Top 5 Project Management Trends To Look Out For In 2022

Almost all sectors have endured some form of change over the last two years that may not have been foreseeable at the start of 2020. Project management as a discipline is no different. As multiple lockdowns and numerous ‘work from home’ directives have come and gone in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, those in the project management industry have had to contend with unprecedented challenges whilst trying to oversee projects. As a result, this has accelerated a number of trends that were already on the rise within project management prior to the pandemic, and facilitated the growth of a number of new project management trends.

But what does 2022 have in store for the world of project management and project management trends in particular? To help answer this question, here at Training Bytesize we have used our extensive knowledge and experience to identify the top 5 project management trends to look out for in 2022.

The Continuation of Hybrid Working
By definition, ‘hybrid working’ is when someone splits their time between working in the office and working remotely. While a move to this way of working was already increasing in popularity in early 2020, after the global pandemic took hold it quickly became the norm. For many, the enforced remote working during the lockdown periods proved to have a number of benefits, both professionally and personally. As a result, a large proportion of project management professionals have opted to incorporate ‘work from home’ days into their working week even if it is not a requirement.

As it is no longer a given that every member of a team will be present in the office at the same time, the rapid rise of hybrid working has had a significant impact on how projects are managed. With less opportunities for ad-hoc conversations and impromptu brainstorming sessions, processes have had to be altered, tools chosen carefully, and new ways of communicating established.

It is safe to say that hybrid working is here to stay and will continue to have a major bearing on how projects are managed in 2022.

The Increasing Popularity of Agile Project Management

‘Agile project management’ is an iterative approach to project management where a project is broken up into incremental steps that can be adjusted and changed but are kept in line with an overall vision. A way of working that facilitates adaptability and flexibility, the agile methodology brings a framework and structure to projects so teams maintain their focus in an environment that is constantly changing.

In recent years an increasing number of businesses around the world have adopted an agile approach to project management. Won over by the structure it provides, the speed it brings to development processes, the communication it encourages between teams, the reduction in risk it offers, and money it saves, these businesses have helped fuel the surge in popularity of the agile approach to project management.

Now considered one of the staple approaches to managing projects, the agile methodology will continue to grow in influence in 2022 as more and more organisations recognise its benefits.

If you are looking to become certified in agile project management, take a look at the globally recognised AgilePM certifications that we offer.

A Greater Emphasis Will be Placed on Soft Skills

While project management has always been a discipline that requires ‘people skills’, now, unlike ever before, it requires emotional intelligence to ensure a project is successfully executed within a given timeframe. As the importance of mental wellbeing and being in touch with our own emotions has moved to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years, project managers must now consider the needs and motivations of the members of their team when planning a project.

Alongside having technical know-how, individuals leading projects in 2022 must possess a range of ‘soft skills’ to effectively manage a team. Integral to conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, mentoring and training, decision-making, and team building is an emotional understanding of the individuals involved. Project managers who possess this skill are most likely to get the most out of their team and lead a project to the desired outcome.

Increasing Influence of AI and Automation
Over the last decade Artificial Intelligence (AI) has played an increasingly influential role in society. A recent study by Gartner estimated that 37% of organisations now use AI in the workplace. From manufacturing robots, to self-driving cars, to automated financial investing; the impact of AI has been felt in the majority of industries, including project management.

Using AI and automation technologies, project managers can now easily perform complex daily tasks that would have previously required a great deal of effort and time. Whether it is automating reports, scheduling, risk analysis, or putting together data visualisations; AI enables project managers to visualise data at pace and at scale, leading to better business decisions. In turn this ensures that their time is invested in tasks that will have a greater impact on their project reaching its strategic goals.

In 2022 AI and automation will continue to influence the way decisions are made and the processes associated with project management .

Growing Number of Project Management Tools
It seems almost unimaginable now, but there was once a time when projects were managed using simple computer programs, a fax machine, and a pen and paper. Now, the number of online tools and platforms at a project manager’s disposal is endless. On a seemingly weekly basis a new form of software is released that can make a project manager’s role easier and increases the chances of a project being successfully completed.

Aspects of project management that can be assisted by tools:

• Project planning – There are tools on the market that allow project managers to visualise project timelines and use data from previous projects to inform decisions.
• Communication and collaboration – Online communication platforms allow for information to be quickly passed between team members, clients and stakeholders.
• Scheduling and time tracking – There are a range of platforms that monitor the time spent on tasks and allow a user to schedule events, meetings and deadlines.
• Budgets and deadlines – A number of tools can assist with the delivering of projects within an allocated budget. 
• Progress tracking – There are many platforms that can help a project manager keep track of ongoing projects, making resource allocation easier. In 2022, established project management tools will continue to improve, and additional, handy tools will come onto the market.

Interested in taking a project management certification in 2022 to enhance your professional development, or want to know more about 2022’s project management trends? Get in touch with one of our experts today and we can suggest the best option based on your experience, objectives and existing knowledge of project management.