The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and project management (PM) is revolutionizing how organizations initiate and execute information technology software and infrastructure improvements. This integration is creating virtually unlimited opportunities to drive innovation, optimize processes and accelerate data-driven decision-making.
Organizations taking advantage of those opportunities require leaders with project management knowledge and expertise in computer information systems. The Master of Science (M.S.) Management Information Systems (MIS) with IT Project Management Certificate online program offered by the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) prepares graduates for roles that bridge technology and business management.
How Is AI Influencing Project Management Work?
Generative AI (GenAI) is rewriting the fundamentals of information technology project management by providing leaders with processes that enhance efficiency, accuracy and decision-making. Improvements in those key capabilities increase the likelihood of bringing projects in on time and on budget.
For instance, AI-powered PM tools can automate many time-consuming administrative tasks, such as scheduling meetings, generating reports and updating project status. This allows project managers to focus on more strategic activities that require human insight and decision-making. Gartner predicts 80% of project management tasks will be completed by AI-powered software by 2030.
“GenAI’s ability to process vast amounts of data and create connections opens doors to creativity. It visualizes insights, sparking new ideas and perspectives. Moreover, by frequent use, it trains us to think creatively, to see beyond boundaries and to innovate effortlessly,” the Project Management Institute states.
Additionally, AI-driven analytics enable PMs to optimize resource allocation. By analyzing historical project data, team members’ performance and project demands, leaders have greater confidence in selecting the right people and assigning them to the right task, which improves overall efficiency.
Predictive analytics are also a core component of managing project risks. AI analyses of past projects enable leaders to predict project risks with greater certainty and proactively develop strategies to avoid them.
AI-enhanced dashboards also provide PMs real-time insights into key performance indicators (KPIs). These visualizations can be accessed on mobile devices, allowing managers to make data-driven decisions and keep stakeholders informed.
What Are Some Examples of AI-driven Project Management Software?
Current AI-powered project management software includes tools for task automation, predictive analytics and resource optimization. Among the dozen most popular brands are Asana, Forecast and Predictor:
- Asana uses AI algorithms to tailor workflows based on past data, improving efficiency and reducing project setup time, task assignment and tracking and performance analysis.
- Forecast integrates project, resource and budget management in a unified platform that can predict outcomes and suggest optimizations.
- Predictor uses machine learning processes to analyze potential projects’ likelihood of success, enabling leaders to make informed, strategic decisions to initiate or delay work.
These examples showcase the power of AI to help humans, not substitute them. “Folks on the leading edge of using AI in project management share a common similar sentiment: AI replaces tasks, not people,” according to Digital Project Manager.
How Do Project Management Professionals Prepare for Roles in AI-driven Environment?
Harvard Business Review notes that AI-powered project management may give professionals the jitters about being replaced. However, it goes on, “Project managers will not be going away, but they will need to embrace these changes and take advantage of the new technologies.”
In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a strong demand for project management specialists. It forecasts a 7% growth rate for project management specialists through 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, as organizations create an estimated 70,000 jobs in the period. The accredited UIS M.S. MIS with Project Management Certification program positions graduates to future-proof their careers through an online curriculum that emphasizes the following:
- Enhancing project and change management skills for IT initiatives
- Mastering project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, risk and procurement management
- Applying decision analysis concepts to information systems design
- Aligning information systems with organizational goals
- Developing core skills in information systems, databases and networking
- Designing and managing databases for efficient data handling
AI is impacting nearly every industry and business function — especially project management. The comprehensive curriculum combines traditional project management skills with cutting-edge AI and data analytics knowledge to equip students for leadership roles in AI-powered project management roles.
Learn more about UIS’s online M.S. MIS with IT Project Management Certificate program.
