with AI, Blockchain, and Digital Twin Integration
SECOND EDITION
By Antonio Bassi
Lugano, Switzerland
Abstract
The rapid evolution of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and digital twin technologies, is fundamentally reshaping the field of project management (Schwab, 2017; Tapscott & Tapscott, 2018). This transformation is not merely incremental but paradigm-shifting, redefining traditional business models and offering new avenues for project execution that are significantly more efficient, adaptive, and predictive (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). This paper explores these emerging technologies’ integration into contemporary project management frameworks and assesses their potential to enhance risk management, optimize strategic decision-making, and build unprecedented levels of transparency and trust among stakeholders (Zuboff, 2019).
Keywords: Project Management, AI, Blockchain, Digital Twin, IoT
- Introduction
In recent years, Project Management has undergone an unprecedented transformation, driven by increasing global interconnectedness, the acceleration of technological innovation, and the unpredictability of markets. In the past, projects were managed through strictly predictive approaches, such as PRINCE2 or the PMBOK, which provided a solid framework for planning, monitoring, and controlling activities (Turner, 2016). However, the rapid evolution of the economic and technological landscape has exposed the limitations of these models, which often prove inadequate in addressing the fragility and non-linearity of today’s project environments.
At the same time, the adoption of agile methodologies has introduced greater flexibility in project management, promoting an iterative approach focused on collaboration between teams and stakeholders (Conforto et al., 2014). Nonetheless, while Agile has proven effective in areas such as software development and digital innovation, it shows limitations in regulated environments or large-scale projects, where predictability and control remain essential elements (Bianchi et al., 2021). In response to growing complexity, a hybrid perspective has emerged, capable of integrating predictive and adaptive elements into a more flexible and scalable framework (PMI, 2021). This evolution has called for a new generation of Project Management models able to balance structure and agility to address the challenges posed by the BANI context (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible), which more accurately reflects today’s reality, characterized by exponential uncertainty, instability, and a loss of predictability.
A key factor in this transformation is the adoption of emerging technologies, which are reshaping project management practices and redefining the role of the project manager. Among the most significant innovations, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized predictive and decision-making capabilities through machine learning algorithms, enabling more data-driven management and better resource allocation (Marnewick et al., 2019). Blockchain has introduced new levels of transparency and security, enabling the creation of immutable ledgers and the automation of contractual processes through smart contracts, thereby reducing fraud risk and enhancing reliability in decision-making (Saberi et al., 2019). Digital Twin technology, on the other hand, has opened new horizons in the management of complex projects, allowing scenario simulation and performance optimization through interactive virtual models that reduce the margin of error and improve responsiveness to change (Grieves & Vickers, 2017).
The added value of INSPIRE PM lies in its ability to be customized, allowing project managers to select and combine the most suitable methodologies and technologies for the specific needs of their projects. Its dynamic nature enables a smooth integration of traditional and innovative processes, addressing the challenges of the BANI context with a more agile and strategic management style. The aim of this study is to analyze how the adoption of emerging technologies within the INSPIRE PM model can improve decision-making, risk management, and transparency in complex projects. The paper will examine the benefits of a hybrid approach enhanced by technology, through a comparative analysis of AI, Blockchain, and Digital Twin and their impact on Evolutionary Project Management. Through a literature review, the paper will demonstrate how INSPIRE PM can represent a new benchmark for project management, providing project managers with the advanced tools needed to successfully face the challenges of the future.
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Editor’s note: Second Editions are previously published papers that have continued relevance in today’s project management world, or which were originally published in conference proceedings or in a language other than English. Original publication acknowledged; authors retain copyright. This paper was originally presented at the 20th International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, 2-4 July 2025. It is republished here with the author’s permission.
How to cite this paper: Bassi, A. (2025). Developing a New Project Management Framework with AI, Blockchain, and Digital Twin Integration; originally presented at the20th International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics, University of Naples, Italy, July; republished in the PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue VIII, August. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/pmwj155-Aug2025-Bassi-New-PM-Framework-with-AI-Blockchain-Digital-Twin-2nd-Ed.pdf
About the Author
Antonio Bassi
Lugano, Switzerland
Antonio Bassi Is an Electronic Engineer by training, certified Project Management Professional (PMP), member of the Steering Committee of the Project Management Institute – Northern-Italy Chapter (PMI-NIC) from 2004 to 2008, Lecturer in Project Management in academic settings, President of the Project Management Association (APM-Ticino), author of numerous books and articles on project management, former member of the UNI team for the definition of ISO21500 standards for Project Management, with 20 years of experience as Project/Program Manager on innovative projects across various market sectors.
Antonio can be contacted at antonio.bassi60@gmail.com
