Is the focus of core competencies shifting from technical knowledge (schedule, scope, cost) to soft skills (emotional intelligence, collaboration, leadership, coaching)?

Communications Management Organizational Culture Stakeholder Management

Yousaf Khan PM Consultant| City of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As the industry of project, program, and portfolio management continues to evolve, there seems to be an ever-increasing focus on soft skills for project management professionals. How do you think this will affect the profession and what are the benefits?

Posted: Oct 7, 2019 11:02 AM

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James Shields IS Director - Portfolio Solutions| City and County of San Francisco, SFPD San Francisco, Ca, United States

Technical vs. Soft Skills: Over time the focus waxes and wanes between the two.

But regardless of what is 'in the moment' on discussions and what is in print, the reality is that a PM must have both and know when to apply it for the most effective results.

This is not binary; it's like left-brain vs. right brain in that you need both.

Posted: Oct 8, 2019 1:57 PM

Stéphane Parent Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker Prince Edward Island, Canada

Oct 08, 2019 3:35 AM

Replying to Luis Branco

...

On the other hand...
If the processes and procedures are well designed and well defined, if the information recording and control mechanisms are fine-tuned and performed by entities outside the activities performers, what are the project managers' soft skills for?

Well designed and well defined for whom, Luis? As a project manager, I am constantly refining project and organizational processes. Sometimes it's just about improving efficiency; other times it's about adapting to new circumstances.

My current client just "changed" it's release form and process for our project. Lacking user-centric design, the form was not user-friendly and required tweaking.

Posted: Oct 8, 2019 2:45 PM

Yousaf Khan PM Consultant| City of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Very interesting feedback, thank you all!

As the need to be more adaptable to the business environment increases, the need for core competencies in soft skills (Power Skills) will as well. The ability of the PM to navigate the complex, globally distributed stakeholders and teams is sure to have an impact on project delivery.

Posted: Oct 8, 2019 5:06 PM

Sergio Luis Conte Helping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based Organizations Buenos Aires, Argentina

In my opinion, as other things in this world, people including the PMI is talking about "soft skills" due to a need to selling something and mainly because there is nothing new below the sun on project management except new tools and techniques but not project management knowledge areas. People can find an example of that reviewing the last versions (2 or 3) of the PMBOK. At the end, the question is: do you remember a project where "soft skills" are not needed? From the begining of the project management soft skills are a must.

Posted: Oct 10, 2019 5:10 AM

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Is the focus of core competencies shifting from technical knowledge (schedule, scope, cost) to soft skills (emotional intelligence, collaboration, leadership, coaching)?

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