SECOND EDITION
By Rizwan Amin Sheikh, PMP, PhD
Rebecca Jarvis, PMP
Jeremiah Whitehall, PMP
Faiza Jawad, PMP
Texas & Washington, USA
Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT have been the talk of the town lately. Why not? Considering the fact that ChatGPT acquired one million users in only four days and 100 million users in just two months of launching, it makes perfect sense for project managers and corporate executives to make it a discussion topic. ChatGPT grew 75% faster than any tech giant in recent times. Thus, Project Managers around the world have been scrambling to figure out the impact of AI and Chatbots on projects and their careers.
This paper discusses three pathways project managers and executives can follow to launch products and successfully implement projects through AI tools such as ChatGPT, Bard, Jasper, and others. The authors review how real-life companies such as Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and Khan Academy have leveraged AI using ubiquitous mobile devices to enhance their customer base and revenues.
The paper also describes the three techniques project managers and executives can immediately utilize to implement Chatbots such as ChatGPT and enhance project success and their companies’ bottom line. The three ChatGPT pathways that are discussed in the paper include:
- Exploiting a Current Value proposition
- Expanding the Value Proposition
- Exploring a New Value Proposition
We also explore whether AI tools and software pose any threats or present opportunities to the project managers and the projects. A few research studies have shown that AI could have a profound impact on the world economy. Some industries might see a job loss due to the introduction of AI, especially those that do not adapt. Economists euphemistically call this “adjustment costs.”
Learning Objectives
- Explain the three pathways to implement AI tools such as ChatGPT and deliver projects successfully.
- Analyze how companies like Uber, Lyft, Instacart and Khan Academy have used ChatGPT to boost revenues.
- Discuss if AI tools such as ChatGPT, Bard, Copilot, and others are a threat or opportunity for project managers and projects.
- Describe how Project Managers can utilize AI tools and software such as Asana, ClickUP, Monday.com and others to enhance the project success rate and efficiency.
Each year, around $48 trillion is dedicated to project investments. However, according to the Standish Group, only 35% (about $16.8 trillion) of these projects are deemed successful. The staggering amount of wasted resources and missed benefits from the remaining 65% (about $31.2 trillion) is truly astounding. Hence, the need for modernization and use of AI tools in project management. The three pathways along with the AI tools and software mentioned in this paper explain how the projects can be delivered successfully and possibly save some of the wasted resources.
Here’s how project managers, executives, and companies can implement AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, Jasper, and others to enhance project success and their companies’ bottom line through the three discussed pathways:
More…
To read entire paper, click here
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 16th UT Dallas PM Symposium in May 2024. It is republished here with the permission of the author and conference organizers.
How to cite this paper: Sheikh, R. A., Jarvis, R., Whitehall, J., Jawad, F. (2024). Managing Projects Successfully through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT; presented at the 16th University of Texas at Dallas Project Management Symposium in Richardson, TX, USA in May 2024; republished in the PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue IX, September. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pmwj145-Sep2024-Sheikh-et-al-Managing-Projects-Successfully-through-AI-and-ChatGPT.pdf
About the Authors
Rizwan A. Sheikh, PMP, MBA, Ph.D.
Dallas, Texas, USA
Dr. Rizwan A. Sheikh is a highly accomplished professional and a dynamic leader, with over 25 years of extensive experience in business and digital transformations, IT, AI, project and program management, strategy, academia, PMO, and cloud-based ERP implementations (including platforms like Oracle, SAP, and Microsoft). His area of expertise extends to data science, big data analysis, and management consulting with esteemed firms such as Deloitte. Dr. Sheikh has an impressive track record of markedly enhancing the success of mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, such as PepsiCo, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, STERIS, Eaton Corporation, German Hospitals Group, Deloitte Consulting, and Progressive Insurance. His innovative and results-driven approach has been pivotal in securing multimillion-dollar savings, fostering revenue growth, and enhancing operational efficiencies for these companies. These accomplishments have been achieved through business and digital transformations, innovative business and IT strategy, capitalizing on big data analytics, comprehensive ERP implementations, proficient PMO leadership, and the integration of AI into project management frameworks.
Equipped with over two decades of experience and a robust educational background, including a Ph.D. in Strategy, Project, and Program Management, an MBA, and a B.Sc. in Information Systems, he has made a lasting impact on global companies. Dr. Sheikh is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Additionally, he has been honored with the “Microsoft Award for Innovative Vision and Dynamic Leadership.” Besides his professional achievements, Dr. Sheikh is the author of “Blue Shark Team-Building: Leading High-Performance Teams during a Crisis,” a seminal work offering invaluable insights for navigating through global crises like Covid-19.
Dr. Sheikh has occupied leadership roles, including Chairman of the IT Board, President of PMI Chapter, Board Member, CEO, and a Senior Executive position at Deloitte Consulting, among others. Moreover, he is a Professor of Practice and serves as an Affiliate Faculty at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, University of Cambridge, and others, where he has taught leadership, strategy, and project management.
Rebecca Jarvis, PMP
Seattle, Washington, USA
Rebecca Jarvis has been a practicing Project Manager for over 15 years in various sectors. After earning her MA from the University of Chicago, she started her career at UNUM as a business analyst. After a couple of years translating business needs into technical requirements, she transitioned to project management where she worked closely with broker services to ensure projects impacting large national partners were executed on time and within budget. She then moved into the Energy sector, securing a position as a consultant with Bonneville Power Administration. She helped execute several medium sized initiatives that allowed the agency to reduce costs by more accurately forecasting resources according to the needs and priorities set by agency leadership. She then moved into the healthcare sector managing large projects including Epic implementations and upgrades, data center migrations and modernization initiatives, data and analytics projects including new EDW and MDM builds. After several years, she transitioned to a boutique consulting firm, specializing in helping Washington state agencies implement large COTS solutions. She has primarily focused on ERP solutions across several agencies. Rebecca is also the Practice Director for the project management practice at Liberum, where she not only executes projects but also assists her team in ensuring clients get best in class consulting services.
Jeremiah Whitehall, PMP
Seattle, Washington, USA
Jeremiah Whitehall, PMP is a Founder and Partner of Liberum, a highly successful project management and organizational change management consulting firm based in Seattle, Washington. He has more than 20 years of experience assisting large-scale companies and public-sector organizations across the US with business and organizational transformations, project management, software development, supply chain management, learning and development, lean, and six sigma projects.
Jeremiah specializes in program and project management, portfolio management, PMO, and building strong and healthy cultures for internal and external stakeholders so that everyone achieves true success.
Leveraging his project management, business transformation, lean, and six sigma experience, Jeremiah has led teams and initiatives at various organizations and achieved multimillion-dollar savings for his clients. Some of his key accomplishments include:
- Successfully led a multimillion-dollar implementation of a cloud-based labor system for the 7,200 employees of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The project achieved its vision, mission, and objectives. In addition, under Jeremiah’s leadership, the team met all scheduled milestones and successfully delivered the planned scope within the budgeted amount.
- Led a cost savings initiative that realized over $500 million in annual savings by reducing product waste at one of his clients.
- Spearheaded a business process improvement program at a client focusing on supply chain processes driving over $3.0 million in annual savings.
- Managed and led a multimillion-dollar project portfolio.
- Setup and managed business PMOs for various clients.
- Leveraged Lean Six Sigma methodology to execute Kaizen and achieved operational improvements and multimillion-dollar cost savings for several clients.
Some of Jeremiah’s key clients include:
- Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Washington
- Department of Ecology, Washington
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
- Campbell and others
Faiza Jawad, PMP, MBA
Lahore, Pakistan
Faiza Jawad is a distinguished professional with over 20 years of experience in project management, higher education pedagogy, strategic business development, marketing strategy, dynamic social media campaign coordination, dedicated career counseling, research and development, intercontinental partnerships, and effective team leadership. Her expertise in steering high-performance teams through challenging situations has been instrumental in surpassing organizational aspirations. Faiza’s expertise includes collaborations with premier global institutions like Harvard and MIT, where she has skillfully orchestrated executive education programs. In addition, she has adeptly administered prominent academic endeavors, including MBA courses, and has held the reins of the career services and placement departments, demonstrating a remarkable blend of leadership and operational excellence. She is PMP Certified and holds a Bachelor’s degree and MBA in Finance.
