Book Title:

AI and Project Excellence: From Automation to Achievement

Authors

Dr. Davinder Walia
Professor, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Project Management, AI, Automation

Synopsis

The world of project management stands at a transformative crossroads, driven by unprecedented technological advancements and rapidly changing market dynamics. Traditional models of project planning and execution, which once emphasized rigid structures, sequential processes, and human-centric decision-making, are increasingly struggling to keep pace with today’s complex, volatile, and digitally interconnected business environments. In a world where speed, agility, and innovation have become paramount, organizations are seeking new paradigms to achieve project excellence, and artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as the defining force of this evolution. The convergence of AI and project management is not merely an enhancement; it represents a fundamental shift in how projects are conceived, executed, monitored, and evaluated. From the automation of repetitive tasks to predictive analytics and intelligent risk forecasting, AI empowers project managers with superhuman capabilities, enhancing decision quality, resource optimization, and stakeholder engagement. As we enter this new era, it becomes imperative to reimagine the role of project managers — not as controllers of tasks, but as orchestrators of dynamic, AI-powered ecosystems. The core of project success now hinges on embracing a technology-infused mindset, understanding the strategic possibilities of AI, and balancing machine-driven insights with human creativity and ethical responsibility. This chapter sets the stage for a deep exploration of how AI is reshaping project management’s future, ushering in a new era where automation leads to achievement, and data-driven intelligence drives sustainable project excellence.

List of Chapters:

Chapters

  • Chapter 1 Vision and Big Picture
  • Chapter 2 Technical Literacy
  • Chapter 3 Automation and Efficiency
  • Chapter 4 Prediction and Decision-Making
  • Chapter 5 Collaboration, not Replacement
  • Chapter 6 Risk and Quality Management
  • Chapter 7 Strategic Excellence
  • Conclusion

Author Biography

Dr. Davinder Walia, Professor, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dr. Davinder Walia is a distinguished academician and industry expert with more than 30 years of experience spanning both domains. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, and an MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, one of the top business schools of India. Further, enhancing his academic credentials, he earned a PhD in Business Administration from Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL), one of the premier universities in Malaysia.

Dr. Walia has a rich experience of working in top multinational companies like Asian Development Bank (ADB) and premier foreign universities like London Metropolitan University (LMU) and IUKL, Malaysia. He has made significant contributions to research, with publications of many Books, Book Chapters and Research Papers in top-rated ABDC (Category - A) and Scopus indexed International Journals. He has also presented his research at prestigious conferences worldwide, showcasing his expertise in engineering, business management and interdisciplinary studies.

With a strong background in academia and industry, Dr. Walia brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to his work. His passion for research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination makes him a thought leader in his field. His current areas of research include impact of AI in project management and other related fields.

This book is a testament to his expertise and dedication to bridging the gap between theory and practice, offering valuable perspectives to readers from academic and professional backgrounds alike.

References

Ahuja, V., Yang, J., & Shankar, R. (2010). IT-enhanced communication protocols for building project management. Construction Innovation, 10(2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714171011037129

Anantatmula, V., & Shrivastav, B. (2012). Evolution of project teams for Generation Y workforce. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 5(1), 9–26. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538371211192874

Bode, C., & Macdonald, J. R. (2017). Stages of supply chain disruption response: Direct, constraining, and synergistic strategies. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 98, 154–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2016.12.002

Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. W.W. Norton & Company.

Chui, M., Manyika, J., & Miremadi, M. (2016). Where machines could replace humans—and where they can’t (yet). McKinsey Quarterly. https://www.mckinsey.com

Davenport, T. H., & Ronanki, R. (2018). Artificial intelligence for the real world. Harvard Business Review, 96(1), 108–116.

Dinsmore, P. C., & Cabanis-Brewin, J. (2014). The AMA handbook of project management (4th ed.). AMACOM.

Dwivedi, Y. K., Hughes, D. L., Ismagilova, E., Aarts, G., Coombs, C., Crick, T., ... & Williams, M. D. (2021). Artificial intelligence (AI): Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy. International Journal of Information Management, 57, 101994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.08.002

Florentine, S. (2018). 10 early examples of using AI in project management. CIO. https://www.cio.com

Gartner. (2020). Top strategic technology trends for 2020: Hyperautomation. Gartner Research.

Giones, F., & Brem, A. (2017). Digital technology entrepreneurship: A definition and research agenda. Technology Innovation Management Review, 7(5), 44–51.

Heagney, J. (2016). Fundamentals of project management (5th ed.). AMACOM.

Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling (12th ed.). Wiley.

Luck, J., & Zillner, S. (2019). Artificial intelligence and risk management: An application perspective. Journal of Risk Research, 22(6), 707–719. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2018.1500435

Marnewick, C., & Labuschagne, L. (2011). An investigation into the influence of project management methodology and project success. International Journal of Project Management, 29(3), 268–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2010.03.005

PMI (Project Management Institute). (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (7th ed.). Project Management Institute.

Porter, M. E., & Heppelmann, J. E. (2015). How smart, connected products are transforming companies. Harvard Business Review, 93(10), 96–114.

Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information technology project management (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Schwaber, K., & Sutherland, J. (2020). The Scrum Guide: The definitive guide to Scrum: The rules of the game. Scrum.org.

Wamba-Taguimdje, S. L., Wamba, S. F., Kala Kamdjoug, J. R., & Tchatchouang Wanko, C. E. (2020). Influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on firm performance: The business value of AI-based transformation projects. Business Process Management Journal, 26(7), 1775–1797. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-10-2019-0411

Downloads

Published

7 May 2025

Series

Details about this monograph

ISBN-13 (15)

978-93-49848-90-0

How to Cite

Walia, D. (2025). AI and Project Excellence: From Automation to Achievement. Shodh Sagar International Publications. https://doi.org/10.36676/978-93-49848-90-0