E6: Using AI in Project Management: Solving Real Problems with Curiosity and Context with Molly Beran


August 3, 2026

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:

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.

Contents


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

47:34 Navigating AI Limitations and Human Intervention

48:31 Curiosity and Frustration in AI Implementation

53:13 Practical Applications of AI in Daily Tasks

54:15 Future Plans and Personal Insights


Connect with Molly Beran on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyberan/

Presented By: ProSymmetry – https://www.prosymmetry.com/

Learn More About What’s the Plan? – https://www.prosymmetry.com/whats-the-plan

Hosted and produced by Samantha Varner – https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavarner21/

Produced and edited by Kyle Wertz