Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Project Management: A Misunderstood Relationship

The aim of this article is to explain how AI is influencing project management. Although I deliver a course related to this subject, I thought preparing an article would be useful as well. 

There are two fundamentally different situations when combining AI with project management. I call them “AI-assisted project management” and “AI-creation projects.” Let’s examine these two cases:

 Case 1: AI-assisted project management

This case is about using AI tools in project management activities. Many AI tools are available to support project teams in their daily work. These tools can be used to assist with tasks such as analyzing project data, preparing reports, summarizing meetings, generating ideas, evaluating alternatives, etc. These tools can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and free up time for more strategic decision-making. Although their use may depend on organizational policies, they are a standard part of project management in many industries. However, this represents only one side of the story.

 Case 2: AI-creation projects

This case is about managing projects that create AI products. In this context, lack of knowledge and various misunderstandings are frequently encountered. Therefore, the rest of this article focuses on this case.

1. Waterfall project management 

In this approach, a detailed project plan is created. The plan is approved, establishing a baseline. Then, the project team attempts to follow this plan. On the other hand, AI development is inherently experimental and iterative. It’s more realistic to respond to changes as they occur rather than to generate a detailed plan and attempt to follow it. Therefore, relying solely on the Waterfall project management approach isn’t suitable for this case.

2. Agile project management 

In this approach, the product is delivered in small increments, which are delivered continuously. The customer and other stakeholders provide feedback continuously. Based on the feedback, the team makes small adjustments. When the project aims to create an AI product,the product is not delivered in small increments. Therefore, relying solely on the Agile project management approach isn’t suitable for this case.

3. Hybrid project management (combining Waterfall and Agile approaches) 

As explained above, trying to establish a stable baseline is unrealistic, and the product is not delivered in small increments. Therefore, combining these two approaches doesn’t provide an effective management strategy for this case. Neither approach addresses the unique characteristics of AI-creation projects.

4. Managing Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects

Projects that create AI products differ from traditional projects in an important way: the resulting solution is probabilistic rather than deterministic. It depends heavily on the available data. Therefore, we need a data-centric approach where the aim is to generate a probabilistic solution. A suitable approach is to iteratively use the CRISP-DM (CRoss-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining) framework or a modified version of it. Here, the project goes through the following phases:

a. Business Understanding

b. Data Understanding

c. Data Preparation

d. Modeling

e. Evaluation

f. Deployment

 Conclusion

AI is influencing project management in two distinct ways. First, project teams are increasingly using AI tools to support their daily work. Second, organizations are launching projects whose goal is to build AI products. When a project aims to create an AI product, traditional project management approaches, used in their standard form, are often not sufficient. We need a different approach because AI projects are data projects.

 About the author

Can Izgi, PMI-CPMAI, PMP is an instructor and consultant specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and project management. Since 2005, he has been delivering professional courses and workshops on these subjects.

Dear PMI Switzerland Chapter Community

In a few days, we will gather to celebrate a very special milestone: 25 years of PMI Switzerland. As we count down to this unforgettable evening, we would like to take a moment to recognize the people who have made it possible: our volunteers.

Behind the scenes, for six months, 11 dedicated members of our community have been planning, coordinating, designing, organizing, and refining every detail of this celebration. Their commitment, professionalism, and passion are the reason this anniversary event will be such a meaningful and memorable experience.

For 25 years, volunteers have been the heart of PMI Switzerland. They organize events, support initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and continuously create value for our members. The upcoming anniversary is not only a celebration of our history, it is also a celebration of their dedication.

To every volunteer involved in making this milestone possible: Thank you for your time, your energy, and your belief in our community.

Your engagement is what transforms PMI Switzerland from an association into a vibrant, living community.

We look forward to celebrating this week together and to honouring the spirit of collaboration that has defined us for 25 years.

With sincere appreciation,

Martin Härri, Linda Vasquez

25th Anniversary Team  

On 27 January 2026, PMI Switzerland hosted an insightful and energizing session in Basel titled “Leadership Under Pressure: Project Manager Skills for High-Stakes Situations.” The keynote was delivered by Catherine Peloquin, a Learning & Organizational Development Consultant, Communications Professional, and Executive Coach known for her work in performance under pressure, executive presence, and burnout prevention.

Introducing the Speaker: Catherine Peloquin

Catherine brings a unique blend of expertise across leadership development, communication, and human performance. Her background as an executive coach and nature guide enriches her approach to helping leaders navigate demanding environments with clarity and resilience. She supports leaders and teams in strengthening executive presence, improving communication under stress, and building sustainable performance habits.

Her session in Basel reflected her signature style - practical, grounded, and deeply human.

An Engaging and Encouraging Session

Upon arrival, we were given the task of scribbling down one of the most frequently encountered challenges from our day-to-day life, as well as being clear on the desired outcome from the session. It was really encouraging for most of us who were attending our first PMI session.

From the very first moments, the session sparked the audience’s curiosity and pulled everyone right in. Catherine’s vibrant facilitation style brought in active participation, thoughtful reflection, and open discussion. Attendees were not passive listeners; they were invited to explore their own reactions under pressure, experiment with new tools, and share experiences from their professional lives. 

The atmosphere stayed lively and engaging throughout, with several moments of collective insight as participants recognized shared challenges and opportunities in high-stakes project environments. The experience even included some strengthening squats, highlighting the importance of teams.

Key Themes and Insights

1. Understanding the Pressure Response

Catherine introduced the Stimulus - Response model (Input-> Internal Response->Outer behavior/performance), emphasizing the “space” between the two, where leaders have the power to choose their reaction. Drawing on Viktor Frankl’s well‑known insight from Man’s Search for Meaning, she highlighted how awareness and intentionality can transform performance under stress.

Participants explored the Stress Cascade, learning how cortisol, adrenaline, narrowed thinking, and survival responses (fight, flight, freeze) can influence decision-making and team dynamics.

2. Creating Safety in High‑Pressure Situations

A central theme was the importance of psychological and relational safety. Catherine demonstrated how posture, tone, facial cues, and environmental awareness can shift a conversation from tension to collaboration.

She encouraged leaders to recognize “armor” - the protective behaviors people adopt under threat - and to own their impact without judgment.

3. Practical Tools for Immediate Use

The session offered actionable techniques, including:

• Pause – Observe – Connect – Choose
  A simple yet powerful framework to interrupt automatic reactions, eg, take a deep breath and one of the participants suggested that counting teeth could also be one.
• Lean In / Lean Out / Be the Change 
  Strategies for adjusting presence and communication depending on the situation.
  
  
• Sentence Starters 
  Practical phrases to de-escalate tension, such as:
  “I want to slow us down, so we don’t miss what matters.” 
  “My intention here is clarity, not blame.”

These tools resonated strongly with participants, who appreciated their simplicity and real-world applicability. 

Grounded in Real-Life Examples

Throughout the session, Catherine shared relatable examples drawn from her coaching practice and leadership work. These stories illustrated how project managers often face high-stakes decisions, interpersonal friction, and time‑critical challenges as well as how small shifts in awareness and communication can dramatically improve outcomes.

Participants also contributed by sharing their own experiences, creating a rich exchange of practical insights. This blend of theory and lived reality made the session especially impactful.

Building Capacity for Sustainable Performance

Catherine closed by reminding the audience that capacity is consumed under pressure but rebuilt through recovery. She emphasized the importance of rhythm, emotional steadiness, and intentional communication, not only for individual resilience but also for team trust and performance.

A Valuable Learning Experience for the PMI Community

The Basel event was a strong start to the 2026 PMI Switzerland calendar. Attendees left with renewed confidence, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of how to lead effectively when stakes are high.

PMI Switzerland extends its gratitude to Catherine Peloquin for delivering such an engaging and meaningful session, and to all participants who contributed to the lively and thoughtful discussions.