Industry trends in Project Management - 2015

Industry Trends in Project Management -2015

Recently, Got chance to speak on this topic on Teacher's day in my organization. So, sharing the thoughts to wider audience.

Expected Audience -

Professionals practicing Project Management or beginners want to learn Project Management Trends

 

What to expect?

• What is Changing in Industry from Project Management Perspective?

• PMs Growth Perspectives

• PMs role Change

 Key Areas of Industry Trends

 

  

While there are plenty of areas to be touched when it comes to Project Management. However , today, I am going to talk about key points -

 

PMs role , Agility and Technology

 

 PMs role

• It has seen a change due to latest Industry trends. There is more demand of Leaders, Further , Leadership have become more distributed. Well, the idea is very old. However , the need to adopt agile has pushed organizations to have self-organized teams and everyone to step-up as leader. Another thing that is going to change for PM is to play dual role of Change Manager too.
• The latest industry trends says that PM and Change Management functions are merging. It makes absolute sense that all those responsible for implementation should be fully “on board” with the change and they are better to drive this than Project Manager driving it

Agility

•  It is THE KEY work in Industry and making Agile work for their organizations is the big question. Few organizations were reluctant to adopt but latest trends have shown everyone in the race. There are often  negative side effects, Like Incomplete work, fatigue team and less customer satisfaction. PMs need to stand up to become a bridge between customers and team to make organizations successful in adopting agility.
• PMs need to leave traditional way of responding to customer and speed up response to customer.
• To adopt agility, We Should not expect to train few resources and expect them to execute the same. Complete team needs to be trained on Agile.

Technology

•  PM need to understand latest trends in relevant Technology to understand the complete landscape of project.  Also, should focus on Own/Customer Organization strategy for technology. Ex - Digital, Mobile.
• Clouds is BUZZ word today. While market is offering many Cloud based solutions, it is also creating few. The cloud based solutions sometimes are not matching customer requirement and expectation. PM needs to bridge the gap.

Lessons

1. PMs should empower other leaders in the team
2. PMs should take Change management blurring as opportunity to drive Cost savings and Efficiency
3. PMs need to be pro-active and speed to response
4. Train complete team on Agile
5. Be a bridge for Cloud based solution and customer expectation

PMs growth Trends

While talking about PM trends, I definitely find a need to discuss PM growth trends and few qualities PM should possess in order to be successful PM.

PM cost , Involvement, Skill Upgrade and credentials 

 

PM trends 

 

• Cost - Good news is friends, it is going high. The industry has already seen increased demand of Project Mangers. The reasons are many - Organizations are re-evaluating projects and PMOs are needed
• Involvement - We have read/seen since many years the need of involving PMs and PMO early in game. Its exactly the way architect is needed early in the constructing a house.
• Trainings - PMs need to sharpen their axe by regular trainings
• Credentials - There is mixed feeling on whether credentials/certifications are adding value or not.

PM As-a-Service 

 

• Due to above trends, many organizations are outsourcing the complete PM work to third parties, vendors etc.
• This option can reduce the risk of having talent for longer time than required. Often, it will be helpful for both Project Manger and Client Organization

PMs focus areas 

 As projects are getting more complex, PM need to change the way of working:

• Resources Mentoring,, Coaching that leads to motivation and high productivity
• PMs need to think like Entrepreneurs that leads to successful projects and Cost Savings/Efficiency
• PMs need to drive  Innovation led projects
• PMs need to ensure that they face Difficult Conversations than avoiding them
• Certifications - Strongly recommend to clear PMP or other PM certifications

Key PM Trends in IT

 

My study is towards IT industry , hence covering few key aspect of PM trends in IT

What is R&R change?

What are project changes?

 

Key PM trends in IT  

• R&R - With Agile World , One need to ensure that they do below:
• Create a relationship with Stakeholders (Team , Customers and Investors) in such a way that they are able to manage the agile expectations
• Communicate , Communicate & Communicate
• Need to have strategic approach to Talent retention and Talent Building

• Projects - The projects are getting more complex by nature.
• Agile and Mobile is dominating the Industry. So, PM needs to bridge the gap and coordinate.
• Risk Management is going to be the key 

Organizational Connect

 

There is huge need of linking Organization Strategy and Culture to the project. It will have direct impact on Project Outcome - Success or Failure

PM needs to understand Organizational Policies  (HR, Business and Learning/Development) and Organization Culture and implement/use the same to all Stakeholder's benefits.



Hope the learning was useful. All the Best for your Projects!!!

Once again, Thank you so much for reading blog. Please provide feedback to motivate me further. Happy Reading and Writing!!