Rick Morris regularly shares his project management expertise and speaking engagements. Keep up with his latest insights here.
Senior Manager for our Enterprise Portfolio and Program Management team, Rick Morris, is an accomplished project management professional, certified Scrum Agile Master, human behavior consultant, and certified high-performance coach. His experience spans various industries, and he has worked for organizations such as GE and Xerox and consulted on numerous implementations of project and portfolio management and agile systems.
As a best-selling author, Morris has published several books, including the Amazon #1 best seller "No Day But Today." He has also created multiple podcasts, including "AI Driven PM" and "The Work Life Balance." Morris’s leadership skills and experience have made him a sought-after speaker, and his blend of real-world experience and engaging delivery style make his passion for the profession contagious.
Follow this column for updates about Morris’s insights and presence at industry events as he shares his expertise and inspires the project management community.
Rick's Podcast
AI Driven PM
Morris recently launched a podcast, “AI Driven PM” aimed at helping project managers understand and use artificial intelligence in their work. The podcast offers practical insights and hands-on demonstrations of AI tools for project, portfolio, program, product, and people management. Each 20- to 30-minute episode of "AI Driven PM" will cover theoretical concepts in AI and project management, practical demonstrations of AI tools like ChatGPT, and discussions on how AI can enhance project management practices.
Visit the AI Driven PM playlist.
New Blogs
AI Doesn’t Replace Project Managers — It Replaces Their Worst Tasks
If you’ve ever lost half a day rewriting a status report for the fourth version of the same slide deck, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of the job—and one of the least strategic. Prompt engineering changes the game.
Learn how I’m using prompt engineering to turn reports into results.
Read the full blog.
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The Future of AI and Project Management and How to Prepare
AI is already changing how we manage projects.
From automated reporting to risk forecasting, we’ve seen the early wins. But what’s around the corner is even more transformative. AI is evolving fast, and so is its role in how we lead teams, deliver outcomes, and shape strategy. The next wave isn’t just about speeding up admin work — it’s about redefining project management itself.
See where AI is going in project management and how to prepare.
Read the full blog.
The ROI Debate: Can We Really Measure AI’s Value in Project Management?
As organizations rush to integrate AI into their workflows, one question keeps coming up: What’s the real return on investment (ROI)?
Project leaders are under pressure to prove AI’s impact with hard data, yet many struggle to quantify its benefits. If AI reduces administrative tasks or prevents risks, how do we measure that in dollars? The debate isn’t only about whether AI works — it’s about whether we can track and communicate its success in a way that satisfies both leadership and the bottom line.
Learn how to bridge the gap between AI hype and real business value.
Read the full blog.
Transforming How We Lead Change
Whether implementing new processes, adopting new technology, or reshaping entire business models, change management can feel like navigating a minefield. Resistance from stakeholders, communication breakdowns, and uncertainty often hinder success.
By integrating AI into your change strategy, you’ll gain deeper insights, build stronger stakeholder relationships, and execute change initiatives with greater confidence.
Learn how AI can elevate your change management strategies.
Read the full blog.
The Creative Side of AI: More Than Just Automation
AI isn’t here to replace human creativity — it’s here to amplify it. Imagine having a brainstorming partner that never runs out of ideas, can instantly analyze trends, and gives you fresh perspectives based on vast datasets. That’s what AI brings to the table.
AI isn’t simply a back-office tool for automating mundane tasks — it’s a creative catalyst that can transform how project teams approach problem-solving and innovation. By integrating AI into your creative processes, you’ll uncover new ideas, stay ahead of market trends, and make smarter, more innovative decisions.
Learn how AI is becoming a catalyst for creativity and innovation in project teams and how to integrate it with your creative processes.
Read the full blog.
Training and Upskilling Project Managers for AI Integration
The role of a project manager is evolving at breakneck speed, and AI is at the center of this transformation. While AI won't replace project managers, those who fail to adapt may find themselves left behind. The future belongs to those who can seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows, leveraging it to make smarter decisions, streamline processes, and drive efficiency.
Preparing project managers for this shift is not just about learning how to use AI tools — it’s about developing a mindset and skill set that allows them to harness AI’s potential effectively.
Learn how to work effectively alongside AI.
Read the full blog.
AI Agents Are The Next Big Thing in Project, Program, and Portfolio Management
Leadership in project management has always been about more than completing tasks; it’s about driving change, inspiring teams, and creating measurable impact. With AI agents, we’ll have the tools to do this better than ever before. The introduction of OpenAI’s AI agents is more than just an upgrade—it’s a turning point for our profession. These tools will allow us to delegate routine tasks and focus our energy on strategy, leadership, and delivering meaningful results. They empower us to work smarter, not harder, by providing actionable insights, improving communication, and optimizing resources.
Learn how AI agents will transform project management.
Read the full blog.
Leveraging AI to Transform Portfolio Management and Project Ranking
In today’s competitive landscape, prioritizing the right projects is critical to success. With so many factors to consider—ROI, strategic alignment, risk, and resource availability—keeping a balanced and optimized portfolio can seem daunting. Enter AI, a powerful tool that can support project managers in making data-driven decisions, ranking projects based on potential impact, and continuously adapting as conditions change.
Learn how AI can redefine portfolio management and project ranking, transforming the way we strategize and execute.
Read the full blog.
The Claude Projects Tool is a Game Changer
Claude Projects is designed to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and spark innovation. From software development to construction management, finance, or marketing initiatives, the ability to upload comprehensive project documentation and tailor AI-driven assistance to your specific needs is a significant advantage. Claude Projects is not just a tool. It's a catalyst for achieving excellence in project management across any industry.
Learn about Claude Projects and how this feature can help with project management in any industry.
Read the full blog.
Uncovering Project Overruns with ChatGPT
As project managers, we’ve all faced the challenge of figuring out what went wrong on a project after it's finished — why it ran over time, blew past the budget, or failed to meet expectations. We tackled this issue head-on by comparing two versions of a project plan — an initial one and a second from six months later. Using ChatGPT, we dove into the details of the project to uncover the real sources of cost overruns and time delays, providing crucial lessons that any project manager can apply.
Learn how to use ChatGPT uncover key project insights.
Read the full blog.
Emotional Sprint Retrospectives
In Agile methodologies, we often focus on processes and technical issues. However, integrating ChatGPT for "emotional sprint retrospectives" can revolutionize team dynamics by addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of team performance. This concept, aligned with my principles of making emotional conversations unemotional, offers a novel approach to Agile retrospectives.
Learn how to integrate ChatGPT into Agile methodologies for emotional sprint retrospectives.
Read the full blog.
AI Assistance with WBS (goblin.tools)
In project management, the ability to break down complex tasks is critical. Enter goblin.tools, an AI-driven platform designed to help project managers break down intricate projects into logical, actionable tasks. This tool ensures that each component is not only manageable but also time-bound, aligning perfectly with the principles outlined in the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge).
Learn about the power of task breakdown.
Read the full blog.
10 Prompts to Try with ChatGPT-4o
As project management evolves, using cutting-edge technology becomes increasingly essential. The latest iteration, ChatGPT-4o, introduces groundbreaking features that promise to revolutionize project, program and portfolio management.
Learn how to incorporate ChatGPT-4o into your project management toolkit.
Read the full blog.
ChatGPT is Your New Tutor for Excel and Google Sheets
In the fast-paced world of project management, efficiency is key. Managing multiple tasks, deadlines and resources requires not only organizational skills but also a strong command of tools like Excel and Google Sheets. Whether you’re tracking metrics, forecasting budgets, or analyzing data, these spreadsheet tools remain go-to solutions. However, mastering their complex formulas and functions can be daunting. Enter ChatGPT, a game-changer for project managers seeking to streamline their tasks.
Learn how ChatGPT can be your personal tutor and assistant in navigating Excel and Google Sheets.
Read the full blog.
At last: A Monte Carlo Analysis Made Possible with AI
A Monte Carlo analysis stands as one of the most powerful tools in the arsenal of project management, renowned for its ability to provide detailed risk assessments and predictions. However, this incredible potential often remains untapped, reserved for high-risk, long-term projects. The reason? The sheer volume of detailed information required to execute Monte Carlo simulations effectively. Yet, in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we stand on the cusp of a revolution that could democratize this tool, making it accessible and practical for a wider array of projects. Learn how AI can power a Monte Carlo analysis.
Read the full blog.
Boosting Value Performance Per Day (VPD) with AI
In project management, timely and effective decisions are critical to success. However, the traditional approach is filled with time-consuming tasks that prevent project managers from focusing on what truly matters — creating value. This is where the concept of value performance per day (VPD) comes into play.
VPD measures the value a project manager can deliver in a day, directly impacting the project's success.
In this blog, Morris discusses how AI can enhance VPD with examples and real-world scenarios.
Read the full blog.
Resource Management with AI: A Strategic Imperative for Project Success
Effective resource allocation is fundamental to the success of any project management endeavor.
Strategically integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into resource management not only refines these processes but also maximizes the use of every project component. By harnessing the power of AI, project managers can navigate complex project dynamics with unparalleled precision, substantially enhancing team performance and overall project outcomes.
Learn how AI augments various facets of resource management and how it can enable managers to plan more effectively, adapt swiftly to changes, and continually optimize resources.
Read the full blog.
AI-Driven PM: Fulfilling the Promise of Lessons Learned
Integrating AI and machine learning (ML) into project risk management is not only an upgrade, it's a fulfillment of the long-held vision of truly learning from past projects.
By turning the abstract into the actionable, AI and ML actualize the potential of lessons learned, offering a roadmap that is both informed by history and tailored to the unique contours of each new project.
In this blog, Morris shares a way to turn lessons learned into a risk assessment that can provide actionable insights.
Read the full blog.
The Future of PM: Metrics 2.0
In 2012, Morris penned an article titled “Metrics 2.0,” in which he pontificated what the project management world would look like with a strategic, data-driven approach that streamlined operations and bolstered project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
Little did he know that in just a decade, the advent of AI and the widespread adoption of collaborative platforms would revolutionize the way we work.
In this blog, Morris discusses how Microsoft Teams, augmented with AI, transforms into more than just a communication and collaboration platform.
“It evolves into a central nervous system for projects.”
Read the full blog.
AI Driven PM: Fulfilling the Promise of Lessons Learned
In the realm of
project management, the perennial challenge has been not just to navigate the present, but to learn from the past in a way that illuminates the path forward. In his book, “Project Management That Works,” Morris presents a narrative on risk assessment, a process traditionally encumbered by subjective judgments and cumbersome methodologies.
He shares a way to turn lessons learned into a risk assessment that could provide actionable insights. “It is here, at the intersection of aspiration and reality, that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) emerge not just as tools but as transformative forces, making the ideal of learning from past lessons a tangible, impactful reality.”
Learn how to transform lessons learned into risk management strategies and how to embrace AI and ML in project risk management.
Read the full blog.
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Past Events
The PMI Carolina Chapter of the Project Management Institute 2024 PDD
Morris spoke at the 2024 Annual Professional Development Day hosted by the PMI Carolina Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Wake Forest University Charlotte Center. The event brought together project professionals and practitioners from all sectors to learn from recognized and sought-after industry leaders. Morris presented the opening keynote, “The Art of Ethical Influence.” Learn more.
The Project Management Institute South Florida 2024 Project Management Conference
Morris presented the keynote at the 2024 South Florida PMI Annual PM Conference set for Friday, September 27, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The event, the largest in-person event for project management professionals in the region, gathered professionals from various industries to learn and explore the dynamic opportunities within one of the nation’s most vibrant economic centers. Morris’s presentation was titled “Community, Collaboration, Innovation.” Learn more.
PMI Professional Development Day
Morris spoke at the Spring Professional Development Day event for the Buffalo chapter of the Project Management Institute on May 14, 2024.
The event will provided comprehensive training in influence, negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership development. Participants learned core principles of persuasion, acquired practical negotiation skills, and developed strategies for building high-performing teams and navigating project challenges. Learn more.
