AI Today Podcast: The Critical AI and Data Skills Needed for AI Project Managers
Jan 3, 2024
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AI project managers need specific AI and data skills, such as project integration, data-driven decision making, continuous iteration, and trustworthiness. They also discuss the CPMAI methodology and best practices for managing AI projects.
AI project managers need to be well-versed in managing data lifecycles, data quality, and data preparation.
Effective communication and scope management are crucial for AI project managers to navigate the complexities and trade-offs involved in AI projects.
Deep dives
Critical AI and Data Skills for Project Managers
Project managers need specific AI and data skills to successfully manage AI projects. While traditional project management skills are a good foundation, AI projects require additional expertise. Understanding data is crucial, as it is the heart of AI projects. Project managers should be well-versed in managing data lifecycles, data quality, and data preparation. They also need a good understanding of AI approaches, including model development, model evaluation and testing, and data engineering. Trustworthiness is a key aspect of AI projects, and project managers must prioritize ethical and responsible use of AI. Strong critical thinking skills are necessary to navigate the complexities and trade-offs involved in AI projects.
Communication and Scope Management in AI Projects
Effective communication is essential for AI project managers, as they will work with diverse teams and stakeholders. Managing highly diverse teams, including AI and ML engineering teams, data engineering teams, and operational and IT teams, requires clear and effective communication across boundaries. Scope management is also crucial, as AI projects often face challenges when the scope does not align with the available data or AI capabilities. Project managers must excel in managing scope and prioritize short iterations to accommodate the fast-paced nature of AI projects.
CPMAI Methodology for AI Project Management
To successfully manage AI projects, project managers should adopt the CPMAI methodology. CPMAI provides an AI-specific project management approach that emphasizes understanding the problem, data, and model lifecycle. It involves six phases: problem understanding, data understanding, data preparation, model building, model evaluation, and model deployment. AI project managers also need to focus on cross-organizational communication, critical thinking, and managing the complexities and technical nature of AI projects.
AI projects are really data-centric projects. After all, data is the heart of AI. So it should come as no surprise that project managers who are managing AI projects need to move beyond just general project management skills. These provide a good foundation for managing schedules, resources, and the people needed to meet organizational goals.