Fostering Agile IT Project Management and Interpersonal Skills Using AI-Enhanced Game-Based Learning

This research-to-practice full paper showcases the integration of AI-enhanced game-based learning in an IT project management course, aimed at improving students' Agile project management skills. We provide a qualitative analysis of students' reflections on teamwork in the IT project management course, alongside standardized course feedback. Students collaborate in teams of 5–7 on self-selected topics, creating coarse prototypes. The analysis revealed key success factors in teamwork, including effective communication, apportionment of work, regular meetings, and high motivation. Barriers included poor time management, unproductive meetings, external obligations, and absenteeism. Course feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students valuing the course structure, atmosphere, and lecturer. Suggestions for improvement focused on workload reduction. Then, from these 48 teamwork reflections, we identify requirements for developing an AI-enhanced game-based project simulation platform. The main goal of the platform is to enhance the Agile skills of the students. The course and prototype serve as valuable resources for educators and curriculum designers, with future work focusing on student evaluation and further AI integration.