Wrike, a project management service, unveiled a significant platform update today at its user conference. This update introduces extensive new artificial intelligence capabilities designed to maintain project schedules and ensure timely completion, alongside tailored solutions for marketing teams and project management offices within large enterprises. Additionally, the company introduced a new budgeting function and refinements to the overall user interface.

The core of this release is undoubtedly the integration of new AI and machine learning functionalities within Wrike. Leveraging data gathered from its substantial user base of over 2 million individuals across more than 20,000 customers, Wrike is now equipped to power these advanced machine learning models.

Wrike’s application of AI is categorized into three key areas: predicting project risks, prioritizing tasks, and streamlining the project management process.

Determining project status and identifying potential delays is often a substantial part of project management. Wrike can now forecast possible setbacks and notify project and team leaders when it detects indicators of potential problems. This is achieved by utilizing fundamental data such as project start and end dates, but more importantly, by analyzing the outcomes of comparable past projects to evaluate risks. These predictions can then be integrated with Wrike’s automation features to initiate actions aimed at mitigating project risks.

The task prioritization feature functions as expected, assisting users in identifying the most important tasks to focus on for project advancement.

Notably, the company is also introducing voice command functionality (via Siri on iOS) and smart reply suggestions similar to those found in Gmail (available in English for both iOS and Android). While not traditional project management features, these additions aim to reduce friction and minimize delays. Another new capability in this area is support for optical character recognition, enabling users to scan printed or handwritten notes from their mobile devices and attach them to tasks (iOS only).

“As the lines between work and personal life blur with more employees working remotely,” the company explained, “users are increasingly expecting the intelligent features they experience in their personal apps and devices to be available in their work tools. Wrike Work Intelligence represents a comprehensive machine learning foundation, drawing on tens of millions of work-related interactions to facilitate cross-functional collaboration, enhance operational efficiency, unlock new opportunities, and accelerate digital transformation. Teams can concentrate on critical work, anticipate and minimize delays, and reduce communication lag.”

For those involved in digital marketing, another significant new feature is Wrike’s ability to integrate data from approximately 50 advertising, marketing automation, and social media platforms, displaying this information directly within the Wrike environment. In a dynamic field, having all relevant data readily accessible within the project management tool appears to be a valuable asset.

Relatedly, Wrike’s new budgeting feature simplifies project cost management by providing a built-in rate card for managing project pricing and updating financial information.

“We utilize Wrike as a comprehensive system for project management and performance metrics,” stated Shannon Buerk, CEO of engage2learn, who participated in testing the new budgeting tool. “We’ve evaluated other PM systems and found Wrike to be the best overall solution – user-friendly for everyone while also providing insightful reporting. Transforming inefficiencies into productive time that supports our mission is crucial for fostering a culture of engagement and ownership, even in remote settings. Wrike has been instrumental in helping us achieve this.”