Once primarily adopted by the tech industry, agile practices are now being embraced by a whole host of industries. It is a huge global movement. Just as digitalisation has touched almost every business, so too has the need to become more agile.

Increasing demands in the project profession are putting new demands on the capabilities of project software. In order to keep up, project management software must continually develop. Here we take a look at five of the key changes and innovations we are seeing as part of the evolution of software for this industry.

As of 1 January 2020, AXELOS has renamed PRINCE2® 2017 (the most recent updates to the PRINCE2 certification) to PRINCE2 6th Edition. This name change is not an update in itself — PRINCE2 6th Edition is a rebrand and doesn’t come with any changes to the PRINCE2 2017 course material or exams.

Flexible practices can help in the challenging moments of a project, whilst traditional practices ensure you keep your eye on the prize in terms of the end goal. When it comes to striking the balance between strict project scheduling and the creativity of working in an agile way, these top tips will help you keep your project on track.

Proactive working allows you to be prepared for change in the future. As project managers, it is important we are in the right mindset to make logical, rational decisions. Working smarter and more productively will allow you to seek out and identify new opportunities and to innovate. So, what changes can you make in order to get ahead and achieve more?

Even if a project has been a complete write-off – or conversely, a total success – there are always lessons to be learnt from the experience. Taking the time to reflect, and training yourself to think critically will help you overcome project failures and work towards future successes.

Whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder, or simply want to make improvements within your current position, taking your leadership skills to the next level is key to making progress.

Transformative changes are happening in our society, climate, economics and technology; and they are set to have a revolutionary impact on the project professional’s job role. Project management is a critical business discipline, and that’s not about to change. However, the demands of the job role are set to change.

Transformative change is on the horizon as we enter the fourth industrial revolution. Technology is at the forefront, and recent years have seen the rise of robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality. This era is set to revolutionise every part of our working and personal lives.

Remember January 2019’s lengthy list of New Year’s resolutions? That determination to be a better you, be fitter and healthier, learn a new skill, or spend less? What if you change your approach for next year? The new calendar year is a great time to take ownership of your career development and vow to be a better project manager.