Adapting to the Future of Project Management: Skills, Trends, and the Human Element

THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE- IT’S JUST NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED YET.

Said William Gibson, the pioneer of the cyberpunk Sci-Fi subgenre. Looking at the facts these days, he just might be right. What is new for some in 2023 is already the ancient history for others. This is why is very hard to write down my thoughts on project management’s future.?

Having in mind all that, I tried to be as general as I can when talking about changes in the future of PM.

One thing will not change, though.?

Project managers will still have to possess the widest variety of skills - from technical knowledge to leadership skills. They will have to continue having an open mind about new ideas and be flexible and quick to adapt to change.

Change just like the next big thing: THE BUSINESS IS GOING SOFT.

Just look at the next few trends that are getting closer by the day:

• The health and well-being are becoming main priorities pretty quickly.

Considering how stressful a position of project manager is, this is an important issue for the sector. The tendency goes in direction of fewer hours but more efficiency. And that goes for everybody, not only PMs.

• The growing importance of the emotional skills.?

Employers will start appreciating a high level of emotional intelligence at their employees. When it comes to “taming” the team, this skill should never be undervalued. The perfect team synchronizing requires nothing less than someone very much in tune with how other people are feeling.

• Social responsibility and accountability matter more.

More and more companies are trending doing business with a socially and ethically responsible organizations only. This means that all socially responsible requirements, tax and reporting requirements, environmental requirements, legal requirements, and legislative requirements are in order.

• More attention will be given to specialist team members.

When a PM expects a high-level quality, he always turns to specialists, rather than all-rounders (a person who has many different types of skills and abilities). All you all-rounders, don’t get me wrong, not much could be done without your efficient hard-work. The thing is that some processes and project phases require an expert in specific areas. Besides, when the knowledge and experience are on your side, it gets so much easier to think outside the box. And that is precisely what future will demand of all of us: to think differently, unconventionally, and from a new perspective.?

• The tool revolution!

The tools that are assisting business with project management are getting more and more integrated. The perfect balance between classic and agile approach is very much demanded these days. Also, the tool ability to adapt to any industry and any working modus is standing very high on a demand list.?

Nothing will be the same anymore, right? Well, in my opinion, it shouldn’t be the same. These novelties are bringing in what we tend to overlook and even ignore: the touch of humanity. After all, every company is people. Nothing more and nothing less.

However, one thing will remain pretty much the same. Emphasized even: the ability of every project manager to adapt and first respond when things shift, adjusting plans and expectations, while at the same time, he constantly watches for drawbacks and risks on the horizon.