Change is endemic in project management. Every project is different, and your management techniques shift slightly to accommodate each. In fact, the entire PM toolkit changes over time too. Project managers have been through Gantt charts, waterfall techniques and agile. The PM role is always changing, says project management writer Andrew Conrad. 

Two technologies — the Internet of Things and automation — are set to deliver more innovations. These could make your job a whole lot different, and possibly even more interesting.

Internet of Things: Shaping Your Future Projects

The Internet of Things (IoT) involves connecting devices to the internet. Almost everything from refrigerators to cars to dog collars can be hooked up to send and receive information. "We forecast that there will be more than 64 billion IoT devices by 2025, up from about 10 billion in 2018, and 9 billion in 2017," writes Peter Newman, senior research analyst at Business Insider.

Some of those connected pieces could help you manage workflows efficiently.

"IoT enabled devices are slated to reduce the workload of project managers, especially where gathering and organizing data is concerned. Now, instead of spending valuable time (sometimes days and even weeks) compiling data, systems connected via the IoT will provide steady updates from devices they are supposed to keep track of," writes Sapna Hiremath at Computer Aid's Accelerating IT Success.

If you're struggling to imagine how this might work, you're not alone. It's difficult to determine how more data could make your work easier and not more complicated. Consider this example from the construction industry.

"You could be watching a construction sequence and know where all your equipment and people are, not just to do a safety analysis—to make sure they’re not working on top of each other or hurting each other or causing risks to each other—but are they working in the most productive way? It's like we're able to view into a crystal ball,” says John Jurewicz, technical optimization leader at Walbridge Construction.

The insights you'll gather from all this data could help you manage your current project — and you might use a few of those lessons to help you prepare for the next one headed your way.

How Can You Prepare for IoT?

A Gartner survey suggests that 80 percent of organizations that adopt IoT technologies are achieving results that are better than they expected. Nick Jones, vice president and analyst at research and advisory company Gartner, says these are self-defined results, so errors could creep in. But the data is tantalizing. 

To see for yourself, consider adding an IoT element to a small project, rather than jumping in with both feet on the largest piece of work you have.

"To control budgets, show value and maximise benefits, a cost-effective route is to begin with a small pilot which can be implemented to uncover the true need for digital transformation. That way, an organisation should have all the vital information to hand, in order to make a decision into exactly what is needed – and utilise IoT’s benefits to the full," writes Alex Wilkinson, chief operating officer at managed services provider Solutionize Global.

A project equipped with IoT allows every person on your team access to metrics that once remained hidden. However, they'll look to you for guidance which means it’s critical for you to learn as much as you can before the first day of work arrives.

"One of the truisms coming out of the IoT space is that project managers will be needed to direct the IoT initiatives that will inevitably come up, especially for larger companies. As such, PMs will be on the front lines and will be required to learn the ins and outs of IoT. This places them in a strong position to be advocates and specialists in the field," according to project management consultant Chris Pettigrew.

Share the insights you pick up, so your team can come up to speed quickly. And encourage your team to share with others.

"Your project team will need ongoing support from your systems, network, database, storage and IT operations functions because IoT will impact all of them. These subsets of IT often function as disciplinary silos. It will be your job as project manager to get them working cooperatively with your team as the help is needed," Mary Shacklett explains at TechRepublic.

Automation: The PM Friend You Didn't Know You Had

Automation is slightly different than IoT technology, but both involve computers to ease inefficiencies.

"At its core, automation is about solving a problem and reducing error by reliably offloading manual work done by a human to a machine. The goal is to reduce time-consuming, repetitive, and routine work, and to maximize the repeatability and predictability of results," writes Brianna Hansen at online project management platform Wrike.

When you read about automation, your brain might immediately begin thinking about job loss. If a computer can run a project as well as you can, might your position disappear? "Automation doesn’t generally eliminate jobs. Automation generally eliminates dull, tedious, and repetitive tasks. If you remove all the tasks, you remove the job. But that’s rare,” explains Hal Varian, chief economist at Google.

Instead, you might use automation to help you tackle the routine tasks that keep a project running.

"So much of project management in documenting: what’s been done, what tasks need work, and next steps. All of this documentation lets teams learn from their mistakes and improve, but ensuring all those notes get shared with the right recipients should happen automatically," says Tamara Scott at work management software provider Project Insight.

With a large enough data set (and a skilled programmer), automation could take on even more project management tasks. Artificial intelligence technology lets your computer learn from mistakes and optimize performance accordingly.

"When applied to a PM’s job, AI enables 'lights-out' project management, in which software handles the project from quoting to invoicing without the need for human interaction," explains Hélène Pielmeier, director of LSP service at market research firm CSA Research. Your company might not be ready for this level of machine management. Still, it pays to learn as much as you can about what's possible, so you'll be ready when the right opportunity comes along.

"It is never too early to prepare for the future. To get ready for automation’s advances tomorrow, executives must challenge themselves to understand the data and automation technologies on the horizon today," Michael Chui, James Manyika and Mehdi Miremadi write for McKinsey Digital.

Three Tips to Help You Prepare for Tech Changes

Both IoT and automation come with opportunities. But they both have the ability to cause disruption. A few adjustments made now could help you handle these changes like a pro.

Tip 1: Nail Down Security Concerns

With enhanced connections and computer involvement come enhanced hacking concerns. As a project manager, you won't be asked to solve those problems yourself. But you can train your staff to help out.

"People and culture are the foundation of all cybersecurity. Are there systems in place to prevent an insider attack? Training programs must be implemented to inform and educate employees on what to avoid and how to take action if an attack were to occur, whether internal or external," Chad Gray, Harshul Joshi and Aaron Schamp write for PWC.

Update your manuals to highlight security rules, and reiterate them in meetings with your teams.

Tip 2: Get Ready to Innovate

You probably have go-to problem-solving techniques. Prepare to shift them a bit as new technology enters your company.

"With advances in technology, upper management demands more, on tighter deadlines. In this environment, traditional methods of problem-solving are no longer as effective as they used to be," writes Syed Fazal, vice president of strategy and change at JPMorgan Chase.

Tap into all of the new data you're given as you investigate a solution to a problem. Use computer modeling and automation to solve it in the future. Add flex to your routines to solve pesky issues as they come up.

Tip 3: Centralize Data

It can be tempting to keep your IoT data and automation innovations in silos. That way, they won't contaminate the rest of your work. But, that isolation can make more work for your team.

"Project management software should act as a center point for teams, where work can be done across various programs, while information and project updates sync seamlessly with the project management tool. Instead of the added chore of logging in to a separate program to cross off a list or enter a billable time, project management functions should be embedded into the team member’s regular routine," writes Steve West, cofounder and CEO of work management software provider Project Insight.

Your IT teams can help you with this crucial step. And your team can give feedback on the solution you provide.