Post by Johannes Gnädinger

Project Success Is Decided Before the Contract Is Signed The success of a project — both technically and commercially — must be defined during the solution-finding phase and clarification phase of tendering and realized during execution. This requires collaboration between human intelligence (HI) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. This collaboration must be based on a common project language that ensures a structured order so that the interplay between chaos and order becomes manageable. Without structured order, there is no trust in AI and no reliable planning and control. In the two phases of deliberate chaos, humans – with the support of AI – identify the optimal project solution during the tender phase and uncover potential problems to avoid unplanned chaotic phases during execution. During phases of structured order, AI-powered tools gradually take over standardized tasks, while humans evaluate and make decisions. What adjustments are needed in the project cycle? •  Greater awareness that the tendering and handover phases are critical to project success. •  Project managers shift their focus away from day-to-day task management toward assessing and communicating complex issues as early as the tendering phase. •  AI gradually takes over tasks in project execution. •  The PMO defines and implements a common project language. From the CFO’s perspective, WBS 4.0 is a simple financial management model that increases predictability and will reverse the current negative trend in project success. WBS 4.0 is not a tool itself, but without one, it remains purely theoretical. In other words, the WBS 4.0 project language defines the logic — the WBS 4.0 tool implements it. Conclusion: Humans focusing on the creative tendering phase and AI focusing on the standardized execution phase. Increasing project success does not require rocket science — all it takes is applying proven methods to HI – AI collaboration.