The Internet of Things (IoT) is fundamentally the global network of devices which can communicate with one another, in addition to end-users, through the Internet. As recently as 20 years ago, this network consisted of computers almost exclusively. However in the last 10 years IoT has exploded through the spread of everything from smartphones, to microwaves as well as refrigerators, and even toasters which all share data with each other in addition to the world around them.
Gartner has predicted that the connected things, which will be in use worldwide, this year will reach 20.4 billion this year. This is almost three devices per person. Each one of these devices will be measuring data in addition to enabling communication. In fact, many major technology firms have developed their own IoT platforms, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure as well as Google Cloud.
However, preparing for IoT isn’t just something that megacorporations need to be worried about. Project managers as well as small business leaders also need to be ready for a workplace that is connected.
The impact of the Internet of Thing on project managers
There have been many alterations to, and pressures on, project management over the last couple of years. Digital technologies have been there every step of the way in order to assist us to operate quicker, leaner, more collaboratively and, above all, with unmatched productivity.
We don’t need to share with you how dramatically the Internet of Things is changing the professional, industrial as well as personal landscape. However understanding how the Internet of Things will change the day-to-day experience of being a project manager may take some unpacking.
IoT devices have fundamentally reduced the time it takes for a project to be executed. Communication is a massive, if not the most important aspect, to a project’s well-being. This means that communication can be responsible for making or breaking a project’s execution. And this is just communication among human employees. If IoT devices are included a project may be completed much faster