The demand for robust project management practices in the life sciences industry is on the rise. With the increasing prevalence of project managers in the field, notable trends have surfaced, shaping the landscape of project management. In this article, we will dive into these key trends that are influencing how projects are approached and executed in the dynamic realm of life sciences. From the integration of hybrid methodologies to the emphasis on data and key performance indicators (KPIs), and the infusion of artificial intelligence (AI) to the evolution of remote team dynamics, these trends are redefining the role of project managers and shaping the success of projects in the life sciences sector.
Sticky notes on bulletin board
Increased use of hybrid project methodologies
The longer timelines and rigid deliverables of traditional life sciences projects traditionally led to widespread use of Waterfall methodologies to manage projects. However, as more and more life sciences projects have come to include technological components, there is a newfound place for traditional Waterfall methodologies to be complemented by Agile ones. Agile practices provide a variety of tools that enable teams to receive more real-time feedback and quickly make changes to the project plan, when needed. Some of the more popular tools include the use of sprints, Kanban boards, and the daily scrum.
Sprints. Team members divide the project up into bite size chunks (sprints). This allows the team to focus on completing higher-priority tasks before moving on to lower-priority parts of the project. Often sprints are managed with the use of a Kanban board.
Kanban boards. A tool (either physical or digital) that helps the team prioritize and plan out activities by creating a visualization of the tasks and workflow.
Daily scrum. This meeting allows the team to understand what work has been performed, what is next for the day, and if any obstacles need to be discussed to meet the sprint goals.
Agile techniques allow for real-time adjustments to be made as more project-relevant information is learned. One of the biggest obstacles as teams shift from Waterfall to hybrid project management tactics, is the cultural shift across the broader team. When introducing these tools across a project team, a strong project manager (PM) will take time to communicate their value and help the team adjust to the new normal in establishing stakeholder trust.
Emphasis on data and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Just completing a project’s activities is no longer the standard for success. The question of what value the completed project brings to the organization is becoming more important to the final assessment of project achievement. Increasingly, PMs play a pivotal role in assisting organizations in pinpointing KPIs and measuring the value a project brings to the table. PMs not only guide the team through project schedules and status updates but also furnish teams with results vis-à-vis benchmarks and performance expectations. Strong PMs increasingly build their skillsets in data analytics tools and methodologies.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Merriam-Webster defines artificial intelligence as, “a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers. The capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.” One example of the use of AI in project management is note taking and communication. Rather than having a PM take notes, define next actions, and communicate those actions to the team, they can instead leverage AI to perform these tasks on their behalf. Utilizing AI to take on time-consuming administrative tasks gives PMs more time to work on critical, value-added activities.
As technology continues to advance, teams may be able to leverage AI statistical processing capabilities to better manage risks and potential project outcomes. MustardSeed outlined these AI benefits and more in our recent article, “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Management of Life Sciences Projects.”
Increased use of remote teams
Catalyzed by the cultural shifts and technological advances that occurred during the pandemic, more teams across the life sciences industry are learning to work on remote or hybrid teams. Project managers can add value to cross-functional teams by leveraging shared documents, reporting, and meeting technologies such as Microsoft Teams. Remote teams located across different geographic locations rather than within the four walls of the corporate headquarters can introduce unique benefits to a project team.
Recruiting team members across different locations not only ensures access to the best talent, but it also allows teams to flex their workstreams. For example, if a team member on the East Coast can finish Activity A by the end of their workday, then a team-member on the West Coast can seamlessly pick up the project and begin work on Activity B. To take full advantage of the remote work trend, it is important for life sciences companies to invest in appropriate tools and systems to coordinate and facilitation of activities of team-members who are working from a variety of locations.
Project managers are emotionally intelligent change leaders
Traditionally, the project manager's role in any given organization was only to ensure schedule adherence and on-time deliverable submission. They were not considered agents of change in the organization. However, as the PM’s role becomes more cross-functionally integrated in many organizations, they are increasingly also taking on the role of change manager and leader. By establishing communication standards, risk registers, change management protocols, and KPI tracking, the PM enables teams to use data and facts to shift gears when obstacles or opportunities appear during the project. When changes occur, PMs are not only tasked with guiding the teams through decisions regarding “what” and “when,” but also “why.” As a result, soft skills such as team building, motivation, and conflict management are becoming more important to PM success in the long-term.
A well-rounded project team that can leverage the key trends outlined in this article will enhance the benefits of a project. At MustardSeed, we pride ourselves in staying up to date on all project management trends. We routinely seek out professional training and development, which we combine with our real-world experience, to provide our clients with the latest project technologies and methods to ensure their projects’ success.
