Is AI in Project Management Enhancing Leadership or Replacing It?

When people talk about AI and project management, it's easy to think we're heading into an era where the tools will do everything for us - scheduling, tracking, and decision-making. But here's the truth - while AI is incredible at speeding things up and offering insights, it's not the leader; that's still you.

AI isn't about replacing judgment, intuition, or decision-making. It's about supporting those skills, handling the repetitive stuff, and helping highlight patterns you might have missed. It's an accelerator, not the engine. The challenge is making sure AI works for you without creating its own problems along the way. To put all your trust in AI is a slippery slope! So let's break down how to make AI a valuable part of your toolkit.

Automate The Admin, Focus on Strategy

Think about how much of your day is consumed by repetitive admin tasks like chasing updates, building reports, and tweaking schedules. It's draining and, frankly, not where your leadership adds the most value.

This is where AI really helps. With tools like Smartsheet or Monday.com, you can automate dashboards, flag scheduling issues, and generate reports in real-time. Suddenly, instead of slogging through spreadsheets, you've got the headspace to think strategically and focus on your team.

A McKinsey study estimates that by 2030, about 30% of work hours could be automated. You could reclaim many hours to tackle tricky leadership moments, solve big problems, and drive the vision - key things that define your leadership. So pick a time-consuming task, like reporting or scheduling, and experiment with automation. Start small, measure the impact, and build from there.

Better Forecasts, Fewer Blind Spots

Forecasting is always a mix of data and gut instinct. Even with great tools, there's always that one unexpected twist - a sudden risk, a stakeholder curveball. AI can't predict everything, but it can give you a clearer view of what's likely to happen.

For example, tools like Jira Align can spot patterns from past projects, flagging areas where delays are common. They can even simulate different scenarios based on resource configurations. Quality data is critical for drawing the right conclusions. It's not just any data, but the right data, well-structured and relevant. Remember, AI doesn't have the full context. It doesn't know about internal politics or the stakeholders who always disrupt the plan. That's why your leadership matters. Treat AI as a trusted advisor, not a decision-maker. The data informs your decisions, but your judgment confirms the way forward.

Leadership Fills The Gaps AI Can't See

AI is great for crunching numbers and showing trends, but it doesn't know the whole story. For example, it might suggest reallocating resources to speed up delivery by 10%. On first reflection, that might seem logical, but what if the team losing those resources is already struggling, or their project underpins a critical client relationship?

That's where you come in. In this scenario, AI gives you the data, but you provide the context. Leadership is about connecting the dots that AI can't see. So always ask, "What's the bigger picture?" before acting on AI's suggestions.

Let Your Team Do What They do Best

One of the best things about AI is that it can take care of things like tracking dependencies, spotting risks, or flagging blockers, so your team can focus on solving real problems.

In Agile workflows, for instance, AI can highlight velocity trends or warn about potential delays. That means retrospectives can focus on actionable improvements, not just diagnostics. The best approach is to position AI as an ally, not a replacement. It should enhance your team's work, not take over entirely.

Prepare For The Challenges.

AI brings enormous potential, but it's not without its issues, so here are some things to watch out for:

• Bias in data: AI learns from historical data, which can carry biases. This might mean skewed recommendations, like assigning tasks unfairly. Regular audits and diverse training data are essential.
• Transparency: Make sure your team understands how AI makes decisions and that they have the power to intervene when needed.
• Data security: Protect sensitive information with strong encryption, strict access controls, and compliance with regulations.
• Cultural readiness: Teams need time to adapt to new tools. Clear communication, training, and support are essential.

AI Supports, Leadership Delivers

AI handles admin, flags risks, and provides sharper insights, but the tools are only as good as those using them. Your job as a leader is to bring in the human elements of judgment, empathy, and decision-making. Use AI to clear the noise and enhance your strengths, but remember - the tools don't lead, you do.

As NVIDIA's Jensen Huang said, "The automation of intelligence, is such an incredible idea, the applications are boundless." So, embrace AI, let it handle the routine while you focus on the bigger picture, like your people, strategy, and vision. How can you improve your use of AI today?

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