With artificial intelligence evolving at an unprecedented pace, as project managers and leaders, we face a dilemma: embrace all the possibilities AI offers or focus our efforts on what directly adds value to what we do?
Are we prepared to filter out what truly matters, balancing technological innovation with the core principles of leadership and management? Or are we at risk of being swept away by a wave of advancements that don't always align with our realities?
Let's reflect. The technological revolution is here, but the essential question remains: how can we ensure we are using AI to make ourselves better and not just busier?
Project Manager| AWR Development (BD) Ltd. Cox's Bazer , Bangladesh
Hi Wellington,
Thanks for bringing up such an important topic! I believe we should definitely embrace the advancements in AI but with a thoughtful approach.
It’s all about finding the right balance—leveraging AI to enhance our work while staying true to the core principles of project management.
By focusing on what truly adds value, we can ensure that we’re using AI to make our processes more efficient without getting overwhelmed.
Let’s keep the conversation going, Wellington!
Best,
Golam
...
1 reply by Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
Dec 18, 2024 5:18 PM
Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
...
Hi Golam,
I really appreciate your perspective, and I couldn't agree more! We share the same belief: focus on what truly adds value to our projects.
A project manager spends 90% of their time communicating, and that’s something AI still doesn’t do well. While AI can streamline processes, analyze data, and automate routine tasks, it doesn’t replace the human touch required to manage expectations, align stakeholders, and deliver on promises.
I firmly believe that PMs who don’t learn to leverage AI will be left behind. This isn’t just a trend—it’s the present. However, I also feel we need to be careful not to lose focus. What makes us great project managers isn’t just the ability to write good prompts; it’s our capacity to communicate effectively, keep projects on schedule and budget, and deliver the expected benefits.
AI is an ally, but it’s up to us to lead the project, guide the team, and drive success.
AI advances must be strategically applied to our company. This means that we must do a prior analysis, taking into account the areas that can be benefited, the processes to be intervened with the application of AI, carrying out pilot tests that guarantee the desired results, and also taking into account the budget to be implemented. be spent on the implementation of these technological advances. A good prior analysis will guarantee that the inclusion of these new advances is truly beneficial for the organization.
Including a new AI technology just because it is fashionable or has recently appeared will not necessarily benefit the company or generate more value for the product or service provided.
...
1 reply by Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
Dec 18, 2024 5:18 PM
Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
...
Hi Veronica,
Since January 2023, I’ve been using AI solutions extensively, and today I rely on various tools available for almost every aspect of my work. However, one thing I’ve realized through this experience is that AI hasn’t made me a better project manager than I was before—what it has done is save me time, especially with repetitive tasks.
What stands out to me is the risk of AI creating a FOMO (fear of missing out) effect, where we end up in a constant search for the perfect tool, losing sight of what truly matters: delivering projects that add value to our clients.
I completely agree with you—before adopting any solution, we need to strategically analyze how this technology can benefit the organization and its processes, ensuring that its application aligns with business goals. After all, the value we deliver doesn’t solely depend on the tools we use, but on how we integrate them into the real needs of our projects and stakeholders.
Thank you for sharing such an important perspective, Veronica!
Wellington,
I generally agree with your premise but would call the "either fully embrace or only use what provides direct value" a false dilemma. There is a middle ground where the strategic goal is testing out new AI capabilities as part of a project in order to understand their benefits and limitations on a small scale before inflicting them on everyone.
I complain regularly about some very clumsy tools that we have decided to try out in my current project. I also accept that while my focus is on developing new technology for our products, others are developing new tools for our office as their focus. Our inconvenience is their user feedback.
Keith
...
1 reply by Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
Dec 18, 2024 5:28 PM
Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
...
font _mstmutation="1"Hi Keith/font
I completely agree that there is an important middle ground in adopting new AI technologies, and your idea of testing tools on a small scale as part of a project is both practical and thoughtful.
I’d consider myself an AI enthusiast in many ways, but after almost two years of using these tools extensively, I’ve realized a few key things. Beyond having smart chatbots or, as I like to call them, “clever little helpers” that summarize content, answer questions about topics we barely understand, and create workflows to automate our routines, AI won’t solve all our problems.
We’ll still need to deal with our teams, communicate with clients and stakeholders, and, most importantly, take responsibility when something goes wrong in a project. We won’t be able to just say, “Oh, ChatGPT did that.” And that’s where my concern lies: the risk of losing focus on what truly matters.
We can’t possibly keep up with every technological advancement. That’s why I believe we need to focus on what works for us, integrate AI strategically, and continue doing what we, as project managers, do best: leading, communicating, and delivering real value to our clients.
AI's growth offers exciting opportunities, but it’s vital to focus on tools that truly enhance our work. By aligning AI with our goals and values, we can ensure it supports efficiency and better decision-making while staying true to core leadership principles.
...
1 reply by Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
Dec 18, 2024 5:30 PM
Wellinghton Pereira Barboza
...
Pavan, I completely agree that AI's growth brings exciting opportunities. However, I believe the biggest challenge is aligning these tools with our goals and values. Ultimately, AI should enhance our efficiency and decision-making, without straying from core leadership principles. Are we using AI to amplify our abilities, or just following a technological trend?
Thanks for bringing up such an important topic! I believe we should definitely embrace the advancements in AI but with a thoughtful approach.
It’s all about finding the right balance—leveraging AI to enhance our work while staying true to the core principles of project management.
By focusing on what truly adds value, we can ensure that we’re using AI to make our processes more efficient without getting overwhelmed.
Let’s keep the conversation going, Wellington!
Best,
Golam
Hi Golam,
I really appreciate your perspective, and I couldn't agree more! We share the same belief: focus on what truly adds value to our projects.
A project manager spends 90% of their time communicating, and that’s something AI still doesn’t do well. While AI can streamline processes, analyze data, and automate routine tasks, it doesn’t replace the human touch required to manage expectations, align stakeholders, and deliver on promises.
I firmly believe that PMs who don’t learn to leverage AI will be left behind. This isn’t just a trend—it’s the present. However, I also feel we need to be careful not to lose focus. What makes us great project managers isn’t just the ability to write good prompts; it’s our capacity to communicate effectively, keep projects on schedule and budget, and deliver the expected benefits.
AI is an ally, but it’s up to us to lead the project, guide the team, and drive success.
AI advances must be strategically applied to our company. This means that we must do a prior analysis, taking into account the areas that can be benefited, the processes to be intervened with the application of AI, carrying out pilot tests that guarantee the desired results, and also taking into account the budget to be implemented. be spent on the implementation of these technological advances. A good prior analysis will guarantee that the inclusion of these new advances is truly beneficial for the organization.
Including a new AI technology just because it is fashionable or has recently appeared will not necessarily benefit the company or generate more value for the product or service provided.
Hi Veronica,
Since January 2023, I’ve been using AI solutions extensively, and today I rely on various tools available for almost every aspect of my work. However, one thing I’ve realized through this experience is that AI hasn’t made me a better project manager than I was before—what it has done is save me time, especially with repetitive tasks.
What stands out to me is the risk of AI creating a FOMO (fear of missing out) effect, where we end up in a constant search for the perfect tool, losing sight of what truly matters: delivering projects that add value to our clients.
I completely agree with you—before adopting any solution, we need to strategically analyze how this technology can benefit the organization and its processes, ensuring that its application aligns with business goals. After all, the value we deliver doesn’t solely depend on the tools we use, but on how we integrate them into the real needs of our projects and stakeholders.
Thank you for sharing such an important perspective, Veronica!
Wellington,
I generally agree with your premise but would call the "either fully embrace or only use what provides direct value" a false dilemma. There is a middle ground where the strategic goal is testing out new AI capabilities as part of a project in order to understand their benefits and limitations on a small scale before inflicting them on everyone.
I complain regularly about some very clumsy tools that we have decided to try out in my current project. I also accept that while my focus is on developing new technology for our products, others are developing new tools for our office as their focus. Our inconvenience is their user feedback.
Keith
font _mstmutation="1"Hi Keith/font
I completely agree that there is an important middle ground in adopting new AI technologies, and your idea of testing tools on a small scale as part of a project is both practical and thoughtful.
I’d consider myself an AI enthusiast in many ways, but after almost two years of using these tools extensively, I’ve realized a few key things. Beyond having smart chatbots or, as I like to call them, “clever little helpers” that summarize content, answer questions about topics we barely understand, and create workflows to automate our routines, AI won’t solve all our problems.
We’ll still need to deal with our teams, communicate with clients and stakeholders, and, most importantly, take responsibility when something goes wrong in a project. We won’t be able to just say, “Oh, ChatGPT did that.” And that’s where my concern lies: the risk of losing focus on what truly matters.
We can’t possibly keep up with every technological advancement. That’s why I believe we need to focus on what works for us, integrate AI strategically, and continue doing what we, as project managers, do best: leading, communicating, and delivering real value to our clients.
AI's growth offers exciting opportunities, but it’s vital to focus on tools that truly enhance our work. By aligning AI with our goals and values, we can ensure it supports efficiency and better decision-making while staying true to core leadership principles.
Pavan, I completely agree that AI's growth brings exciting opportunities. However, I believe the biggest challenge is aligning these tools with our goals and values. Ultimately, AI should enhance our efficiency and decision-making, without straying from core leadership principles. Are we using AI to amplify our abilities, or just following a technological trend? Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
AI is not evolved at unprecedent pace. Generative AI is evolving at unprecedent pace. Ai is a board term. As always, we need to focus on what matters except you like to make something extra. For example, in my case, I am using AI from 1989 in the practice and in the research. I am researching on simulating human consciousness with AI to apply it in epigenetic, in the last time with the help of quantum computing. Saving Changes...
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