMs with building documents, creating structure, developing budgets, etc. It should not do the work, but elevate the work of a talented PM. Saving Changes...
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