Author: Rich Weller

Introduction Welcome to the transformative world of project management, where artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword, but a game-changer in the way Project Management Offices (PMOs) function. Hi there, my name is Rich Weller. I have been in the Project Management profession for nearly 30 years. Throughout my career, according to experts tracking the stats, I have witnessed incremental improvements in project success rates. I sincerely believe that understanding and implementing standardized and proven processes has helped. I also believe that in the recent past, Agile principles, processes and techniques have added to our improved success rate. However, what got us here will not get us there! It’s time for a paradigm shift. We can’t just keep chasing the latest incremental improvements in the process. We need to leap! As PMO Leaders, we need to adopt a fresh perspective. Instead of focusing solely on processes, we need to turn our attention to technology, particularly the potential of Artificial Intelligence. Understanding AI Before we delve deeper, it’s crucial to define what we mean by Artificial Intelligence. The term “AI” often conjures up images of “The Terminator,” or, as I have seen more recently, is associated solely with ChatGPT. However, both these representations are far from the truth! Here is part of our problem: at this point in time, there is no agreed-upon definition of AI. And, depending upon which definition you choose, this dictates what technologies would be considered as an AI tool. For our purposes, we will use Microsoft’s definition: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the capability of a computer program or machine to mimic human-like behavior.” This definition was extracted from this course Microsoft’s definition allows us to include not only well-known AI tools like: But also, a plethora of other tools fit under this umbrella. For instance, at this moment in time, the website, There’s an AI For That, lists over 12,000 AI tools, with over 50 specifically designed for Project Management. Source: But let’s back up and take a closer look at that definition again; “AI is the capability of a computer program or machine to mimic human-like behavior.” We can see that using this definition allows us to expand our technological scope beyond Generative AI. We can incorporate Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a technology that executes predefined rules or instructions to perform repetitive, predictable, or standardized tasks. RPA can: By using technology like Microsoft Power Automate, Microsoft Copilot Studio, IFTTT, Nintex, UIPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, and many others as found here, we can automate processes, thereby “using a program to mimic human-like behavior.” In essence, we are leveraging AI. Harnessing AI In our organization, MIGSO-PCUBED, we’ve been using technology to digitally disrupt organizations since 1991. We focus on leveraging these AI tools to improve processes as well as decision-making capabilities. As demonstrated, AI includes a wide array of software and tools designed to assist organizations, project managers and teams in planning, executing, and monitoring projects. It’s time for PMO Leaders to embrace this AI revolution and harness its potential to drive project success. But now the question moves to “How?” or maybe better, “Where do I begin?” As a PMO Leader, you are uniquely positioned to drive this change that is needed, not only to add value to your organization, but also to improve the project management profession as a whole. The Future PMO The future PMO lies in the successful integration of AI into our daily operations. AI can help us: AI can also help us improve communication within our teams. With AI-powered chatbots, we can ensure that all team members have access to the same information, reducing misunderstandings and improving collaboration. Moreover, AI can help us make better decisions. With AI’s ability to analyze large amounts of data quickly and accurately, we can: In conclusion, as PMO Leaders, we need to embrace the AI revolution. We need to understand that AI is not just ChatGPT; it’s about enhancing our capabilities, improving our decision-making, and ultimately, driving project success. The future PMO is here…right now, and it’s powered by AI. To learn more about how AI is revolutionizing project management and how our PMO is adapting on the cutting edge, join us for our upcoming live event! Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Project Managementwith Rich Weller + Digital Worker team members from MIGSO-PCUBED When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET Where: Live on GoToWebinar Register HERE