Is PMBOK Guide the Right Fit for AI? Re-evaluating Project Management in the Face of Artificial Intelligence Projects

TL;DR

This paper assesses the suitability of the PMBOK Guide for AI projects, identifying its limitations and proposing tailored adaptations to better address AI's unique challenges and requirements.

Contribution

It critically evaluates PMBOK's applicability to AI projects and suggests specific modifications to improve its relevance and effectiveness for AI software development.

Findings

PMBOK has limited focus on data management and iterative development.

Gaps identified in ethical guidance and multidisciplinary challenges.

Recommendations include integrating data lifecycle and ethical considerations.

Abstract

This paper critically evaluates the applicability of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide framework to Artificial Intelligence (AI) software projects, highlighting key limitations and proposing tailored adaptations. Unlike traditional projects, AI initiatives rely heavily on complex data, iterative experimentation, and specialized expertise while navigating significant ethical considerations. Our analysis identifies gaps in the PMBOK Guide, including its limited focus on data management, insufficient support for iterative development, and lack of guidance on ethical and multidisciplinary challenges. To address these deficiencies, we recommend integrating data lifecycle management, adopting iterative and AI project management frameworks, and embedding ethical considerations within project planning and execution. Additionally, we explore alternative approaches that better align with AI's dynamic and exploratory nature. We aim to enhance project management practices for AI software projects by bridging these gaps.