With advancements in technology, especially in AI, many project management tasks, such as resource tracking and business case development, can now be automated. However, according to a recent global Gartner survey, human beings are still an essential part of the project management mix, with the project manager role expected to be one of the fastest-growing within the Project Management Office (PMO) over the next few years. So, if project managers are here to stay, how can they continue adding value in a changing landscape?
Denver-based James McCoy, project management leader, President of the PMI Mile Hi Chapter, and PMO Leader at SSP Innovations, has seen the project management environment evolve during the course of his career. He believes that even in the face of a rapidly changing business environment there are evergreen project management approaches that provide strategic value, and a competitive advantage.
Schooled in classic strategy and project management, McCoy studied towards a Masters Certificate of Project Management at George Washington University and later obtained a Bachelor of Business Management at the University of Phoenix. Leveraging academic qualifications and business experience has taught him to be wary of fad approaches to project management, but at the same time aware that the business environment is constantly changing, requiring new approaches and skill sets.
The Only Constant is Change
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, strategic project management is essential for achieving long-term success. Projects are no longer isolated efforts; they must align with broader business goals, manage risks effectively, and optimize resources to ensure every initiative contributes to key objectives.
By integrating these core principles, companies can drive greater impact, resilience, and sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.
McCoy has advised many leading organizations and has become familiar with common project management issues that challenge companies committed to optimizing team performance. Based on his experience, McCoy has identified three key focus areas that drive company-wide success through strategic project management.
As McCoy puts it, “In the 1950s, project management was all structure and rigidity, an approach that fit perfectly with predictable workflows. Today, the business environment is much more complex, and empathy and adaptability drive success. A project manager’s ability to understand and support team dynamics is just as crucial as technical skills.”
The Three Pillars of Strategic Success
According to McCoy, empathy allows project leaders to understand team members’ perspectives, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that can boost morale and productivity. By being attuned to individual needs, leaders can identify potential challenges early and tailor their approach to keep projects on track. However, while empathy is essential, it alone will not deliver strategically aligned success. Leaders must also focus on aligning projects with the company’s broader strategic imperatives to drive meaningful, long-term results.
McCoy is adamant that before project leaders can focus on optimizing team performance they first need to ensure that the foundations for success have been laid, and the foundation must include core focus areas such as alignment of projects with business goals, proactive risk management and effective resource optimization.
“Over my career, I’ve learned that project managers need a solid grasp of objectives, deliverables, and budgets at each stage of the project,” says McCoy. “Typically, this means navigating through initiation, execution, quality control, and closure phases, though each organization may define these differently. What’s consistent is the importance of focus on underlying principles.”
McCoy advises companies to focus on the following areas to optimize any strategic approach to building a competitive advantage:
1. Aligning Projects with Business Goals
Ensuring that all projects are closely tied to the organization’s overall strategy is critical for long-term success. Projects should not be viewed as isolated efforts; instead, they must function as tools that directly contribute to key objectives such as growth, profitability, and innovation. By embedding project alignment into the fabric of the organization, companies can enhance their ability to achieve strategic outcomes.
“To ensure that projects add value to the organization, a consistent review of project goals for alignment with the corporate mission and strategic initiatives is required,” emphasizes McCoy.
“This focused approach allows the organization to channel resources and efforts toward achieving meaningful business results, and allows it to change focus in line with market or investor requirements,”
2. Proactive Risk Management
Proactively managing risks is essential in today’s complex project landscape. Projects often encounter risks that can derail progress. By identifying, discussing, and planning for potential risks early on, organizations can ensure smoother execution and minimize surprises that might negatively impact overall performance.
“Embedding a culture of early risk identification and mitigation into project management processes is crucial,” notes McCoy. “Regular risk assessments and contingency planning prepare us for potential setbacks, keeping projects on track.”
3. Effective Resource Optimization
Maximizing resources, such as time, budget, and talent is vital for scaling company-wide success. Poor resource management can lead to wasted funds, inefficient processes, and missed opportunities. Strategic project management focuses on optimizing resource allocation to ensure that every project is executed effectively and efficiently.
“To optimize resources across projects, leaders must prioritize initiatives based on impact and urgency,” advises McCoy. “Using a structured framework helps allocate resources wisely and fosters collaboration to avoid silos and redundancy.”
According to McCoy, “Focusing on a core project management framework is essential to provide structure to any strategically aligned project plan. However, collaboration is vital and while technology offers tools to enhance collaboration, it can also complicate communication processes, leading to misunderstandings and misalignment. Successful communication relies on empathy and connection among team members; without this foundation, even the best tools cannot bridge the gaps in understanding.”
McCoy concludes that navigating these complexities requires experienced and empathetic leadership to ensure that communication remains the glue to holding teams together, enabling them to overcome obstacles and drive success.
For more insight into James McCoy’s track record of delivering end-to-end PMO programs and project transformations within complex national and international corporate environments, visit his LinkedIn page or personal website.
