Five Reasons Why AI is Not a Replacement for Project Managers [It is a tool].

AI is one of the most talked about advancements, and everyone has an opinion on the future.  Today, I want to dive in on what has been on my mind regarding the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in project management. There’s been heaps of buzz around AI taking over jobs across various industries, and project management is no exception. However, I firmly believe AI is here to boost our capabilities as project managers, NOT replace us. In this blog post, I will explain, from my perspective, why AI will be a powerful tool to make project managers more efficient and practical but not obsolete.

1. Human intuition and creativity cannot be replicated

AI has come a long way in recent years, actually recent months… but there’s one aspect that it simply cannot replicate: human intuition and creativity. Project managers can think outside the box, develop innovative solutions, and adapt to unexpected challenges. While AI can help automate tasks and analyze data, it cannot generate creative ideas or make judgment calls based on experience and intuition.

It is also critical to note that project managers must often navigate intricate interpersonal relationships among stakeholders. This requires empathy, understanding, and the ability to manage emotions – qualities distinctly human and impossible for AI to emulate. Due to this, anyone who says that AI will take on more than half of a PM’s role needs to re-evaluate their competence.

• AI has no emotional or social awareness to engage stakeholders.

• AI is unable to drive collaboration

• AI is incapable of using Communication skills that connect hearts and minds

These three abilities are what separate a task manager from a project manager.

2. AI is designed to augment human decision-making

One of the main goals of AI is to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. In project management, AI can automate repetitive tasks, analyze large amounts of data, and provide insights that would otherwise be impossible for humans to discern. This enables project managers to focus on more strategic and high-level aspects of their job, such as building relationships, crafting innovative solutions, and driving overall project success.

For instance, AI-powered tools can help project managers identify trends and patterns in project performance data which can be used to optimize processes and improve efficiency. Additionally, AI can assist in resource allocation and scheduling by analyzing historical data and predicting future needs. These capabilities allow project managers to make more informed decisions and allocate their time and energy to areas where they can have the most significant impact.

3. Collaboration between humans and AI leads to better outcomes

The future of project management lies in the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. By combining the strengths of both entities, project managers can achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

Picture this scenario: A project manager is faced with a tight deadline and limited resources. They use AI-powered tools to analyze past project data, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimize the allocation of resources. Meanwhile, the project manager focuses on fostering a positive team culture, addressing any interpersonal issues, and ensuring that everyone is aligned with the project objectives. In this scenario, the collaboration between human intuition and AI-driven analysis allows the project to be completed more efficiently and effectively than either could achieve alone.

4. Adaptability and continuous learning are key in project management

The world of project management is constantly evolving, and project managers must adapt to new methodologies, technologies, and industry trends. This adaptability and continuous learning are what set successful project managers apart from the rest. While AI can certainly help project managers stay informed and make data-driven decisions, it cannot replace the human ability to learn, adapt, and grow.

Furthermore, project managers need to understand the implications of AI and other emerging technologies on their projects and the industry as a whole. By staying on top of these developments and integrating them into their workflows, project managers can ensure that they remain relevant and valuable in an increasingly tech-driven world.

I can recall the time when MS Project and later Project Server first made their debuts (I never dabbled with the early DOS versions). There was a lot of hype surrounding it, claiming that it would be a miraculous tool that would make a project manager’s life significantly easier, thanks to the collaborative suite of tools it offered. In some ways, it did live up to those expectations, but at the same time, it introduced new levels of complexity as more was expected due to this advanced suite of tools (and that’s when it functioned smoothly). I see AI as the 2020’s equivalent of that experience.

5. AI will create new opportunities for project managers

As AI continues to advance, it will undoubtedly change the landscape of project management. However, rather than eliminating the need for project managers, these changes will create new opportunities for people who are willing to embrace AI and leverage its capabilities.

For example, as AI automates more routine tasks, project managers may find themselves taking on more strategic roles within their organizations. [Note: we are headed there anyway but that is for another post]

Jumping off my soapbox

AI has the potential to revolutionize the world of project management, but it’s important to remember that it’s here to assist, not replace us. By understanding the role of AI as a powerful tool that complements our human abilities, we can harness its potential to make us more efficient and effective project managers. But to be clear, we are here to stay.