Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
I frequently encounter questions about how to integrate AI into project management. While I recommend starting with the basics and then diving into generative AI, I'm curious to hear other perspectives. What's your approach to introducing AI to project managers? Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Good question. First, define clear rules about how AI is to be used within project management - otherwise people will use AI in all manner of ways, many of which won't be realized until problems occur.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Feb 25, 2025 7:48 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Great point Eric! Setting clear guidelines is crucial to avoid unintended issues. Once those rules are in place, what do you think should be the next step in integrating AI effectively into project management?
Regards! Francisco.
I'd suggest as Eric has indicated start with some appropriate use guidelines, ideally an organization policy. Then, provide some basic training on the dos & don'ts. And then, let the PMs experiment and see what works well for them and what doesn't.
Kiron
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Feb 28, 2025 7:37 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Kiron, Thanks for confirming the approach I will, Regards!
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Francisco, to add to my colleague's feedback, you can also have them go through PMIs four AI related courses which are totally free for members.
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2 replies by Francisco Herrera and Zakaria Botros
Jan 15, 2025 1:50 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Wow there are now 4! I'm behind! thanks for the tip Rami!
Feb 26, 2025 12:02 PM
Zakaria Botros
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Great point, Rami, thanks for sharing.
I'd like to list the 4 courses here for those who might be interested:
1. Generative AI Overview for Project Managers
2. Data Landscape of GenAI for Project Managers
3. Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for Project Managers
4. Practical Application of Generative AI for Project Managers
Introducing AI to Project Managers: A Strategic Approach
Assess Needs: Identify where AI can add value, like predictive analytics for risk management and automated task scheduling.
Educate and Train: Provide training to build a foundational understanding of AI.
Pilot Projects: Start with small-scale projects to gather feedback and demonstrate effectiveness.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between project managers, data scientists, and IT teams.
Integrate Tools: Ensure AI tools integrate seamlessly with current project management tools.
Communicate Benefits: Highlight how AI can improve efficiency, decision-making, and risk management.
Human Oversight: Establish processes for human oversight to review AI-generated recommendations.
Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor and evaluate AI solutions to ensure they deliver value.
Conclusion: Following these steps helps organizations effectively introduce AI to project managers and enhance project management practices.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Jan 22, 2025 6:57 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Balaj thanks for sharing this valuable information.
I’d appreciate a better understanding, the outlined content is a course syllabus, a strategic framework, or something else? The structure and topics are intriguing!
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Jan 22, 2025 12:57 AM
Replying to Balaji S
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Introducing AI to Project Managers: A Strategic Approach
Assess Needs: Identify where AI can add value, like predictive analytics for risk management and automated task scheduling.
Educate and Train: Provide training to build a foundational understanding of AI.
Pilot Projects: Start with small-scale projects to gather feedback and demonstrate effectiveness.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between project managers, data scientists, and IT teams.
Integrate Tools: Ensure AI tools integrate seamlessly with current project management tools.
Communicate Benefits: Highlight how AI can improve efficiency, decision-making, and risk management.
Human Oversight: Establish processes for human oversight to review AI-generated recommendations.
Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor and evaluate AI solutions to ensure they deliver value.
Conclusion: Following these steps helps organizations effectively introduce AI to project managers and enhance project management practices.
Balaj thanks for sharing this valuable information.
I’d appreciate a better understanding, the outlined content is a course syllabus, a strategic framework, or something else? The structure and topics are intriguing!
Thanks for sharing!
Saving Changes...
Diego De la CruzStrategic project manager| Polyval & Physio SoinsPalezieux, Vaud, Switzerland
Francisco, I might start better by understanding the expectations of the intended audience (or yours).
As any tool, AI must be carefully evaluated. First major risk, AI is a general term used for very diverse things and you have to choose the good scope and related tools. Second major risk, there is a lot of hype regarding AI; therefore expectations are usually quite high.
In the last couple of years, the generative AI tools is what people consider AI: that may be enough in many cases... however going further to master the "prompt engineering" is an endeavor in itself.
In other organizations, one may look for data/process-mining/ML so historical data is fed automatically. In other cases, an expert system (a wizard, to simplify) that may speed up the project launch phase, for example.
It is better to be specific and then define the scope so you can avoid misunderstanding and then missing the target. I guess you are more interested on Generative AI, even if you open the question to all AI.
After my postgrade studies on AI, I have been working episodically with/on it for the last 20+ years so I might be a bit too biased. Anyway, I hope I might be of help if you give us a more precise definition of your expectations.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Feb 28, 2025 8:39 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Diego, that’s a great point! AI covers a broad spectrum, so defining the scope is key. Given its rapid adoption, generative AI seems to have the most immediate applications, so I’d start there. Of course, understanding how it differs from other AI types (ML, expert systems, etc.) is just as important.
Curious to hear your thoughts—where do you see the biggest impact in project management?
Best Regards,
Francisco
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
We are using AI in project management from more than 30 years ago. Most of the times we are not aware on that. I can say that because I worked in the top companies which creates products and services related to portfolio/program/project management. The break was when the new model of generative AI was published in 2017. From that time, we need to understand that portfolio/program/project manager roles, between others, "are dead" as they are defined originally. Related to generative AI the PMI has published great courses you can do for free. I think that when those courses are done you will find the new era for those roles to be performed.
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1 reply by Francisco Herrera
Feb 25, 2025 5:17 PM
Francisco Herrera
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Sergio Luis totally agree, AI has been shaping project management since before!, even if we didn’t always recognize it. The shift with generative AI is definitely a game-changer. After taking those PMI courses, what do you think is the next step for PMs to stay ahead in this new era?
great question! Starting with the basics is a great approach! I believe introducing AI through simple, practical use cases—like automating reports or risk analysis—helps project managers see its value early on. Gradually expanding to generative AI ensures a smoother transition.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Feb 25, 2025 8:58 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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We are using AI in project management from more than 30 years ago. Most of the times we are not aware on that. I can say that because I worked in the top companies which creates products and services related to portfolio/program/project management. The break was when the new model of generative AI was published in 2017. From that time, we need to understand that portfolio/program/project manager roles, between others, "are dead" as they are defined originally. Related to generative AI the PMI has published great courses you can do for free. I think that when those courses are done you will find the new era for those roles to be performed.
Sergio Luis totally agree, AI has been shaping project management since before!, even if we didn’t always recognize it. The shift with generative AI is definitely a game-changer. After taking those PMI courses, what do you think is the next step for PMs to stay ahead in this new era? Saving Changes...
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