As we conclude the online IPMA Council of Delegates (CoD) meeting, we address our Delegates and external decision-makers during a period of rapid technological advancements and an intensified focus on sustainability. Our commitment to the project profession and building a better world has never been more critical.

In March, we emphasized the transformative potential of AI in project management and the importance of aligning with ESG frameworks to foster sustainability. Building on this, we underscore the value that projects bring to sustainability and the global effort to build back a better world. This vision is not only about improving efficiency but also about driving positive, lasting change across communities and industries.

Looking forward to 2030, IPMA envisions a future where project management is at the forefront of sustainable development and technological integration. Our plans extend beyond the profile of the Project Manager, encompassing a holistic approach that includes the following considerations:

Sustainability and ESG Integration: Continuously embedding ESG principles in project management to ensure that projects contribute positively to the environment and society.
Technological Advancement: Leveraging AI, big data, machine learning (ML), and natural language processing to enhance project efficiency and outcomes.
Global Collaboration: Fostering international cooperation to share best practices and innovations in project management.

According to Gartner, by 2030, 80% of project managers’ tasks will be automated through AI, powered by big data, ML, and natural language processing. This shift will revolutionize the profession, allowing project managers to focus more on strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability.

In this new era, we anticipate that project managers will need to develop a range of competences to thrive, including, technological proficiency, strategic thinking, adaptive leadership, collaboration and communication, and ethical and responsible management.

The integration of AI and the emphasis on sustainability will have significant implications for IPMA as a global organization and the IPMA Individual Competence Baseline (ICB). We anticipate that the ICB will be regularly revised to incorporate new competences related to AI, sustainability, and strategic management. We also foresee new certification programs to equip project managers with the necessary skills. Besides these advancements, IPMA will continue to serve as a platform for sharing and promoting best practices and advocating for the societal benefits brought by project professionals.

IPMA invites project practitioners to attend the Global Project Profession Forum in Šibenik, Croatia, in September 2024, to discuss real practical cases and megaprojects explained by the project professionals leading these outstanding endeavors, addressing PM practices in multinational organizations and collaborations on public-private projects.

Additionally, the 33rd IPMA World Congress, themed “Hope” and focusing on People, Purpose, and Performance, will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2024. This Congress will address the critical role of PMs, exploring AI, ESG criteria, and Capital Projects.

Prof. Dr. Mladen Vukomanović, IPMA President, added: “IPMA is dedicated to orchestrating the project profession for a better world. Our vision for 2030 encompasses enhanced sustainability, advanced technological integration, and global collaboration. In anticipation of strategic shifts and constant global changes, we are already laying the groundwork for these ambitious future goals.”

Let us move forward with the hope and determination to build a better, more sustainable world through the power of project management.