Technological advances affect leadership and work, causing significant changes in almost every industry. Project management is no exception, and methods for planning, executing, and completing projects are being adapted to fit the new post-pandemic working environment.
Here are some project management trends for 2023 that we predict will become more prevalent in the future.
1. An Ongoing Transition to Digital and Remote Work
Full-time, remote work and hybrid work (a combination of in-office and remote) are here to stay in our post-pandemic world. About 56% of full-time employees, according to Gallup, can complete all job tasks from home. The shift to fully remote work during the pandemic further demonstrated that productivity and efficiency in the workplace could be maintained, even when most employees were working from homes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The transition to remote work will continue in 2023. From a project management view, this change has advantages and disadvantages. Working together in the same physical space encourages teamwork and collaboration, which can be hindered in a virtual workspace.
Despite the benefits of in-person collaboration, remote workers value the flexibility of working from home and express higher levels of job satisfaction. Many remote workers would choose to continue working remotely or only part-time rather than going back to the office full-time if given the option.
As 2023 approaches, project managers may face difficulties navigating team dynamics and performance in a new world that is becoming more and more digital.
The rise of cloud-based operations
The reliance on cloud computing services and communication networks has increased as workplaces become more remote. Systems based on the cloud can offer more affordable alternatives to conventional operations without sacrificing functionality and performance. Because employees can access cloud services anytime, anywhere, they will become the new norm for modern companies.
2. The Changing Role of the Project Manager
One of the biggest project management trends 2023 is the changing role of the project manager.
Modern project managers do more than manage tasks and projects. They collaborate and communicate with vendors, working with groups and teams. They create value by planning, coordinating and delivering complex projects on-time, on-budget, and high quality.
Integrating change management with project management
Businesses have implemented an increasing number of initiatives to modify their internal organizational structures in recent years. Project managers are developing their ability to incorporate the needs of these transformation initiatives into their strategies and plans for managing projects. Establishing a flexible methodology with clear procedures and guidelines that your team can adhere to is essential for integrating change projects. These abilities will remain necessary in the upcoming years as businesses expand and adapt to the changing workplace requirements.
A hybrid approach to project management
Traditionally, using a single project management methodology was enough for success. However, today’s project can be complex and come in all shapes, sizes and requirements. Therefore, to effectively manage a project, you need to be flexible in your methodology and approach. Recently, an increasing number of businesses have combined various project management methodologies to maximize flexibility and develop a project-specific management style. Hybrid techniques give you more advantages for your project success and they will become the new standards in the future.
Connecting project management and business strategy
Project managers should care about business strategy. This way, they can align the project with organizational goals, connect stakeholders and team members to value – as a result, increasing the success rate of the project. Project managers are also required to understand how different projects relate to one another and how they are connected to achieve the company’s goals rather than concentrating on individual projects in isolation.
3. The Evolution of Project Management Tools and Software
Project management in virtually every industry has benefited from technological developments in software and automation. Project managers’ work can be made more productive with the aid of digital tools.
The increase use of AI and automation in project management
Among project management trends 2023, AI use and implementation cannot go unmentioned. AI-powered tools have the ability to handle more complex projects, automate time-consuming administrative tasks, analyze data and provide insights for companies to achieve their productivity. AI enhances people management and frees project managers to concentrate on core tasks and strategies.
Project managers who invest the time to learn about automation and AI will be well-equipped to make use of this trend.
The importance of data analytics
Data and project management go hand in hand. An effective project manager can develop a focused strategy to enhance current procedures and advance their organization’s objectives by successfully using available data to gain insight into key metrics. Project management software can help with data collection and analysis as well as provide project managers with clear evaluations and visualization tools to use in teamwork, productivity, and time management activities.
Emotional intelligence and soft skills
Beside AI and automation, there are soft skills that project managers need to focus on. They include leadership, teamwork, decision-making, time and risk management, emotional intelligence, communication, mentorship and training.
How to Choose the Best Project Management Software
The effectiveness and efficiency of a team and its leaders can be greatly improved by project management software. It could be difficult to determine which software best suits the needs of your company with so many options available. However, there are factors you can consider that will help guide your decision. For example: ease of use, price and fees, features and functionality, customer service and user ratings. At EXE Corp, our software development team uses the best project management tools like Jira, GitLab, Jenkins, SonarQube and SF4C to keep tasks and processes organized and transparent, as well as enhance understanding and communication between team members and stakeholders.
