Effective project management is of the utmost importance when it comes to meeting targets and deadlines. Without a solid plan to manage projects, it’s not possible to deliver high-quality services and products to clients. Hence, most of the project management trends focus on efficiency and optimization. Here are the most important project management trends in 2019.
Targeted Innovation
Project management software still suffers from two big gaps.
The first is the Application Chasm. Teams that use task management applications often face frustration due to the lack of planning capabilities. Many individuals look for alternative project management apps that can integrate timelines and other planning features that are traditionally absent in project-management apps.
The second is the Environment Chasm. Teams that use modern solutions in areas like Slack and JIRA are looking for an equivalent project management experience.
These solutions remain elusive for the most part. Many project managers continue to use MS Excel and don’t consider other options. This kind of orthodoxy strains the progress in a business. Not only that, it nurtures apathy towards progress.
Hence, targeted innovation needs to be addressed in project management if businesses are to move forward.
Data-Driven Presentation
The modern business environment requires that we go beyond the normal planning and tracking of progress. Advanced data analytics and presentation are the need of the hour. These tools will help in composing reports that are filled with deeper insights and more direct answers. They will speed up projects, recognize hazards, improve innovation in the field, and offer several other benefits.
Several solutions have been deployed in existing software like Trello and JIRA. Gantt Charts have also been a great addition. While these tools do provide better data presentation, the layer of presentation isn’t connected to real data. Hence, it can be subjected to manipulation. There need to be better links with the data in the presentation layers so that they’re not manipulated. This will help in interpreting the data better.
Enterprise Integration and Coordination
More and more organizations are working with fluid “flow to work” methods today. This is due to innovation in the work structure and the adoption of agile methodology. However, this technology poses some challenges for management. It’s fast becoming a major concern for forward-thinking organizations that need quick data processing.
Hence, a mindset shift is the need of the hour now. Previously, technology was being treated as a supporting capability that was used to deliver services. Hence, technology was to be used as a tool and it was never the main focus. Instead, the focus was on priorities, resourcing, and budgeting. However, the shift has turned technology into the main focus.
Today, the integration of advanced technology into the core system of a company is the key to expansion and innovation. It unlocks value and enables quick reactions to businesses and stakeholder needs.
This is perhaps the most important of the 2019 project management trends. It will allow for the total vertical and lateral integration of a company. With departments seamlessly connected, large organizations will be better equipped to work as a single entity.
Risk Analytics
Management analytics have consisted of critical chain analysis and resource management for the longest time. The risk was always measured by the critical chain, as well as defined by it. The resources loading analysis was supposed to cover analytics.
However, the rise of agile methodologies has shifted focus away from the critical chain and on to continuous delivery. The world has evolved to become used to continuous delivery and cyclical processes. The critical chain is no longer efficient or optimal enough to survive. It can’t even be calculated in some cases. Hence, without the critical chain, resource management is the only thing that remains. However, since projects require a lot more than that, significant coordination and operational efforts are needed.
Resource management doesn’t focus on the knowledge gaps which can increase risk and result in the project failing. These factors have to be calculated through confidence analytics which takes into account safety, risk, etc. Hence, a move towards better risk management is imminent.
Starting as or Moving to Cloud-Based SaaS
This is a prevailing trend in business and has been for nearly a decade now. It’s conventional wisdom now to start from scratch by availing cloud services. Companies and businesses that are still running on the CapEx model are shifting towards OpEx overwhelmingly. Project management trends thus require that companies begin from Cloud Based SaaS platforms rather than move there.
Due to the availability of better broadband speeds and standard web page technologies and protocols, that’s never been easier.
Diversification of Skills
Both technical and soft skills will seemingly be in higher demand for project managers in the years to come. On the technical side, project managers will more likely become engaged in projects that will incorporate more AI. Hence project managers will be required to be well versed in Blockchain, AI, machine learning, data science, etc.
Projects in the future will become more complex and interconnected. Hence, managers will need to collaborate with broader groups of stakeholders. The new professional reality will demand that project managers be imbued with skills like leadership, strategic and business management. They will be forced to be more adaptable so they can keep pace with technology.
Watch out for these most important project management trends in 2020. They will intrinsically affect the development of project management in the years to come.
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