The role of project managers has been the center of countless successful initiatives. Every new product, every new campaign has had a project manager overseeing every small detail—from A to Z.
They are the glue that holds everything together, ensuring that every piece of the puzzle fits perfectly. However, things might be changing with the introduction of AI project managers.
By 2030, AI for project management is expected to perform 80% of project tasks.
With AI for project management rapidly integrating into companies, the traditional role of a project manager is evolving—and, in many cases, diminishing.
The question now arises—what does it mean for project managers?
The Evolution of Project Management
When I first started in project management over 25 years ago in Silicon Valley, the landscape was vastly different. Back then, project managers were seen as the critical drivers of success.
We were responsible for every detail, from planning and execution to tracking progress and mitigating risks. The role was hands-on, requiring a deep understanding of the project and its objectives.
But as technology advanced, so did project management tools available to us. The tools we use today enable us to manage projects with greater efficiency.
Yet, despite these advancements, I believe that the core of project management has remained largely the same.
“We, the project managers, are still the backbone of project delivery, orchestrating every aspect of the project—but now, with the assistance of AI for project management.“
IDRIS MANLEY, CO-FOUNDER OF INTRALIGN
The rise of artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming project management and introducing AI project managers.
This shift is making project management more accessible to a wider range of professionals, reducing the need for a dedicated project manager.
The Changing Role of the Project Manager
So, what does this mean for the project manager? In short, it means adaptation is necessary.
AI is not just a tool; it’s the future of project management. As a co-founder and former project manager, I was impressed to see how much of our users’ work was automated with Intralign’s AI project management tool.
It automates tasks that once required hours of manual effort and human oversight, from scheduling and resource allocation to risk management and reporting.
I’ve also observed how leading work and task management tool vendors have long-prioritized features that increase simplicity, ease of use, and collaboration for project teams and hybrid project owner roles—those who may not have a formal background in project management but still need to manage projects effectively.
The rise of accessible project management has come at the expense of traditional or dedicated PM roles, making room for hybrid role project professionals or AI project managers.
From Centralized Control to People-Centered Results
With the decentralization of the project manager’s role, the conventional approach to management is changing, too.
Instead of a centralized figure, the agile-focused project manager’s responsibilities are more distributed, with teams taking on greater responsibility.
Similarly, the growing adoption of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) is shifting the focus from traditional project management-driven outcomes to people-led performance-driven outcomes.
While project, program, and portfolio managers once led outcome-oriented initiatives, they are increasingly sidelined as other professionals in HR/People Operations or General Operations take the lead.
The Future of Project Management & AI Project Managers
So, what does the future hold for project managers? While it’s clear that the role is changing, I believe, as the founder of intralign.chriskelechukwu.com/, there will always be a need for skilled project management professionals.
The nature of the role will simply transition over time to AI project managers.
As project managers, we need to embrace AI project management and other technological advancements to stay competitive and aligned with the industry.
This means developing new skills, such as AI-driven data analysis and decision-making, for a more strategic approach to project management and role development into AI project managers.
The days of traditional project managers may be fading, but it isn’t disappearing. Instead, it is shifting into something new—an AI project manager role with more efficiency and AI-driven solutions.
Hence, it’s imperative to adapt to the new circumstances and embrace the opportunities they bring.
Embracing The Future
“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates
The role of the project manager is rapidly transforming into an AI project manager, driven by technological advancements. While this may seem daunting, it also presents an exciting opportunity for those willing to adapt and embrace the future.
As someone who has spent almost three decades in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of these changes. I’ve learned that the key to success in this new landscape is to stay ahead of the curve, continuously learning and evolving with the industry.
For project managers, the future is bright—but only if we are willing to change with it. By embracing AI, adopting new tools and methodologies, and focusing on strategic alignment, we can continue to play a critical role in the success of our projects and our organizations.
Get ahead of the curve by signing up for Intralign, the first AI-enabled project planning tool, and stay at the forefront of innovation in the field.