Is AI in Project Management nice to have or a must in 2023?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a big deal in project management. It mimics how people think and has improved the traditional ways of doing things, making tricky tasks more straightforward and efficient. But AI isn't the same as going digital. When businesses turn paper into digital files, improve their storage, connect better with technology, or…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a big deal in project management. It mimics how people think and has improved the traditional ways of doing things, making tricky tasks more straightforward and efficient.
But AI isn’t the same as going digital. When businesses turn paper into digital files, improve their storage, connect better with technology, or use software to boost their production, that’s called digitalization. It’s pretty much essential for businesses to grow and work better. On the other hand, while AI is excellent for automating and simplifying tough tasks, not every business sees it as a must-have yet. In fact, some are still trying to figure out how to use AI effectively.
Right now, AI is viewed as a helper for digital processes, especially when dealing with a lot of data and repetitive tasks. Gartner research said 80% of our today’s tasks will be eliminated by 2030. Although AI won’t fully replace people, a person using AI will have an edge over someone who doesn’t.
Let’s explore the practical benefits of incorporating AI into various project management fields.
1. Planning & Scheduling:
One of the key areas where AI excels is in automating and optimizing task scheduling. By analyzing various parameters such as resource availability, deadlines, and task dependencies, AI can suggest the most efficient timeframes for completing tasks and allocate them accordingly. An example of this is Clarizen, which utilizes AI to enhance scheduling, but it is not the only platform in this area.
2. Risk Management:
Every project involves a certain level of risk. With AI’s predictive analytics, project managers can forecast potential risks by analyzing historical data, market trends, and project variables. By identifying patterns, AI can suggest mitigation strategies to prevent these risks from materializing. Riskturn is an AI-powered tool that aids project managers in anticipating and navigating potential pitfalls.
3. Contract Management:
Contracts are an integral part of project management, and AI can streamline the process of reviewing and managing these documents. By automatically scanning contracts for anomalies, ensuring compliance, and predicting potential contractual conflicts, AI saves time and reduces human error. Kira is a powerful AI-driven tool that accelerates contract review and Legly as well.
4. Productivity & Data Analysis:
With AI-driven analytics tools, project managers can monitor team performance in real time. By evaluating metrics such as task completion rates, quality of output, and response times, AI provides valuable insights into workforce efficiency and highlights areas for improvement.
To ensure that AI serves its intended purpose, consider the following:
- Understand the Need: AI should be viewed as a tool to address specific challenges. It is essential to identify what you need from AI – is it risk prediction? Task optimization? Once identified, integrate AI accordingly.
- Training & Onboarding: Like any tool, AI systems require training and understanding. It is crucial to ensure that your team is trained and comfortable with AI functionalities before implementing it into your project management processes.
- Review and Adapt: AI tools learn and adapt over time. Therefore, it is essential to regularly review AI suggestions, inputs, and processes to ensure alignment with project objectives.
In conclusion,
while AI holds immense potential for transforming project management, it is crucial to incorporate it judiciously. Instead of using AI as a trend, use it because it simplifies and elevates the work process.