Using AI in Project Management: Solving Real Problems with Curiosity and Context with Molly Beran - What's the Plan? Portfolio, Project & Resource Management | Lyssna här

Most conversations about AI in project management focus on meeting notes, summaries, and chatbots. But what happens when you use AI to solve a real project management problem?

In this episode, Molly Beran shares how she used Microsoft Copilot to build a custom reporting solution that transformed project visibility and executive reporting. Rather than chasing the latest AI trend, Molly started with a specific challenge: understanding project progress over time and providing leaders with the context needed to make better decisions.

We discuss:

· Why the best AI initiatives start with a real business problem

· How curiosity helps project managers build solutions without being developers

· The difference between point-in-time reporting and over-time reporting

· Why context is more valuable than raw project data

· Using Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude, to improve project reporting

· The role of AI in project management beyond note taking and meeting summaries

· Where human judgment is still essential when working with AI

If you're exploring AI for project management, Microsoft Copilot, project reporting, project visibility, or executive reporting, this episode offers a practical look at how AI can help teams solve meaningful problems and deliver insights that actually matter.

00:00 Introduction to Projects by Molly

06:04 Molly's Journey in Project Management

09:59 The Importance of Data in Project Management

16:01 Point-in-Time vs. Overtime Reporting

20:59 Leveraging AI in Project Management

28:10 Understanding Snapshots in Reporting

32:26 Tailoring Reports to Executive Needs

35:11 Impact of Effective Reporting on Organizations

36:46 Leveraging Existing Software for Reporting

39:34 Enhancing Transparency in Conversations

40:19 The Role of AI in Project Management

43:54 Building AI Agents for Efficiency