As the project management profession matured over the years, there has been a growing emphasis on developing leadership skills in order to become a better project leader.
In the words of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) President and CEO, Sunil Prashara:
“Not only do today’s project leaders need a strong understanding of technology, the ability to determine the best project management methodology for projects, AND the new “power skills” like empathy, creativity and inspirational leadership, they must also have an understanding of the major business, technological, economic and geopolitical trends shaping the world.”
Sunil Prashara, President of PMI
To help prepare project professionals for this, the PMI has conducted research (interviews with project professionals; analyzed information extracted from political, economic, scientific and demographic databases) on the most pressing, long-term trends around the globe. The purpose is to gain a greater understanding of where these critical areas are heading and how industry project leaders can prepare.
With the speed of transformation and operating in a complex world, it will help to gain an understanding of these changes in order to thrive and make an impact where you are.
Signposts Report
The findings have been published in the PMI 2020 Signposts Report. In summary, the Report consist of the following Insights:
Insight 1: Africa and most of the developing world will be home to a new generation of talent ready to tackle a new generation of projects.
Insight 2: Climate change ranks as one of the biggest existential threats to civilization, but project professionals can play a pivotal role in avoiding the point of no return.
Insight 3: As artificial intelligence truly moves into the mainstream, it brings harsh realities—and immense opportunities for project leaders with the right blend of people and tech skills.
Insight 4: Rampant protectionism is forcing a rethink of the once unstoppable force of globalization. But for many project teams, it’s cross-border business as usual (with a few tweaks).
Insight 5: The global infrastructure gap between needs and investment is wide. To close it, project leaders are relying on data-driven innovation—and good old-fashioned people skills.
Insight 6: Keeping information safe requires a united front, backed by a cross-disciplinary, enterprise-wide cybersecurity culture.
The Report makes for a fascinating read about climate change, artificial intelligence, globalization, the infrastructure gap, cybersecurity and shifting demographics.
There are complex issues to be solved which require a new way of thinking and to reimagine the way work gets done. The PMI advocates that organisations need project leaders who bring holistic perspectives, a deep curiosity and broad skill sets to the work at hand who are capable of embracing new ways of working, leading diverse teams and exploring innovative solutions. We need to get ourselves ready.
