Agentic AI in Project Management

Are We Ready for Autonomous PMs?

COMMENTARY

By Archana Choudhary                                  

Texas, USA

Imagine This…

It’s a Monday morning, a project manager logs into their project dashboard expecting the flood of updates and actions to be taken. Instead, he finds something different.

• • Risks are already identified
  • Stakeholders have received tailored updates
  • Resource conflicts are resolved as the schedule has been re-optimized based on real-time data

What once required hours of coordination and decision-making has been executed autonomously.

This isn’t futuristic vision. It’s an early reality of Agentic AI in project management.

For decades, project management discipline has evolved through improvements in methodology, tooling and governance. According to the 2018 Pulse of the Profession®, a global survey conducted by Project Management Institute (PMI), reveals around $1 million is wasted every 20 seconds collectively by organizations around the globe due to the ineffective implementation of business strategy through poor project management practices. This equates to roughly $2 trillion dollars wasted a year. The study shows that on average organizations waste 9.9 percent of every dollar* due to poor project performance, and that around one in three projects (31 percent) do not meet their goals. Reference: pulse-of-the-profession-2018-media-release.pdf

This article explores the rise of agentic AI in project management, beginning with how the discipline has evolved to this point, and why is now at the cusp of most significant transformation path.

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to autonomous artificial intelligence systems designed to achieve specific goals with minimal human supervision. Unlike traditional AI, which operates within predefined constraints and requires human intervention, agentic AI exhibits autonomy, adaptability and goal driven behavior.

These systems leverage large language models (LLMs) and generative AI techniques. Generative AI focuses on creating content while agentic AI extends this by using generative outputs to perform complex tasks autonomously.

Unlike traditional AI tools or copilots that assist with tasks, Agentic AI can:

More…

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How to cite this article: Choudhary, A.  (2026).  Agentic AI in Project Management: Are We Ready for Autonomous PMs?, commentary, PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue V, May.  Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pmwj164-May2026-Choudhary-Agentic-AI-In-Project-Management.pdf

About the Author

Archana Choudhary

Florida & Texas, USA

Archana Choudhary is Vice President at Deutsche Bank, with over 20 years of experience in IT project management. She is recognized expert in strategy execution, PMO leadership, and project portfolio management having led complex initiatives including bank acquisitions and mergers, as well as Agile transformations that unified siloed teams and stabilized fluctuating priorities under robust PMO structures.

A frequent speaker, author, and PMP mentor, Archana has contributed to PMI global standards and delivered presentations at various PMI chapters, including Dallas, Carolina, North East Florida, Miami Conference, Global Summit, Agile Asia Pacific symposium, among others.

She is an award-winning project management professional, honored at various platforms like Women in Tech as Global Technology Leader, PMI Phoenix. Recognized for leadership excellence, influence and strengthening professional PM communities, contributing to advancing women in project management.

Archana also serves as a judge for prestigious international awards, including PMI PMO Awards, startups and is regarded as a thought leader in the field. She can be contacted at www.linkedin.com/in/archana-choudhary-690875b0