Project management on a higher level, might look like it has a limited scope of work, but in recent times, this trend is seen to be changing. Project managers cater to multiple tasks simultaneously and understand new practices to better meet requirements. From embracing new tools to the adoption of new practices on an organizational level, there are many things involved in project management today.
However, with innovations, managing projects is becoming easier as well and these changes have also helped improve the way project managers work. Nowadays, many tools reduce workloads and better help project managers streamline operations when it comes to project delivery. However, the trends of project management are experiencing a shift to meet the requirements of today’s business world.
If you are a project manager or are considering becoming one, below are 5 emerging trends within the project management career path.
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Opting for the Latest Tools and Technologies
Projects are now swiftly being managed through new tools and technologies. Technology evolves continuously and with each passing day, we can find new software and tools. Opting for these tools allows project managers to do more in lesser time. For instance, opting for a Go package manager helps technical project managers consistently remove and update dependencies in software projects.
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Using Artificial Intelligence
Another practice that is being adopted when it comes to project management these days is the use of artificial intelligence. AI tools are now able to scan large data sets instantaneously as opposed to a project manager doing the same over a course of hours.
However, scanning data sets isn’t all the work AI can do for a project manager. A project, from inception to delivery involves a lot of planning, development, and deployment. And AI tools are helping project managers do just that. The possibilities are indeed limitless with AI as there are tools present to help with resource planning, risk management, and even project planning. For instance, AI tools can instantly showcase project dependencies or even raise alerts when any variable of a project is at risk. Many project managers are now also focusing on DevOps automations to save the time of their developers and it’s all becoming possible only with the adoption of artificial intelligence.
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Planning Resources Effectively
Resource planning is becoming more and more important with every passing day. And it’s happening for all the right reasons. Today’s digital economy does bring a lot of benefits, but with it, it also brings a variety of limitations. Resources are indeed limited. People and funds are stretched out too thin, and projects are becoming more complicated with too many variables.
Project managers these days realize this. Additionally, they also realize that they’re working against time to ensure projects are done efficiently. That too with teams scattered in different locations around the world. At such a time, it’s of paramount importance to ensure that roles are properly defined, man-hours are well-calculated, and bottlenecks are removed. There are many technological advancements that are helping project managers do this; new project management tools are a great example.
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Change Management Is Being Prioritized
The world is now changing at a very accelerated pace and organizations are experiencing swift changes when it comes to the adoption of technology, new policies, or even creating something innovative.
Project managers apart from looking at projects in isolation are also now placing focus on building operational procedures with other departments within an organization because they’re beginning to act as bridges between technical and management teams. Organizations are placing focus on adaptability to change in order to remain competitive in today’s world, and project managers are playing a critical role in this regard. As a matter of fact, change management in a lot of cases, is considered an internal project within many organizations.
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Shifting Focus To the Benefits of Results
An emerging trend in almost every field is focusing on the benefits of results. Previously people worked simply just to produce results, but now, just meeting deadlines or completing a project isn’t enough.
There is a massive need to identify a project’s benefits. And approaches like befits realization management, outcome-based performance metrics, and agile methodologies are being prioritized. This is to ensure that projects are not just being completed, but are also bringing the value and benefits they are envisioned to bring. The benefits of results are also what project managers are now using to measure project performance, as opposed to task delivery in previous years.
Organizations are now focusing on how to excel strategically as opposed to just placing focus on unique selling propositions and core competencies. Project management is at the center of this new adoption, and project managers are indeed contributing in more ways than just managing the technical side of projects.