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 with variety of prompt engineering help to adapt modern technology and drive significant output by reducing manual repetitive tasks. Saving Changes...
I see AI tools will help us as a differentiator. AI tools can help PMs to off load some of the tasks to it, which could be done by these tools faster than us that in turn helps to improve the productivity of a PM. Hence it is important for PMs to upskill themselves to make use of these AI tools in an efficient and effective way. Prompt Engineering course offered by PMI would be helpful for PMs to upskill themselves in this area. Saving Changes...
Claudio TantignoneSubgerente de Infraestructura y Arquitectura Tecnologica| Trenes Argentinos OperacionesCaba, Caba - Buenos Aires, Argentina
I believe that prompt engineering helps us develop better control and success of projects. Having detailed information allows for better analysis and planning.
Many times the response to customer problems is done by people with knowledge but no experience in the field, and it minimizes or eliminates risks that are essential to consider.
I had this problem in a project at an employer where the major risks were in the logistics of shipping the parts, and in the analysis of the project the sale focused on the products and not on the heavy fines that there were in the delay of the logistics if it failed, which had a very strict schedule and whose coordination was 90% of the execution of the project. Saving Changes...
Trever SimesIT Project Manager| ElwynHernando, Ms, United States
I'm just here so I don't get fined. Saving Changes...
Roger BrowneSr. Release Coordinator| Elevance HealthLindon, Ut, United States
"While there is a potential risk of commoditizing certain project management skills, the strategic use of AI and prompt engineering offers substantial opportunities for project managers to differentiate themselves, enhance their value, and command higher respect and compensation within their organizations. By embracing these tools and focusing on essential Power Skills, PMs can remain at the forefront of their profession."
GenAI helps streamline workflows, reduce task times, and speed up decision-making. While this might commoditize certain skills, strong relationships with people are key to project success in today’s agile development. Prioritizing "humanity" and building trust is what truly makes a difference for project managers (PMs). Saving Changes...
AI through the use of LLMs, at this time of commenting is mostly helpful to streamline workflow, refine, possibly improve and enrich content of a task outcome. Actual communication and building relationships with team members and stakeholders is still one of the most valuable "tool" for project managers. Saving Changes...
The intersection of PMI's Pulse of the Profession 2023 and Deloitte's 2024 Human Capital Global Trends Report provides a compelling answer: the very power skills project managers (PMs) need to avoid commoditization are both critically valued and profoundly underdeveloped. This paradox presents an opportunity for differentiation.
Power Skills: “Almost Universal Gap”
According to PMI's survey of over 3,400 PMs, 90% recognize Power Skills as essential, yet only 20% of organizations invest in training them. This disparity is driven by a disproportionate focus on technical and business skills (80% of investment), leaving the human-centric capabilities underfunded. While PMOs acknowledge the significance of these skills in "working smarter," barriers such as budget limitations and misaligned priorities persist.
Organizational “Imagination Deficit”
Similarly, Deloitte identifies a related systemic issue surveying 14,000 leaders globally: 63% believe empowering imagination is crucial but 57% feel unprepared to meet the demands of balancing human and AI collaboration. Deloitte states, "The more AI-enabled work becomes, the more important human imagination becomes."
Implications for PMs
Prompt engineering and similar advancements may automate many functions but cannot replicate the quintessentially human attributes—imagination chief among them. PMs who cultivate and leverage their imagination will: Differentiate themselves by envisioning possibilities others overlook. Drive value by aligning technical outputs with human-centric outcomes. Saving Changes...
The intersection of PMI's Pulse of the Profession 2023 and Deloitte's 2024 Human Capital Global Trends Report provides a compelling answer: the very power skills project managers (PMs) need to avoid commoditization are both critically valued and profoundly underdeveloped. This paradox presents an opportunity for differentiation.
Power Skills: “Almost Universal Gap” According to PMI's survey of over 3,400 PMs, 90% recognize Power Skills as essential, yet only 20% of organizations invest in training them. This disparity is driven by a disproportionate focus on technical and business skills (80% of investment), leaving the human-centric capabilities underfunded. While PMOs acknowledge the significance of these skills in "working smarter," barriers such as budget limitations and misaligned priorities persist.
Organizational “Imagination Deficit” Similarly, Deloitte identifies a related systemic issue surveying 14,000 leaders globally: 63% believe empowering imagination is crucial but 57% feel unprepared to meet the demands of balancing human and AI collaboration. Deloitte states, "The more AI-enabled work becomes, the more important human imagination becomes."
Implications for PMs Prompt engineering and similar advancements may automate many functions but cannot replicate the quintessentially human attributes—imagination chief among them. PMs who cultivate and leverage their imagination will: Differentiate themselves by envisioning possibilities others overlook. Drive value by aligning technical outputs with human-centric outcomes. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Admittedly, I have not used AI to help manage my project, however I think it can be a differentiator for PMs. Understanding and effectively using AI through proper prompt engineering could be of benefit by simplifying routine tasks and reports, freeing up project manager to tackle more complex activities. The skills need to write affective prompts are also the skills needed to be an effective project manager such as being a good write & communicator however, the skills of "people management", understanding the business needs and stakeholders are too nuanced to yet be considered by AI. Saving Changes...
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