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?
Gen AI and prompt engineering are like evolutionary tools at the service of the PM, in the sense that it can bring added value if the ingredients of its use are well balanced. This is just as true of technology-related inventions such as social networking: for example, every member of the PMI community can share his/her opinions via this platform, but not all will do so, which in no way detracts from their status as PMI members or PMs.
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2 replies by ABDULMAJEED AFOLABI
Apr 11, 2025 2:38 PM
ABDULMAJEED AFOLABI
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The rise of prompt engineering, especially in the age of AI-powered tools, is definitely shaking things up in professions like project management and it can commoditize project management skills only for certain layers of PM work.
Prompt engineering can automate or significantly streamline:
1. Task tracking & reporting
2. Drafting communication (status updates, stakeholder emails, etc.)
3. Risk assessments based on templates
4. Documentation and meeting minutes
However, for PMs who mostly operate at an administrative or coordination level, there's a real risk of skills becoming commoditized, especially if their value is tied to repeatable processes that AI can now do faster and cheaper.
Thank you.
Apr 11, 2025 2:38 PM
ABDULMAJEED AFOLABI
...
The rise of prompt engineering, especially in the age of AI-powered tools, is definitely shaking things up in professions like project management and it can commoditize project management skills only for certain layers of PM work.
Prompt engineering can automate or significantly streamline:
1. Task tracking & reporting
2. Drafting communication (status updates, stakeholder emails, etc.)
3. Risk assessments based on templates
4. Documentation and meeting minutes
However, for PMs who mostly operate at an administrative or coordination level, there's a real risk of skills becoming commoditized, especially if their value is tied to repeatable processes that AI can now do faster and cheaper. We must be mindful of how we to it to optimize our tacks. Thank you.
Saving Changes...
Jeannette CollazoPresident & CEO| Lurdez Consulting Group, Inc.Naperville, Il, United States
I see Gen AI as a tool to empower the function of a Project Manager or a Program Manager. The role of project management requires a substantial amount of documentation, reporting, etc. that demands hours of work for project managers while running a project. I believe AI is the perfect tool to be used so that the project manager can focus on tasks that will better assist in completing a project successfully. Unfortunately, still, at this moment in time, many people think that project management is writing a project plan in MS Project, making the field appealing to everyone because they think it is easy. Then to realize that creating a plan is just a tool to track the status of a project. Experienced project managers can appreciate Gen AI because they will look at it as something to empower their role and not as something to replace him or her. Saving Changes...
In my opinion it is certain that AIs will have very intellectual intelligence in the future but they will be a real threat to the project management when they have a higher emotional intelligence than humans. Saving Changes...
Jeff PhillipsFounder and CEO| Adlayer ConsultingDanville, Ca, United States
GenAI is a useful tool that increases PM's effectiveness while reducing the time to complete the more mundane PM tasks such as meeting minutes. With good Prompt Engineering, time-consuming tasks such as creating a Scope Statement, Project Charter, Product Requirements Document, Risk Register, Stakeholder Power Interest Grid, Communications Plan, and Functional Specifications __in draft form__ can easily be accomplished. Important to note __in draft form__. These will always need to be reviewed and revised by a human for clarity and correctness. GenAI is a useful tool, and solid understanding of Prompt Engineering frameworks (RTF, CREATE) along with iterative prompt refinements ensure a high quality of work product output. Am I fearful that AI will ultimately replace humans in PM roles? Nah. Nope. Not now, at least. There would have to be much more technical development with checks and balances for ethics and quality to even consider that type of (bleak) future where AI does all the work as humans just lounge around consuming video content and eating bonbons. To summarize, while the widespread adoption of prompt engineering may commoditize the more mundane project management outputs as mentioned previously, the smart money says that AI will facilitate performing our job function quicker, faster, and with higher quality, thus enabling us to differentiate ourselves and ultimately command higher value for our services. Saving Changes...
Gen Ai is a fantastic resource for anyone with any type of cognitive disability - for example, a person with dyslexia, ADHD, or autism, may be a great project manager but may have difficulty focusing their thoughts. These people tend to be very list and task oriented. This resource helps them to obtain exactly what they need to create the list they need to help them focus, and once in front of eyeballs, they can tackle each task one by one. Prompt engineering will help not only those with cognitive disabilities, but anyone who gets decision fatigue, which many project managers get in everyday work, by giving your brain a break and helping you out. Saving Changes...
Ashley VillegasMarketing Project ManagerHouston, United States
I believe GenAI tools are simply that, tools - and not a replacement for job duties or an entire human. I have used basic-level prompt engineering to produce prompts and they require tweaks along the way to execute what I am after 90% of the time. These tools only do what you tell them to, in other words. It's interesting to know you can augment your own data for improvements since their accuracy is only as good as their most recent training. Saving Changes...
Ashley VillegasMarketing Project ManagerHouston, United States
I believe GenAI tools are simply that - tools. They produce prompts only as good as the instructions they receive from the user. When I first started incorporating ChatGPT into everyday tasks, I tweaked my prompts 90% of the time. It is interesting to know you can also augment data and that these tools are only as good as the last training they received. Saving Changes...
Keith KillenCFO| Digital Technology GroupTampa, Fl, United States
I'm a newbie to AI but in just the few times I've used it, there has been real value and significant time savings for getting the task complete. I have no concerns over being replaced, but do see incredible value in using it. I lean toward believing the tools will help me to differentiate myself and command higher value. Thus, I am an old dog learning new tricks. Saving Changes...
Cristina PintoProject Manager| Glintt NextFundão / Castelo Branco, Portugal, Portugal
The adoption of prompt engineering and AI in project management may commoditize some routine aspects of the role, it also opens up opportunities for PMs to differentiate themselves by focusing on strategic, complex, and human-centric aspects of project management. PMs who can effectively leverage AI tools to enhance decision-making, drive innovation, and excel in leadership and communication will command higher value and continue to thrive in the evolving landscape. Saving Changes...
Marcos CamposSenior Project Management| Andes DigitalSantiago Centro, RM, Chile
I think that, like other tools and technology outhere, this one would be a helpful element in Project Management and other fields. The only example that comes to my mind now would be the technical drawing when Autocad came in. We must learn how use it. Saving Changes...
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