Lost in Translation: Managing Digital Projects with Virtual Teams – Challenges, Opportunities, and Required Digital Intelligence Skills

The digitization of project management has accelerated in recent years, driven by remote work and the adoption of digital tools. This evolution of work includes new challenges, such as virtual collaboration, work coordination, and trust building. Addressing these challenges requires more than mere technological adaptation; it necessitates the development of digital intelligence (DQ). DQ encompasses the ability to acquire and apply knowledge in digital technologies, fostering skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and effectively. Despite growing interest in DQ skills within management studies, there is limited research on their application in digital project management. This study, employing an exploratory research design and semi-structured interviews, examines ten challenges and five opportunities faced by project managers (PMs) in managing digital projects with virtual teams. Furthermore, it identifies the DQ skills necessary for effective management in this context, thereby contributing to both research and practice.