PMI is on the Right Track for the Future of Project Management

As a PMI member for over 17 years, I’ve had the privilege of watching the organization evolve. Presidents come and go, each leaving their unique imprint. But something about Pierre Le Manh’s leadership feels especially exciting to me. Maybe it’s the way he’s jumped headfirst into tackling AI—this massive disruptor that’s reshaping everything—or maybe it’s how he’s pushing project managers like us to expand our roles and show the world what we’re truly capable of. As an advocate for the project management profession, I’m strapped in with popcorn eagerly watching it all.

AI: A Disruption Worth Embracing

It’s no secret, AI has been all the rage lately. Everyone’s talking about it, but Le Manh isn’t just talking—he’s doing. Since September 2023, over 230,000 professionals have enrolled in PMI’s AI-focused courses like Generative AI Overview for Project Managers and AI Essentials for Project Professionals. That’s action. And the best part? These courses don’t just highlight AI’s cool, shiny tools—they dive into how we, as project managers, can use them to make our work faster, smarter, and more impactful.

Think about it: no more spending hours on meeting notes or trying to remember spreadsheet formulas. With AI handling the grunt work, we get to focus on the bigger picture. This is where our profession is heading, and I, for one, am here for it.

Our Role is Evolving—Finally!

Here’s the part of Le Manh’s vision that gets me really excited: he sees project managers as more than task jugglers or glorified organizers. He’s calling on us to take on more strategic roles, connecting the dots between stakeholders, customers, internal teams, and corporate goals.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been handed a project with impossible constraints—timelines set by executives who are far removed from the trenches or budgets slashed to hit some arbitrary number. Or worse, promises made by a salesperson that leave me scrambling to play alchemist, trying to ensure project success with what amounts to 2 paper clips, a stick of gum and a rubber band! Am I the only one? Left to clean up a mess I didn’t create, with little say in how the project should have been scoped from the start.

Le Manh’s push to get project managers involved in strategic planning isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s critical. When executives bring us into the room early, we don’t just deliver projects; we align them with the organization’s broader goals, and we do it in a way that’s realistic, efficient, and impactful. It’s time more organizations saw that.

AI as a Partner, Not a Threat

Of course, the rise of AI also means we need to level up. It’s not enough to understand how to manage a Gantt chart anymore; we need to get comfortable with data, sharpen our business acumen, and even learn skills like prompt engineering (basically, how to get AI tools to give you the best results).

But here’s what I appreciate most: PMI isn’t asking us to leave our judgment at the door. They’re promoting a “human-in-the-loop” approach, which is just a fancy way of saying we, as project managers, remain the decision-makers. AI can assist us, but it doesn’t replace us. It’s still up to us to bring the context, the strategy, and—let’s be honest—the ethics.

Ethics have always been baked into the PMP certification, but AI adds a new layer of complexity. PMI’s emphasis on this is reassuring. As long as we approach AI with integrity (and make sure the tools we use do too), it can become an incredible assistant in our work.

Why I’m Excited About the Future

I’ve been in this profession for over 20 years, and I’ve seen it all—the good, the bad, and the “you-can’t-be-serious” ugly. But what keeps me going is knowing how much of a difference project managers can make when given the right opportunities.

With leaders like Le Manh at the helm, I feel very optimistic. His vision for project management—where we’re not just executing tasks but driving strategy—aligns perfectly with what I’ve been saying for years: organizations need to stop underestimating project managers. We’re not just here to get projects done; we’re here to make them successful, meaningful, and aligned with the bigger picture.

So, What’s Next?

For my fellow project managers, the future is ours to seize. Take advantage of the resources out there, whether it’s Generative AI Overview for Project Managers on PMI.org or something you found on YouTube. Start thinking about how you can incorporate AI into your work—not to replace what you do but to amplify it. Also, get up to speed with his plans for the PMI organization laid out in PMI:Next.

And for decision-makers reading this, let me just say: involve your project managers early. Trust us with a seat at the strategic table. You might just be surprised at the clarity and impact we can bring.

At the end of the day, Le Manh’s vision is about more than AI or PMI—it’s about us, as project managers, stepping into the roles we’ve always been capable of but haven’t always been invited to fill. And that, to me, is the future we should all be excited about.