The Barney School of Business and PMI-Southern New England Chapter (BSB x SNEC-PMI) panel discussion series, "Ever-Changing Project Management in Practice," recently concluded with a focus on the fusion of Agile methodologies and artificial intelligence in the field of project management. The event, aptly named "Agile Horizons: Unraveling Tomorrow's Techniques & AI Wonders," brought together a diverse group of panelists to share their insights and experiences. Our panel consisted of experts from different areas:
Chris Zack – Project and Program Manager at IBM (IBM Certified Senior Project Manager, PMI-ACP, PMP)
Gregory J. Gregonis – Owner of Transition2Done (PMP, SCM, MBA, BSIE)
Mary Jane Lawton – President of PMI-SNEC, Director of H3W Project Management Office (EPMO) at Hartford HealthCare.
The series began with an informal networking session, where attendees enjoyed refreshments and engaged in preliminary discussions. This set the stage for an evening of stimulating discourse on the future of project management.
The first session delved into "Agile Mastery in the Evolving Project Landscape," where panelists discussed the transformative impact of Agile on project management. They explored the challenges and opportunities presented by Agile's adaptability, sharing real-world success stories and the lessons learned. Discussions revolved around the shift to a value mindset, the necessity of continuous improvement, and the evolution of execution strategies.
Panelists shared their insights on the Agile versus waterfall debate, emphasizing the importance of certification and training, leadership roles, and the new ways of working that Agile introduces. They highlighted that Agile allows for quicker outcomes as well as faster recognition of failures, ultimately leading to success in a timely manner.
The second session, "Diving Deeper into Agile: Beyond the Basics," uncovered lesser-known Agile techniques and tools, advancing the conversation from adoption to innovation. The panelists emphasized the empowerment of teams through fostering self-organization and continuous growth, with a focus on transparency and openness in processes and communication.
The highlight of the evening was the discussion on "When Agile Romances AI: A Seamless Integration." The panelists envisioned a future where Agile practices are enhanced by AI's analytical prowess, improving sprint planning and retrospectives. They discussed the current and potential uses of AI in project management, from automating mundane tasks like meeting notes to providing predictive insights on project risks.
The event wrapped up with a dynamic 'Flash Question Session,' where panelists provided concise responses to a variety of questions, touching on topics such as leadership in the Gen-Z era and the universal value of project management skills.
In conclusion, the panelists shared their final thoughts, urging attendees to prepare for change, stay relevant with the latest trends, and recognize the competitive edge that project management skills provide in any industry.
The "Ever-Changing Project Management in Practice" series not only shed light on the current state of Agile and AI in project management but also sparked conversations on the continuous evolution of these practices. As the field moves forward, the integration of Agile methodologies and AI technologies holds the promise of revolutionizing project management, making it more efficient and responsive to the ever-changing business landscape.
We're proud to remind you that the Barney School of Business offers a comprehensive BSBA minor in Project Management and an MBA with a Project Management concentration, which is accredited by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of PMI, ensuring a curriculum that meets the highest standards in project management education.