Project Management in an AI world

In this article, Ian Christie, Change Architect at Marbral Advisory, explains how this shift is creating a new era for project delivery and responsibility.

Whether it’s the public sector’s push for smarter digital services in the Channel Islands, the rapid growth of fintech in Dublin, or the expansion of regional tech hubs in Belfast, Manchester, and Edinburgh, AI is quietly – but profoundly – changing how organisations deliver projects. For some, it’s already a competitive advantage. For others, it’s quickly becoming a line in the sand: adapt and thrive or fall behind.

A new era of delivery

Project management in these islands has long been grounded in structure, governance, and seasoned professional judgment. Those fundamentals aren’t going anywhere. But AI is reshaping how they come to life. Instead of replacing established methods like Waterfall or Agile, AI is giving them new energy by helping teams work smarter, spot risks earlier, and make decisions with greater clarity.

Waterfall reborn

Waterfall remains the backbone of many major initiatives, think infrastructure upgrades, health service programmes, energy transformation, and regulated financial projects. These efforts depend on predictability and detailed governance, which is exactly where AI shows its value.

Rather than relying solely on human interpretation of extensive documentation, AI can flag inconsistencies in requirements, highlight potential delivery risks before they emerge, and even automate the labour‑intensive reporting that often weighs down public‑sector and large‑scale programmes. The methodology stays the same; the experience becomes faster, sharper, and far more informed.

Agile with an extra gear

Agile is now standard across technology, banking, retail, and digital service teams. AI adds a new dimension to it. Sprint planning becomes more accurate because teams can see predictable blockers before they happen. Retrospectives become more meaningful when AI uncovers subtle patterns in performance that humans might not notice.

Perhaps the most transformative change is in product direction. AI gives teams real insight into customer behaviour, helping them shape backlogs based on what people actually do, not just what they say they want.

Why AI can’t wait

Our economy is moving at a pace that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Customers expect faster service. Regulators expect cleaner data. Boards expect clearer decisions. And competing organisations, whether in Jersey, London, Cork, or further afield, are already embedding AI into their delivery models.

Organisations that get ahead now are positioning themselves to move with more confidence and less friction. Those who hold back may find themselves  increasingly outmatched by competitors who can make better decisions with less effort.

There is plenty working in our favour: access to global talent, strong professional services sectors, world‑leading institutions, and diverse digital ecosystems. Ireland benefits from its multinational base; the UK benefits from its broad industry spread and innovation culture, the Channel Islands benefit from a robust regulatory framework and a strong international finance centre.

But challenges are real. SMEs in both countries often struggle with outdated tools and processes. Some industries still depend on legacy systems not designed for modern delivery. And although digital skills are improving, AI literacy and analytical capability remain patchy. Simply put: the ambition is there, but the capability needs nurturing.

Where AI Is already making a difference

Across both countries, the shift is well underway. Banks are using AI to identify delivery risks earlier. Government departments are speeding up reporting cycles with automation. Growing tech companies are using AI to balance resources, ensuring the right people are working on the right tasks at the right time.

Tools shaping the future

Modern project‑delivery platforms now come with AI baked in. Some summarise updates, some predict delays, and others help prioritise work based on emerging patterns. Tools like ClickUp AI, Jira’s intelligence add‑ons, Wrike, and Monday.com are becoming standard fixtures for delivery teams. The emphasis is shifting from administrative project management to intelligent, insight‑driven leadership.

With all the opportunities AI brings, organisations must stay mindful of risk. Data protection is non‑negotiable. AI‑generated insights need human oversight. And teams must be trained to use AI responsibly, not blindly. The goal isn’t to automate judgment, but to enhance it.

What’s coming next

Looking ahead, AI will become even more integrated into project workflows. Construction and infrastructure programmes may benefit from IoT‑driven updates. Generative AI will streamline documentation creation. Leadership teams will have access to decision‑support tools that react to market shifts in real time. These developments won’t replace project managers, they’ll elevate them.

A practical path forward

The starting point is straightforward: understand your current position and sort out your data. Then, identify where AI can make an immediate difference. Build capability gradually.

Pilot tools before rolling them out widely. Focus on value rather than novelty. With the right approach, AI becomes less of a disruption and more of a strategic advantage. AI isn’t a distant future for project management; it’s here now. The organisations that embrace it will build faster, adapt quicker, and future‑proof their delivery capabilities. Those who don’t may soon find themselves struggling to keep up.

Marbral Advisory offers strategic thinking, resource, and training for organisations going through change. The company is headquartered in Jersey and has a presence in Guernsey, the UK, Isle of Man and Ireland. Find out more about them on their website or contact their friendly team today:  [email protected]