In this article:
- AI & tech
- Agile & hybrid
- Remote working
- Soft skills
- Data-driven
- Flexibility
- Capacity management
- Project portfolio management
- Summary
AI & tech
AI is already almost unimaginable in our lives, and in the coming year we are going to use this development more and more. Sometimes even unnoticed. By 2024, project management tools will also be supported by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These tools will help project managers automate routine tasks, predict project risks and provide insights to make better decisions.
Agile & hybrid
Agile practices will continue to grow in 2024, but we also see growth in hybrid project management methods that combine the flexibility of Agile with the structure of more traditional approaches such as the waterfall method. Organisations will embrace these hybrid project management methods to adapt to changing needs.
Remote working
No longer a new trend, but certainly one that is not going away and thus remains current. By 2024, teams around the world will be brought together using collaboration platforms, virtual whiteboards and other technologies to communicate effectively and collaborate in real time.
Soft skills
In addition to technical skills, soft skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership will be essential for project managers in 2024. Effective communication and team building will contribute to the success of projects in an environment where people work hybrid and remote, while good leadership will help motivate and inspire teams.
Data-driven
Data analytics and business intelligence will be an integral part of project management in 2024. Project managers will use data to generate insights that will help them make better decisions and improve project performance. In vPlan, for example, you can add the 'analysis' view, where you can analyse achieved results and data to better prepare for the future and make informed choices.
Flexibility
With an ever-changing business environment, agility and resilience will be more important than ever for project management in 2024. Organisations will need to be able to adapt quickly to unexpected challenges and disruptions to remain successful. Our planning software offers great flexibility in this respect.
With its 'dependencies' functionality, you connect tasks and manage your workflows easily. Is a task running late? Then the rest of the planning moves up as well. You get an early notification when it is time to intervene. This way, you never get stuck with your project planning again.
Project management: where deadlines are like diet plans - nice in theory, but practice is often filled with exceptions and temptations."
Capacity management
Understanding your capacity is crucial for your project management. Many projects are delayed or even not achieved at all because the priorities set are not maintained. Often, this is because the right people are not available. This can have several causes, such as projects taking longer than planned, too much work on individual agendas, and constantly accepting new requests without checking capacity.
Managing capacity well can help solve these problems. This includes:
- Planning capacity at both tactical level (6 to 24 months ahead) and operational level (1 to 6 months ahead). In vPlan, you use the timeline for this to gain long-term insight;
- Working with fixed project teams, so resource planning is done at team level instead of individually. This also ensures better cooperation and knowledge sharing within the team.
By looking closely at capacity and managing it effectively, organisations can avoid overloading and ensure that projects are completed successfully.
Project portfolio management
Implementing change is like puzzling over missing pieces: there are never enough people and resources to do everything at once. But with good project portfolio management, an organisation can make smart choices about which projects to prioritise, which can wait a while, and which might be better scrapped.
More and more organisations are now recognising the importance of project management software. What first seemed like something only for large companies, you now also see in hospitals, schools and in government. Strong project planning is increasingly seen as the key to success.
Summary
In 2024, project managers will face a rapidly changing landscape characterised by technological advances, sustainability, agility and more. Some key trends to keep an eye on include:
- Increasing use of AI and technology tools to improve project management;
- Evolution of Agile practices and the rise of hybrid project management methodologies;
- The rise of remote working and the importance of effective collaboration tools;
- The growing emphasis on soft skills for project managers;
- The importance of data analytics and business intelligence;
- The need for agility and resilience in a rapidly changing environment;
- The crucial role of capacity management and project portfolio management.
These trends present opportunities for organisations to optimise their project management and make successful changes.By embracing these developments and adapting to the new reality of project management in 2024, organisations can maintain their competitive advantage and grow in an ever-changing business environment.Because anyone who has anything to do with project management knows: expect the unexpected.
After reading this article, would you like to try vPlan for your project management? Try it out for free! We have a handy demo for project management to get you started.