Five Project Management Trends for 2023

As we enter the second half of 2022 and think about 2023, below are the five project management trends that we're tracking.

1. Working With Fully Remote Teams

Working across remote teams is not new but we're now seeing larger teams that are 100% remote, typically across multiple locations and time zones. Before the Covid pandemic, companies typically hired people to work in of their office locations with perhaps one off-shore location. Even though there is a "back to the office" push, many companies have relaxed their location requirements so that you may have people working anywhere across the country and the world.

Working across multiple time zones creates challenges in scheduling daily stand-ups and other meetings. For example, if you have people located in New York, San Franciso, and Buenos Aires, that gives you only four hours of overlap in a standard working day, which makes it challenging to schedule meetings. To add even more complexity, if you have team members on the U.S. West Coast and Europe, this can result in differences of more than eight hours so there is no overlap of working hours, making it even more difficult to have meetings when everyone can attend.

We're also seeing a greater focus on off-shore markets. For example, previously recruiting in Latin America was limited to certain cities and countries but now we're seeing a leveling in Latin America targeting more and more areas that used to be out of reach.

Managing a fully remote team requires additional planning and oversight ensuring that everyone is in-sync and has the tools necessary to be successful. As a project managers, we need to think about how to get the best from our teams, dealing with these cultural, language, and time zone differences.

2. Advanced Resource Management

Resource Management (RM) techniques are quickly advancing and we're seeing more automation and sophistication in the tools. Below are the new trends in Resource Management that we are seeing.

Resource Management follows a centralized, global model in the organization. Resource Managers are transitioning so that they are integrated to a company's structure. Resource Management is integral to the company's strategy, and not to be seen as a back-end, administrative function.

Use of an advanced RM tool. Previously, many organizations were managing resource assignments using Google Sheets or Excel. For project-based work, this approach is cumbersome, not very efficient, and highly error-prone. We're seeing many organizations moving to Professional Services Automation (PSA) platforms that automate the mundane resourcing functions and allow for real forward-looking models that can be used to drive the business. PSA tools also allow you to integrate many of the other tools such as time tracking, project management, financial management, and business intelligence into one platform.

Well-defined contractor process. Out-of-control contractor costs are one of the biggest factors impacting profitability across organizations. The RM tool should be able to forecast and identify contractor needs.

Skills tracker integration. Using an integrated skills tracker that is tied to roles is essential ensuring that the right person is matched to each assignment. The skills tracker needs to be maintained by the management team and should also be forward-looking so that it reflects employees' goals. This integration accelerates matching needs to resources.

3. Agile Re-Defined

We've seeing a redefinition of agile, especially how it is used across organizations. In the truest definition of agile, agile projects do not have a pre-defined end date, budget, or scope. The agile process produces viable release candidates with every sprint that is based on the sprint plan. However, it is not predefined when all of the features (e.g., the product backlog) will be released or when a group of features will be available for use. The problem is most organizations need to know when projects will be ready for use. the cost, and what is included in the scope. Companies have customer commitments, industry events, seasonal demands, and/or a marketing schedule that they need to follow.

To bridge that gap, a hybrid agile/waterfall approach is becoming common allowing the schedule, cost, and scope to be managed. This allows companies to both follow a plan and be able to respond to changes. The tenants of this approach are:

• Through sprint road mapping, we have a clear understanding of what is expected across each sprint
• We have a contingency built into the roadmap. This is crucial as it protects us from time and budget slippage. This is typically represented by including contingency sprints in the roadmap
• The scrum master is typically a software/technical project manager who has scrum training and experience
• We focus on developing repeatable processes and the use of tools to quicken development, in addition, to individuals and interactions
• Gates (or checkpoints) are used to ensure that the project continues to progress quickly

4. Teamwork Starts With Inclusivity

Gone are the old ways of looking at people. In 2023, we must view and treat everyone equally. As a project managers, we will:

• Recognize that unconscious bias is real and we do our best to eliminate it
• Act with empathy and seek to understand each other's views
• Realize when injustices occur as they affect all of us. When we see concerns, we work to first educate one another, and if necessary, take further action
• Celebrate our differences. Make sure everyone has a voice at the table and the opportunity to succeed

As project managers, we must create an environment that allows everyone to be their authentic selves.

5. Maintaining Flexibility is Essential

We're seeing huge shifts both in the economy and within organizations. We go from a hiring frenzy during the "great resignation" where companies cannot hire fast enough and resignations are rolling in at record rates, and in the blink of an eye, the economy instantly shifts to the "great layoff" as we see major layoffs across many tech sectors.

Project managers need to be able to pivot with more veracity in 2023.

In 2023, project managers have to be flexible as our client's and organization's needs can shift in a split second. What may be important to a client can quickly transform, whether is it related to scope, schedules, budgets, or teams. There may also be external factors that affect resourcing your project and how you structure teams.

Related Articles

If you like this article, check out some of my other articles

Equality for All, Not Equality for Some!

7 Trends That Will Drive Digital Transformation

Best Practices?for?Setting Up a PMO

8 Things that Top Project Managers Do Well

10 Ways to Screw Up a Project

About Me

Hello, I'm Barry, a Strategic PM and Operations Leader, I help companies make more money while saving costs. I do this by increasing profitability and developing project and operational efficiencies. Driven by a fascination with harnessing the potential of technology and AI, I excel at delivering complex global solutions and building client partnerships. Recognized as a Top 50 Project Management Leader and I hold certifications from PMI and as a Scrum Master.

#RemoteTeamManagement #AdvancedResourceManagement #AgileEvolution #InclusiveTeamwork #ProjectManagementFlexibility #GlobalRemoteTeams #PSAPlatforms #HybridAgile #UnconsciousBiasAwareness #ProjectManager2023 #AgileWaterfallHybrid #InclusivityInTeams #FlexibilityInPM #ResourceManagementTrends #AgileRedefinition #DiversityAndInclusion #TeamEmpathy #RapidPMAdaptation #EqualityInProjectManagement