The Future of Project Management: Trends and Technologies
BY Farooq Shah ’24 | 5 MIN READ
Project management is undergoing a massive transformation as industries adapt to new technologies, remote work environments and evolving methodologies. With businesses increasingly relying on AI, automation and digital collaboration, project managers must stay ahead of the curve to maximize their team’s efficiency and ensure their success. The future of project management is evolving, and project managers need to be prepared to evolve with it.
Professionals who have received a master’s degree in project management are armed with the tools needed to navigate industry-disrupting shifts like this, preparing them to excel as leaders in an ever-changing business landscape.
Whether you’re an aspiring project manager or a seasoned veteran, understanding these four key trends is crucial for long-term success:
1. AI and Automation: The Future of Project Decision-Making
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing project management by streamlining teams’ workflows, simplifying processes, improving accuracy and enhancing decision-making. AI-powered tools such as predictive analytics, automated scheduling and intelligent resource allocation enable project managers to optimize their entire team’s performance (Mikalef & Gupta, 2021). These tools are the future of project management, making them crucial skills for any business leader and essential elements of any practical management training program.
During my time managing remote teams, leveraging AI-driven analytics helped me track project progress, identify potential risks and adjust our strategies in real time. Tools like Microsoft Project, Jira and Salesforce helped me keep my team aligned and organized despite our different locations.
2. Remote and Hybrid Project Teams: The New Normal
The rise of remote and hybrid work models has transformed how teams collaborate. According to Gartner (2020), 74% of companies plan to make remote work permanent in some capacity. This means that project managers must now ensure seamless communication, maintain team engagement and drive productivity across multiple time zones and digital platforms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I managed a fiber and Wi-Fi infrastructure project that spanned multiple states. Using Zoom, Slack, Trello and other digital tools, I coordinated with engineers, vendors and stakeholders to successfully complete complex deployments on schedule despite never meeting in person.
3. The Shift to Agile and Hybrid Project Management
As companies adopt Agile and hybrid methodologies, traditional project management frameworks are evolving. The Project Management Institute’s most recent Pulse of the Profession Report (2024) found that Agile is now being used in industries beyond IT, including construction, health care and telecommunications.
In my experience leading large-scale IT infrastructure projects, Agile’s flexibility and iterative approach were extremely effective. Using Agile allowed me to adapt quickly to changes and maintain momentum in our projects even when we faced roadblocks.
4. Sustainability and Ethical Project Management
Sustainability is also becoming a major focus in project management, with companies integrating green project management (GPM) principles into their operations (Silvius & Schipper, 2014). Project managers must now balance cost, efficiency and environmental impact while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Why Elmhurst’s MPM Program?
My experiences leading a remote fiber and Wi-Fi infrastructure team based in New York while living in Chicagoland during the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of adaptability and technological integration in project management. Knowing this, I decided to join Elmhurst University’s master of project management (MPM) program to upscale both my technical and soft project management skills.
Elmhurst’s MPM program prepares students to take full advantage of powerful technologies, shaping them into future-ready leaders in their unique fields. It emphasizes virtual leadership, stakeholder engagement and digital collaboration strategies and communication, ensuring students are prepared for this new era of project management.
At Elmhurst, students learn to integrate Agile, Scrum and traditional project management methodologies, equipping them with a versatile skill set applicable across industries. With a firm foundation in all these approaches, they are prepared to identify the best response to any situation that may impact a project’s progress.
Elmhurst MPM students also explore ethical leadership and sustainable project strategies, preparing them to lead initiatives that benefit both their organization and the environment. In my work managing infrastructure projects, I have seen firsthand how proactively seeking energy-efficient solutions and engaging in ethical decision-making can improve outcomes and help ensure long-term project success.
Next Steps
Elmhurst University’s master of project management program provides the strategic mindset, technical skills and leadership expertise needed to navigate any modern project management challenge. With a practical curriculum focused on emerging technologies, risk management and adaptive leadership, students graduate ready to pioneer in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
The future of project management is here. Are you ready to be a part of it? Explore Elmhurst University’s MPM program today and take the next step in your career!
Elmhurst University alum Farooq Shah ’24, MPM, PMP, PMI-ACP is a seasoned project manager, educator, mentor and active member of the PMI Chicagoland community with nearly two decades of experience leading complex projects to success. He specializes in Agile methodologies and infrastructure project execution and continuously strives to inspire and empower the next generation of project leaders.
