Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way we manage projects and portfolios. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and deep learning techniques, AI is enabling project managers to make more informed decisions and improve project outcomes.

How is AI used in project portfolio management (PPM)?  

AI is being used in portfolio management in an increasing number of ways, as is generally the trend with artificial intelligence having further developments every day!    

Resource allocation

AI can help companies identify the most suitable team members for specific tasks, based on their skillsets and availability. AI can also be used to optimise resource allocation in real-time, based on changing project requirements or unexpected events. For example, if a project task takes longer than expected, AI can automatically adjust resource allocations to ensure that the project remains on track.  

Risk assessment

By analysing historical data and patterns, the deep learning capabilities of artificial intelligence allows for algorithms to predict project outcomes and identify potential issues before they occur. This enables project managers to proactively address issues and improve project success rates.

Forecasting

AI can be used to improve forecasting in project management by analysing large amounts of data and identifying patterns and trends that might not be immediately apparent to human project managers. AI algorithms can use historical data to make predictions about future project outcomes, identify potential risks, and provide insights to help project managers make more informed decisions.  

Task automation

AI is also changing project management by automating repetitive tasks and improving efficiency. By leveraging natural language processing and machine learning, AI-powered chatbots can answer common questions and perform routine tasks, freeing up project managers to focus on more strategic initiatives.

How is AI changing project management?  

AI is having a huge impact on every industry and role, and project management is no different! In an article by the Harvard Business Review, it’s argued that AI will revolutionise project management by enabling a more data-driven approach to project management. By allowing for better resource allocation, improved risk assessment, and more accurate project forecasting, it will provide efficiency and boost productivity in project management.  

Artificial intelligence can wade through mountains of data and understand it much quicker than a human. The efficiency, and not to mention accuracy, that AI can perform data analysis with enables project managers to make data-driven decisions more quickly, improving project outcomes, and reducing risks. AI-powered tools are also enabling project managers to scale their operations and manage more complex portfolios, improving overall organisational efficiency.  

Will project managers be replaced by AI?

While AI is transforming project management, we still need project managers. AI can provide valuable insights and automate routine tasks, but it’s an intelligence that’s best used in combination with a human project manager. A project manager still brings the element of critical thinking and decision making into their daily roles, and let’s not forget that all important stakeholder management! We know that technology can help to automate communications with stakeholders to make the process more efficient, but effective communication throughout a project is about more than just clear and concise text – it’s also about relationship building. It’s also worth noting that human intuition and judgement are critical to project success, something which AI is unable to overtake.    

There’s no denying the tremendous value that AI can bring to a project manager and working in combination can truly set an organisation up for success. The use of AI can ultimately allow project managers to focus on more strategic tasks, while still maintaining a hands-on approach to project delivery. For example, deep learning AI can use image recognition in construction project management. Deep learning algorithms can analyse images of construction sites to identify potential safety hazards, track progress, and identify issues. This enables project managers to proactively address issues and improve safety outcomes. The intelligence aids project managers in their efficiency to be able to deal with issues which they would have seen themselves but would have taken a lot longer without the use of deep learning solutions.  

Does AI replace PPM software?

While AI brings significant improvements to project management, much like project managers, it doesn’t negate the need for, or replace, project portfolio management (PPM) software. AI is just one component of PPM software, which also includes other features like project planning, resource management, and collaboration tools.

PPM software provides a comprehensive framework for managing projects, programs, and portfolios. Helping organisations to align projects with strategic goals, prioritise projects, and optimise resource allocation, PPM software also provides insights into project performance. It is from the data-capturing and data organisation ability of PPM software that an AI tool can aid in identifying areas for improvement, or with the real-time data that potential issues can be identified earlier on in the process. For example, AI can analyse large amounts of data to identify trends, predict project outcomes, and recommend solutions, but a project manager still needs to create their project plan, house all of that information in accordance with their organisation’s governance plans in a centralised location.  

PPM software provides the structure and processes necessary to manage projects effectively, while AI provides the advanced analytics needed to extract insights from project data.

Drop us a message today and let us help you organisation.