The March of AI Generative AI (artificial intelligence) is the latest step in the evolution of complex, high performing algorithms that can generate content. While generative techniques have been around for a long time (AI is not a new thing), with the advent of large and powerful artificial neural nets (ANNs) they have exploded into the public imagination with chat bots such as ChatGPT, closely followed by open source models such as Facebook’s Llama.

Why should you embrace uncertainty? Answer: to see the world differently. We can comprehend and turn uncertainty to our advantage. Here’s how. In this short article I want to share some thoughts on how we can benefit from this way of thinking, along with a chart that you may find really useful. Delivery Professionals If you’re reading this, you’re likely to be a delivery professional. Someone who cares about outcomes. Regardless of your chosen methodology - be it agile, kanban, iterative, hybrid etc.

Another webinar delivered! On 12 Mar 2024 James addressed 330 delegates (a personal record) in an APM webinar ‘Real World Project Management Series - Transforming Project Delivery with Data Science’. Some feedback: “I can truly relate with James - he is a a fantastic example at showcasing and applying the true potential of data driven systematic workflows.” and: “Enjoyed the content immensely” Here are some highlights! Thinking like a Scientist Generating reliable (testable) predictions on project evolution is hard because:

Predict for Jira - Now released! Those of you who follow me will know that I’m passionate about the benefits of data science in project, product and programme delivery. I’m therefore delighted to announce the release of Predict for Jira, Project Science’s new plugin for Atlassian Jira Cloud! Predict for Jira helps you to estimate the range of durations and story points of your open Jira tickets. Using predictive analytics, it can help you to answer the perennial question: “How long will it take?

Combining AI with Creativity in Delivery I really enjoyed meeting everyone at Association for Project Management and Gate One’s joint event on “Transforming Project Delivery with AI and a Creative Mindset” on Wednesday evening in London. As a panellist alongside Vijay K. Luthra and Spiro Comitis we addressed a range of questions on how to ensure that AI serves our teams without detracting from creative performance. We talked about how Large Language Models can help with lessons learned, the importance of integrating AI with our teams sensitively and effectively, and how workloads will change in risk management, planning and controls through predictive analytics and automation.

Are you an expert in Jira? We (Project Science) are developing a powerful new app for Jira, and we’re now looking for alpha testers to trial our product before release. Tightly integrated into your Jira Cloud workflow, our app uses natural language processing, machine learning and predictive analytics to “learn from the past to help you predict the future”. Agile teams will benefit from more robust and self-consistent plans that are underpinned with data, helping your project to:

I thoroughly enjoyed presenting yesterday at EVA29, organised by Steve Wake (https://www.stevewake.com/eva) This took place on Thursday 2 November 2023 at Armourers’ Hall, Moorgate, London. A big shout out to Steve Wake for organising a brilliant event, and to the wonderful delegates. There was much networking, and we all learnt about “People and Data - What are the wise choices we must make?”. The venue is stunning too.

On 16 March 2023 James presented an APM real world webinar - Designing and Delivering with Data – transforming project delivery with data science. James asked the question: how can we deliver our complex projects and programmes with certainty and confidence? Project data science signposts the way. We live in a universe of data; like the James Web Space Telescope we are making new discoveries every day. But how can we best observe the project cosmos, and how can we make use of our discoveries to predict the future?

Project Science Ltd presented a challenge at Project:Hack 18. The challenge, tackled by a team of data scientists and analysts, is how can we auto-generate work breakdown structures? For more information visit, Project:Hack18 APM.

In this event, organised by the APM governance SIG, James will join a panel of subject matter experts to assess the problems with projects ‘in the large’. We will explore how we can transform project success through data-enabled investment decisions. The event forms part of the series “Effective governance, unlocking data and project success”. We will assesses the problem at large with project success, the concept of reference class forecasting to inform investment decisions and the principle that ‘all projects are data designed and data enabled’.

On 7 December 2022 I presented my talk “How do you know your project is on track? The role of data” to the APM Midlands branch in Worcester. Building data-designed and enabled projects: Thanks to Temi and the APM Midlands branch for organising a very interesting and enjoyable event.

A question we get asked quite often is: how do we estimate agile projects? And our reaction is nearly always: what’s different about agile? We are of course, being tongue-in-cheek! Agile is different, but not so different that all the techniques in waterfall, iterative, hybrid project management should be thrown out the window. You can use comparative and parametric estimating, benchmarking, and so on. In fact, you should use these, because without an idea of how much work you’re taking on, how can you be confident you have about the right size team for the job?

We presented three challenges at the Project:Hack 17. Optimising Delivery through Collaboration Insights narrative WBS Automation - Planning Crossrail 2 narrative WBS Automation - Understanding WBS diversity narrative

Project Science is leading the Visions workstream within the Project Data Analytics Task Force. We’ve set ourselves the challenge of a ten-fold improvement in project delivery outcomes by 2025. Just one in two hundred projects achieves its original time, cost and quality goals. Imagine the savings if we can lift that to one in twenty. Workstreams To work toward this goal, we’ve developed a set of workstreams, including: WBS Automation NextGen PMO Human Performance Benefits Management These workstreams have devised some challenges for the upcoming Project:Hack 17 - see you there!

EVA26, organised by Steve Wake, took place on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th March 2022 at Armourers’ Hall, Moorgate, London. Our founder, James Lea, presented “The psychology of estimating and planning - working with your team.” For a video interview with James and a summary of the key points, visit https://youtu.be/qmE-huseZR4?t=7318 Emotions, Plans and Predictions Last time you gave an estimate, were you: Under pressure? Distracted? Worried your numbers will be used against you?