Three Challenges Facing Project Managers Over the Next 5 - 10 Years - Project Management Scholarship Winning Essay

Thank you to all of the students who submitted essays for our 2023 Project Management Scholarship. The topic this year was "Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, what do you think will be the three most significant challenges for project managers, and how would you deal with them?" Congratulations to Audrey Frejoles, whose winning essay we are proud to publish below.

      Project managers hold a vital importance and responsibility in the team as they oversee, execute, plan, and close projects as stated by the budget, deadline, and quality expectations. They are responsible for managing project materials, finances, as well as ensure that the team is on track to completing project goals.

   The first challenge I predict project managers will encounter is maintaining a solid work environment with the rise of remote work. Since the pandemic, many businesses have evolved their way of communication and use the internet to host meetings, interviews and other events that normally would be done in person. Even films like “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once”, which won multiple Oscars this year, were edited at home. The acceleration of remote work is an experience that many people are still getting accustomed to, and there is a high probability that many teams will continue to function remotely after the pandemic is over. Working remotely might pose some challenges to the maximization of the team’s potential as there are aspects of physical congregation that just cannot be replicated with a screen. The aspect of human connection, if you will. The water-cooler conversations, the terse greetings in the break room, and team bonding activities all make a difference in promoting collaboration and accountability for each other’s work ethic. Not only that, remote work blurs the lines between one’s work and one’s personal life, and there are many recounts of people’s mental health declining while adjusting to remote work.

      Project managers will have to find a way to build the same sense of work environment that a physical office or space accomplishes, while also finding solutions to tackle burn-out. They will have to actively learn and utilize digital tools to build accountability within the team. An example of this would be to do a weekly check-in among the team and update each other on the state of their well-being in and outside of work. Productivity and success cannot marry when the team lacks rapport and proper communication. There is much room for innovation with remote work, as project managers will have to think of creative ways to achieve team spirit. Team spirit, in spirit. One could find activities the whole team has accessibility to at home, and utilize that as a team bonding exercise. Growing up in Singapore, I quickly learned and embraced that exercise was essential to maximizing your potential in all areas of your life. Naturally, yoga or mere stretching exercises come to mind. My Filipino blood gravitates me towards the idea of karaoke parties, which is something that still could be done online. There are many platforms, like Zoom, that enable that to happen. There are even websites where people can tune in with others to watch a film while being able to see and hear each other’s reactions to it.

      The second Challenge I believe project managers will face is cybersecurity. As more businesses and companies migrate online, I believe that data security could be a concern in the near future, as there are laws and bills that politicians are trying to pass that would lead to the policing and censoring of the internet, as well as unrestricted access to people's information if they believe that there is a reasonable cause to. It is especially concerning if the company or project requires the collaboration of international affairs. RESTRICT Act, for example, states that any telecommunication products or services, including hardware, software, and other services, that are made by or used to communicate with foreign adversaries is illegal. If passed, that bill could lead to difficulty in communicating with foreign partners. It could create a sense of weariness in the workplace. Project managers and their respective teams will have to be trained in identifying cyberthreats to ensure the security of project data. Not only that, project managers will have to stay updated on future laws that relate to data security. The team will have to actively practice online etiquette to ensure the legality of communicating, especially if they have to communicate with project members outside of the United States.

      Lastly, the final challenge I believe project managers will face is sustainability. Climate change, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources are a few examples of the challenges we face as a society. Project managers have an essential role in executing sustainability as they are in charge of project materials and resources. They have the ability to source suppliers who use sustainable methods and practices. IKEA, the renowned Swedish furniture company, sources half of its wood from sustainable forests. Not only that, they source their energy from solar, which is the most abundant energy resource we have on Earth, yet the least utilized. Because project managers have access to communicate with stakeholders, they can collaborate with them on finding sustainable solutions. They have the ability to inform the organization or their team members of the environmental impact on their projects. Regardless of industry field, sustainability is less than a trend, and more of a fundamental shift in the way people and businesses function.

      There is a growing population of consumers who make daily, conscious choices to avidly support businesses and products that are sustainable to the planet. As a consumer, I have implemented more consideration in the way I shop since I became an adult. I thrift my clothing instead of participating in fast fashion, I buy produce from local farmers, and I never use Amazon anymore. Younger generations are spreading awareness that living needs can be met sustainably without decreasing overall contentment. Furniture can be restored instead of bought new, clothes can be altered instead of throwing them away, and recycling takes mere minutes. Conversely, businesses are slowly incorporating the same practices knowing that its consumers care about supporting ethical brands and companies. 

      To conclude, remote work, data security and sustainability are the three challenges I believe project managers will face in the future. The success of the organization or the team highly depends on the project manager's ability to make strategic, sustainable, and concise decisions. A good project manager must possess strong leadership and communication skills and actively educate themselves in project management methodologies. They must also be able to adapt to altering circumstances and make decisions quickly. These challenges can either be seen as challenges, or opportunities for fruition.