AI & skills to reshape UK project management by 2026
Project Management Institute has set out a set of trends it expects to shape project management in the UK in 2026, with a focus on generative AI, sustainability and skills development.
The organisation said AI tools would change how project work gets done. It also pointed to a shift in the role of project professionals, with more emphasis on strategy and business outcomes.
Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer at Project Management Institute, said organisations will see further change as AI becomes more common across workplaces.
"Project management in the UK is constantly evolving, and in 2026 we will see further innovations and efficiencies powered by AI. Project management is a key skill which can help drive critical infrastructure projects in the UK and address the chronic issue of so many projects running over time and budget. We will likely see even more demand for project management skills into next year, with success hinging on widespread upskilling, adaptive, human-centric leadership, and data-informed decision-making to deliver strategic objectives and value," said Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer, Project Management Institute.
Generative AI
Project Management Institute said generative AI will reshape project execution. It said the technology will change day-to-day delivery work and affect how teams allocate time across tasks.
The organisation said AI tools will take on more routine work. It expects project professionals to spend more time on strategic activity. It also expects more focus on creative problem-solving and leadership responsibilities.
The prediction reflects a wider trend across business functions, where companies have started to test generative AI for drafting, analysis and workflow automation. In project environments, that can include early-stage planning material, status reporting and risk documentation.
Project Management Institute did not set out specific adoption levels expected in the UK market. It presented the change as an ongoing shift that will be visible across industries.
Sustainability focus
The organisation also highlighted the use of AI in sustainability strategies. It said strategic use of AI will affect how UK projects approach sustainability targets.
Project Management Institute said AI integration will "amplify sustainability initiatives" in projects. It linked this to "measurable cost savings, energy reductions, and long-term value creation".
UK companies and public bodies have increased reporting around climate and energy use in recent years. Many large programmes now include sustainability requirements in procurement and delivery processes. Project Management Institute's forecast places AI tools alongside those requirements as a factor in delivery planning.
Strategic role
Project Management Institute said project professionals will increasingly act as strategic partners inside organisations. It described an evolution away from tactical troubleshooting and towards a role it linked to business value.
The organisation said project managers will "bridge the gap between strategy and execution". It framed that as a critical capability for organisations dealing with new technology adoption and operational change.
That shift comes amid broader discussions in UK boardrooms about delivery confidence and programme governance. Public sector projects and large infrastructure programmes have faced ongoing scrutiny over delays and cost overruns. Private sector organisations have also dealt with complex transformations across IT, operations and customer services.
Project Management Institute positioned project management as a discipline tied to delivery performance. Heinlein referenced "the chronic issue of so many projects running over time and budget" in the UK.
Skills pressure
The organisation identified upskilling as a central issue for 2026. It said project teams will need continuous learning. It also said organisations will need to provide targeted support.
Project Management Institute linked this to the growing use of generative AI in workplaces. It said skills development will affect how fully project professionals can use AI tools. It also linked the topic to competitiveness and success rates in a more disrupted operating environment.
The organisation's forecast implies a broader training demand across the project workforce. Companies have already started to review internal training policies as AI tools enter standard software suites and project teams experiment with new workflows.
Heinlein also pointed to leadership and decision-making. He said success will hinge on "adaptive, human-centric leadership, and data-informed decision-making".
Project Management Institute said it expects demand for project management skills to increase into 2026. It framed that increase in the context of technology adoption and major programmes. It also linked the discipline to delivery of strategic objectives and value.