How Digital Transformation is Changing the Project Management Landscape
The C-suite may be the starting point for a digital transformation plan, but it is project managers who will need to seize the reins throughout implementation. Project managers are tasked with putting senior leadership’s vision into action and executing the company’s new digital capabilities as the executive muscle of any firm.
The way project managers operate is changing as a result of digital transformation. Project managers are in the forefront of implementing new project management techniques even though they have always been accountable for the planning, acquisition, and execution of projects. In fact, the majority of project managers have already embraced process automation and workflow technology, even if it is only in a few areas, like reporting or scheduling. And the majority of them are aware that using digital project management tools may improve their ability to manage projects.
Digital Transformation’s Impact on Project Management
Here are four ways that digitization is driving the transition to more tech-based solutions and changing the responsibilities of project managers. Today, many organizations discover:
1. More efficient and strategic communication among teams and companies
Cross-team communication is one of the key areas in which contemporary digital technology is changing project management. Traditional methods like email are inefficient for collaboration since they weren’t made for real-time communication. Endless email chains make it simple to miss important information, and a flood of emails regularly kills productivity.
The use of collaborative work management software, on the other hand, enables team members and coworkers from other departments to interact, connect, and communicate in real time, significantly decreasing email clutter and saving a ton of time in the process. New technologies are, however, not only increasing the efficiency of intra-office communication, but also its efficacy.
2. Incremental ownership from team members and cooperation within teams
Modern work management systems are supporting more effective, strategy-focused communication while also making it simpler for teams to actually collaborate. Executives, project managers, and team members may make comments, assign tasks, set up dashboards, proof and approve materials, and take care of pretty much anything else connected to the project with the correct platform in place.
This intense degree of cooperation naturally increases teammates’ feelings of shared ownership and promotes an environment of cooperation and synergy. And that’s where the magic happens, as the saying goes. It has been shown that workers who feel like they are a part of a team effort are more engaged, less tired, and more successful than those who work alone.
3. Results-focused rather than process-focused language
PMs now have more time to concentrate on strategy optimization and project delivery because to digital transformation’s automation of workflows and coordination of conventional project management responsibilities like scheduling. In fact, the PMI forecasts that project managers will be seen increasingly as strategic leaders in their organizations as digital transformation continues to affect businesses across all industries and verticals.
Project managers are focusing on the best methods to match each project with the plans and goals of their organization as they have access to more digital tools and automated procedures. By using a customer-centric project management strategy, they are also producing more successful results.
4. Enhanced analytics for better PM results, procedures, and ROI
The analytical technology that PMs need to make data-driven choices, identify patterns, and analyze trends is now available thanks to digital transformation, which will eventually improve project outcomes and success rates. Executives and managers may now make better-informed choices more quickly and easily because to this access to deep data.
Real-time cost and labor evaluations in robust analytical reports help managers maintain projects on schedule and within budget. For executives and stakeholders, extensive data sets may also be readily broken down, providing them with exact insight into the business effect and ROI of every project, assisting them in planning subsequent projects and making crucial strategic choices.
Conclusion
Digital change shouldn’t be feared from a project management standpoint. Yes, it will need some effort, time, and interruption. But it will also provide project managers the tools you need to manage project team more effectively, complete projects more quickly, and ultimately help achieve better client and customer service for the business.
