Using AI-powered processes to manage projects

More than ever, today’s project manager is under continual pressure to deal with multiple tasks and competing priorities. Project managers are always looking for better ways to simplify tasks and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) is certainly one that could help.

It makes sense. AI has the capability to very quickly analyse significant amounts of data, learn from this and even make predictions based on past data. It also never complains about monotonous tasks so you can delegate repetitive tasks to an intelligent assistant as well as the analysis of massive amounts of data.

And AI is not something to look forward to using in the future - it is here now. In fact, according to a global survey, 56% of businesses have already adopted AI to perform at least one function within their company. At Ditto Digital we started using AI software in 2022 to perform Natural Language Processing (NLP) analysis as part of our AI-powered Content Audits and Competitor Analysis projects.

What tasks can AI do in project management?

AI is the perfect solution for those data-driven, mundane and monotonous tasks. These are the sort of tasks that require concentration and attention to detail but are not incredibly taxing and as a result, can often lead to mistakes when someone is bored or needs to work quickly to move onto other more important tasks.

Many repetitive project tasks could and should be automated. By identifying those tasks within your projects, and ensuring that you have the right AI to perform them, will free up much-needed time for tasks where, perhaps, more creative input is required or where genuinely new ideas are needed to solve a complex problem.

Can AI offer intelligent assistance?

The truth is that AI can do more than many people realise. Even the humble chatbot can be programmed to find the best answers to some of the more standard questions when it is set up correctly. AI is great for things like data analysis and can sift through significant quantities of data in a much shorter space of time than even the best human member of your team. Recognising how and where AI can support you team can help you successfully lead change in projects where administrative project tasks can be outsourced to an intelligent assistant.

Can AI offer predictive analysis?

In project management, AI is great for predictive analysis. It can be used to assess what might happen in the future based on what has already happened on similar projects in the past. It can offer highly accurate and insightful predictions that eliminate the likelihood of human bias and error. It can offer support for the modelling and understanding of risk and find ways to forecast things like stakeholder behaviour (again, based on lessons learned from past behaviour) so that you can make the most of your opportunities and mitigate any risks.

Of course, as the saying goes: garbage in, garbage out (or GIGO) so the quality of the output will always be determined by the quality of the input.

Can AI help with cost management?

The role of cost management in any project is difficult to underestimate. AI can assist your team with the creation of multiple cost models and even compare them to different elements using a range of criteria. It never misses a detail, something which is essential if you want to create a project that meets all of its goals in terms of budget, timescale and, of course, end result.