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?
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 the correct analysis. Saving Changes...
Garland MobleyChief Systems Engineer| Government AgencyEl Segundo, Ca, United States
Jul 09, 2024 6:19 PM
Replying to Mounina Tounkara
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That is a great question. In my point of view, the widespread adoption of prompt engineering could commoditize project management skills.
In the short term, it can help PMs differentiate themselves and command higher value. But in the medium and long term, if AI can handle 80% of a PM's tasks, I believe that companies might start replacing PMs to increase profit.
I am not sure if I understand the question if, "widespread adoption of prompt engineering " used to "commoditize" project management skills to "differentiate themselves and command higher value." I do agree that being versed on prompt engineering is a key skill for refining query syntax to extract and harvest useful information form LLMs. I also agree that properly leveraging AI tools utilizing techniques and methods taught in PMI AI learning modules strengthen project manager's "Talent Triangle" with knowledge to better navigate LLMs for enhance project products. 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 dont think LLMs can replace any of the roles since ultimately LLMs require inputs to be functional and depending on the prompt or how good the input is, one gets likewise the output. The role of verifying the output empirically is irreplaceable Saving Changes...
Ashley GrahamProgram Manager| Keen LogicHuntingtown, Md, United States
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.
I agree. I also want to be intentional about validating the information through citing the sources. Saving Changes...
Hi Sarah, great topic! Widespread adoption of prompt engineering could initially commoditize some aspects of project management by automating routine tasks, but skilled PMs who harness GenAI effectively can differentiate themselves by using it to enhance strategic decision-making, foster creativity, and drive unique solutions, ultimately commanding higher value. Saving Changes...
Tom JoseProgram Manager / Product Manager| Royal Bank of CanadaCourtice, ONTARIO, Canada
I believe the AI capabilities help PM and org to make more informed decisions quickly in more reliable way. There could be tweaks needed from personal and process point from the legacy concepts while adopting AI technologies as the working pace and accuracy in operations, projects are considerably get changed. Saving Changes...
There are two questions being asked here which can both be true at the same time. While some aspects of project management will become less specialized, as areas of all disciplines become with the introduction of new technologies, I think other project manager skills will become higher value. Saving Changes...
Chun Ming ChanSenior Project Management| Compass OfficesHong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Hi PMI Team,
I’m Rex Chan, a Product Manager at my company, focusing on new site opening projects in APAC countries.
With the emergence of GenAI technologies, I have found that they significantly reduce the routine work involved in reporting. Through my experience with prompt engineering, I have learned how to effectively manage conversations with AI bots, which has further saved me time in my work. This allows me to focus on more critical business priorities within my role, ultimately adding value to my career.
Widespread adoption of prompt engineering will most likely refine and/or redefine essential project management skills rather than commoditize provided the intent is use AI to add value rather than using AI to apply PM like it "always been done here" Through prompt engineering can help PMs build on what has been captured in the LLMs and apply it to their specific situation to gain insights which can differentiate themselves and command higher value. For instance the PM can use AI to reduce the time generate a presentation for a stakeholder to address concerns or start a converstation. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Prompt Engineering will assist the Project Mangers by providing required reports which will enable the Project Managers to command higher value.
Validating the AI Responses / reports and augmenting the right data resources is the responsibility of the Project Manager Saving Changes...
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