The influence of artificial intelligence on project management knowledge areas in IT industry

Abstract

This study delves into the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IT project management within Sri Lanka's Western Province, focusing on the dynamic interaction between AI and the ten Project Management Knowledge Areas (PMKAs) defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Through in-depth interviews with ten expert project managers and IT professionals, this research examines how AI influences various PMKAs and their broader implications for the industry. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances PMKAs involving historical data analysis and repetitive tasks, such as communication, stakeholder engagement, scheduling, and resource management. AI optimizes workflows, improves decision-making, and enhances communication within project management tools like Trello, Google Bard, and ChatGPT. Conversely, areas that heavily rely on human skills, such as scope and procurement management, show minimal AI impact due to their dependence on human judgment and interactions. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain, including data privacy concerns, resistance to change, and ethical issues. The study provides several critical recommendations for project managers to navigate these complexities: identify problems that AI can effectively solve, prioritize user training, adopt human-centric approaches, ensure ethical and legal compliance, and focus on future skill development. In conclusion, while AI significantly augments project management capabilities, the human element remains indispensable. AI will not replace project managers but will evolve their roles, enabling them to co-create project success with AI. This research offers valuable insights for IT professionals and researchers, providing a roadmap for adapting and thriving in a landscape where AI and human expertise interweave to redefine the future of project management