Just like any other area of management, project management is bound to change its face during the upcoming year. As workforce expectations and technology use change, managers will inevitably face a series of deep transformations in the field. What's in store for project managers in 2016? Here are 8 key trends you should incorporate into your business practice during the upcoming year.

1. Benefits of Big Data

Project management was always about optimization in ensuring that it stays within budget and time constraints. Last year, we witnessed a revolution in data analytics processes, which will continue into 2016. Innovative project management suites will render risk management and data analytics easier then ever, helping managers to provide more accurate forecasts in their projects. These suites will also improve team efficiency, helping workers to meet deadlines and complete tasks at a faster rate. Big Data analytics software will be used by more managers in 2016, so instead of still considering its benefits and disadvantages, start to look at suites available for organizations of your size and industry. You're bound to find a solution that will help you to effectively bring projects into completion.

2. Virtual project management

Some experts think that virtual project management is not only product of globalization, but a consequence of a deep change in workplace dynamics. To put it simply, organizations try to manage the development of work environments by implementing technologies and policies to make project management more effective. Still, this change will only start to unfold in 2016.

A survey conducted by Forrester revealed that out of almost 10,000 information workers in 17 countries, 94% of them use email, but only 33% participate in desktop video conferencing. Mere 25% use room-based video conferencing solutions. But enterprises are starting to recognize the need for virtual project management and are now factoring it in at the project charter stage. As the project develops, seamless communication across different groups of workers becomes vital to its lifecycle – and that's why many organizations will adopt virtual project management tools in 2016.

3. Teams will be structured along project requirements

Until today, managers would usually build their project teams according to some preconceived organization templates. But this model is over. As projects grow increasingly complicated, teams will be structured according to their inherent complexity. It's the project complexities that will decide how teams will be built, what kind of tools they'll use and how the project will be executed. This will require enterprises to adopt new strategies for bringing this kind of flexibility and agility into the organization. In 2016, enterprises will follow the manufacturing sector and adopt similar attitudes to their project management methodology.

4. PPM will take center-stage

Experts agree that the adoption rates of PPM were disappointing in 2015, but 2016 is bound to become the year when this novelty takes the center-stage. Many organizations point out that the adoption process is their priority. That's why in 2016, we can expect executives to take a closer look at PPM to better understand the challenges associated with its adoption. PMOs and process excellence teams will be working hard on possible ways to get past these difficulties. Leaders will set their eyes on PPM adoption too, as they'll make it into an organizational mandate and key performance metric. This development will affect the job market as well – executive-level managers are likely to hire PPM-certified project managers in the near future. At some point, PPM certification will become an industry standard for filling project management roles.

5. Remote teams will spread

This is a key workforce change that will impact project management processes. One study shows that by 2020 40% of the American workforce will be freelancers, contractors, and/or temporary employees. (http://http-download.intuit.com/http.intuit/CMO/intuit/futureofsmallbusiness/intuit_2020_report.pdf)  Many are already working remotely using websites and tools like Upwork, Demand Media or Freelancer. But that's not the end of story. Full-time employees are also increasingly telecommuting. A recent study found out that 37% of Americans telecommute, the vast majority of them in white-collar professions. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/184649/telecommuting-work-climbs.aspx0

One thing organizations will reach out for to improve project management of dispersed teams are recent technological innovations. While working outside of geographical borders allows enterprises to acquire top talent from a larger candidate pool, it also puts managers in situations which are completely new. If they receive proper training and use technological solutions to address these issues, the risk of low productivity of communication problems will be low. In 2016, we'll see remote becoming the new normal and changing the face of project management.

6. The rise of change management

In 2016, more enterprises will finally realize the importance and value of visibility. During the last couple of years, we've seen management rules and procedures develop to emphasize a greater scrutiny into business processes. And this will put a new light on the significance of project management. In 2016, the role of a project manager will become more visible and accountable, allowing organizations to easily communicate project-related information to government agencies and authoritative figures who are overseeing the project.

7. BYOD

BYOD, or “Bring Your Own Device,” is a new trend that we witnessed blooming in 2015. But its story isn't finished yet. While companies allow employees to use their own devices (smartphones, computers, tablets, and other) for work purposes, they are also creating a number of challenges to the project management field. One immediate consequence is the increased complexity of technical support which can be provided by the IT Help Desk. Anther significant challenge is the development of software for multi-device use – we see new processes and security schemes popping up all over the place. All these activities will require complex solutions, affecting the dynamics of project management, where technology won't help the processes to be streamlined anymore.

8. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

One of the strongest trends for 2016 are APIs, predicted to revolutionize the enterprise project management software scene in the near future. These solutions will be secure and highly customizable, ensuring a seamless integration of CRM software and PM systems. API functionality is expected to become the new industry standard, not just another helpful software feature.

Project management and customer relationship management (CRM) platform integration will benefit many areas of the organization. It will for instance assist the sales and development/engineering teams by rendering communication of data easier than ever.

Project management is under dynamic development and we'll probably see new trends unfold during the upcoming year. But these 8 trends are predicted to rule the project management scene, so you better start thinking about how to incorporate these insights into your project management strategy right now.

About the author:

Carol Williams is a team leader and a project manager at Navel Oranges - a fruit shipping company. She likes to share her insights lecturing on the topics of leadership and project management.