Inside PMO \\ AI PMO – Threat or Opportunity?

The fifth PMO Manager’s Lunch took place in November 2019, the outcomes to that day are now available in the fifth Inside PMO Report.

The AI PMO – Threat or Opportunity?

London’s Fitzrovia provided the venue for the PMO Flashmob’s PMO Managers Lunch.

PMO Managers, from several different industries, are invited to talk in-depth about a particular PMO topic.

At this lunch, the subject was ‘The AI PMO – Threat or Opportunity?’

Technology continues to make advances that can be embraced or ignored (at least temporarily) by our PMOs. The latest bunch of technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (ML) and Predictive Analytics (PA). Few PMOs have embedded these technologies, with many more not fully understanding what the technologies can do, but concerned by the scare stories that the PMO roles will disappear within the next 5 years.

In the latest report, we take a look at how these technologies can be used within the PMO; how to get started and how the PMO is changing.

Conclusions from the Lunch

1. Understanding data literacy and data culture are the foundational steps to becoming a more data-driven organisation.
2. You have to spend as much time on building a data culture as you do with the technologies you will be using and the PMO can support the building of data literacy, one of the building blocks for a data culture in the project management organisation.
3. The five drivers for the PMO and the delivery function to become more data-driven are increased productivity and predictability with data; improved consistency and certainty in the information and insights created and repeatability in the steps and processes taken.
4. The first steps for getting started? Education, education, education.
5. The PMO provides the role of data translator – working in the area between the technology and data specialist and the senior executives. We translate the data produced into actionable information and insights that executives can make decisions on.
6. To get started with AI technologies the PMO leader has to be curious with curious people working within the PMO too.
7. Behavioral science and behavioral observations are just as important as data science and project observations. The PMO must be knowledgeable and skilled in both.
8. Selecting the tools you’ll use is the easy part – upskilling both technically and behaviourally will be harder.
9. The PMO performs the role of data hunter – data gatherer and data farmer – we’re the custodian of data.
10. Robotic Process Automation is an easier place to start than data science and analysis.
11. There are both opportunities and threats to consider with AI technologies yet our PMO Managers see them as a real opportunity for PMOs.

Read the Report

>> Download the Report

PMO Managers:

• Martin Paver – Projecting Success
• Craig MacKay – Sharktower
• Stephen Coates – Independent
• Russell Willis – Mace
• John McIntyre – Hot PMO
• Rachelle Cooper – Mace
• Tim Loughton – Stonefield Automation
• Fay Hawkins – Foundation SP
• Graham Markham – P2 Consulting

Hosts:

Lindsay Scott

Eileen Roden

Click Here to download the report!