Organizations will begin creating virtual replicas—“digital twins”—of their projects to test scenarios and optimize solutions before going live. Although this concept has thrived in engineering, it’s just now crossing into mainstream project management.
In a rapid-fire look at three smaller trends, project management will see big changes in how we engage stakeholders, build custom PM tools, and draft contracts. These shifts each address a different pain point, but collectively move PM into a more dynamic, flexible era.
Many organizations will realize that using AI and big data without ethical standards can lead to biases, compliance issues, and costly mistakes. In 2025, PMs will take the first real steps toward owning data ethics—though the volume on this trend is only slightly turned up. We may have to wait until 2026 until this is a full roar.
AI will continue to handle repetitive tasks, but it won’t replicate human-centric skills like leadership and relationship management. PMs who focus on these softer skills will secure their place in an AI-driven world.
Project Managers will realize that basic AI skills and knowing how to write a prompt aren’t enough to stay competitive. Deeper AI literacy—including data management, ethical considerations, and strategic implementation—will become a PM career booster.
