Project managers fear that AI creates unrealistic expectations

(Left to right) Ciarán Hickey, Data and Analytics and AI Labs Lead, EY Ireland; Peter Glynne, PMI Ireland Chapter President, and Jennifer Ryan, Business Transformation Partner, EY Ireland

Caoimhe Gordon

Project management professionals think advancements in technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), have contributed to unrealistic expectations about achievable goals.

A survey of project managers found 72pc of 122 respondents felt the new technology has led to higher expectations from those who do fully understand its capabilities.

However, the majority were optimistic about the impact of artificial intelligence on their jobs, according to the survey, conducted by the Ireland chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI).

It found that 46pc of project managers felt that AI could reduce stress in the workplace.

A total of 70pc expect it to permanently change the role of a project manager, while 74pc added that it is driving innovation.

Three-quarters of those surveyed said the technology has already had a “significant” positive impact on the profession, while 41pc agreed AI is improving delivery times and completion.

The survey found the average cost of failed projects in the past year was over €710,896, while just 11pc of recent projects met all project success metrics of schedule, cost, benefits and resources.

Issues around resources were highlighted as the main cause of stress for 52pc of project managers. Half pointed to competing priorities, while 45pc found frequent scope changes stressful.

Almost two-thirds indicated that their workplace has channels of communication to discuss mental health issues, such as stress, burnout and fatigue.

“Project management can of course be a high-pressure profession, but it is clear that – as well as adequate training and effective ways of working – emerging technologies like AI can streamline projects and boost success,” Peter Glynne, president of PMI’s Ireland, said. He added that AI can play a role in driving innovation.

“Artificial intelligence, in particular generative AI, offers project managers the opportunity to further embed innovation and efficiency into their projects, automating routine or process driven tasks and enabling people to focus on higher value tasks and, most crucially, enabling more human interactions,” said EY business transformation partner Jennifer Ryan.

She said project managers are harnessing technologies which “simplify complex endeavours and enable people and organisations to work smarter”.

PMI hosts its Work Smart Summit in Dublin on April 23.