I think the most important skills are:
1. Interpersonal skills
2. Technical understanding of project in hand
3. Ability to identify potential issues and proactively manage them
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Feb 10, 2017 10:55 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Thanks for your input Sachin.
Interpersonal Skills is a wide expression so which of the interpersonal skills you think is the most important ?
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 10, 2017 10:42 AM
Replying to Sachin Pate
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I think the most important skills are:
1. Interpersonal skills
2. Technical understanding of project in hand
3. Ability to identify potential issues and proactively manage them
Thanks for your input Sachin.
Interpersonal Skills is a wide expression so which of the interpersonal skills you think is the most important ?
...
1 reply by Sachin Pate
Feb 10, 2017 11:45 AM
Sachin Pate
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Interpersonal skills is broad term. PM should be able to build relationship, create positive collaborative environment to get the work done from the teams. PM also has to build relationship and repo with stakeholders which helps him to get their support.
Many times in functional organization, the teams are not reporting to you and may be working on different projects. You need skill to get your work done whenever needed.
I agree with Sachin's points 1 and 3. We disagree on #2 as I believe this both dilutes and biases the PM's ability to rationally execute #3.
Sorry Sachin, but from what I've seen, requiring a PM to have technical understanding of the project at hand is one of the greatest misconceptions of sponsors and hiring manages and one of the leading causes of persistent project failures. And the larger the project the more serious this misconception becomes.
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3 replies by Darren McCrea, Rami Kaibni, and Sachin Pate
Feb 10, 2017 11:41 AM
Sachin Pate
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Technical understanding in the sense which helps PM to identify inter dependencies between applications or tasks. If something falls behind it helps PM to identify resolution quickly.
Feb 10, 2017 12:07 PM
Rami Kaibni
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In fact, I am sorry too Cris but I disagree with your your point of you view with regards to Point #2 and this is of course my personal opinion:
You do not need to be an expert technically but you need to have the minimum technical experience to be able to lead a project. This differs from one project to another depending on the nature of the project and the industry. For example, in construction, if you do not have technical experience as a PM, then your ability to identify potential issues and proactively manage them will be weak.
Feb 15, 2017 6:23 PM
Darren McCrea
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Hi Cris,
Had to think about your response. Initially, I would have to disagree. Without a technical understanding of the processes required to create the deliverables, how would you be able to identify potential issues (or risks, for that matter)? Furthermore, in my opinion, having that technical understanding can be beneficial when trying to identify resolutions.
I have heard the adage that a good PM can manage a project in any field, but I'm not sure I agree that having experience in a specific field dilutes a PM's ability to resolve an issue.
Not trying to be argumentative, but was hoping you could elaborate?
Saving Changes...
Neil WalkerAgile Coach / ICAgile Authorised Instructor / SPC| Catalyst ConsultingUttoxeter, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
When one refers to a skill, we tend to look to a proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.
In my opinion this may be quite limiting when it comes to professions such as project management. Professions typically require a plethora of skills and the ability to exploit these either independently or in concurrently.
I think the question that one should be asking is what competency (a cluster of related abilities, knowledge, and skills that enable a person (or an organization) to act effectively in a job or situation). Competencies, may incorporate a skill or multiple skills, but are more than these skill(s), they include abilities and behaviours, as well as knowledge that is fundamental to the use of a skill(s).
For me the key competency for a project manager is leadership (covers a multitude of skills, behaviours and experiences).
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Feb 10, 2017 12:05 PM
Rami Kaibni
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Neil,
Thanks for your input - It definitely makes sense. Competency might be a more precise terms to use.
Among the various skills and behaviors covered under leadership, in your opinion which ones makes the most difference ? (I know all are very important).
I agree with Sachin's points 1 and 3. We disagree on #2 as I believe this both dilutes and biases the PM's ability to rationally execute #3.
Sorry Sachin, but from what I've seen, requiring a PM to have technical understanding of the project at hand is one of the greatest misconceptions of sponsors and hiring manages and one of the leading causes of persistent project failures. And the larger the project the more serious this misconception becomes.
Technical understanding in the sense which helps PM to identify inter dependencies between applications or tasks. If something falls behind it helps PM to identify resolution quickly.
Interpersonal Skills is a wide expression so which of the interpersonal skills you think is the most important ?
Interpersonal skills is broad term. PM should be able to build relationship, create positive collaborative environment to get the work done from the teams. PM also has to build relationship and repo with stakeholders which helps him to get their support.
Many times in functional organization, the teams are not reporting to you and may be working on different projects. You need skill to get your work done whenever needed. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 10, 2017 11:35 AM
Replying to Neil Walker
...
When one refers to a skill, we tend to look to a proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.
In my opinion this may be quite limiting when it comes to professions such as project management. Professions typically require a plethora of skills and the ability to exploit these either independently or in concurrently.
I think the question that one should be asking is what competency (a cluster of related abilities, knowledge, and skills that enable a person (or an organization) to act effectively in a job or situation). Competencies, may incorporate a skill or multiple skills, but are more than these skill(s), they include abilities and behaviours, as well as knowledge that is fundamental to the use of a skill(s).
For me the key competency for a project manager is leadership (covers a multitude of skills, behaviours and experiences).
Neil,
Thanks for your input - It definitely makes sense. Competency might be a more precise terms to use.
Among the various skills and behaviors covered under leadership, in your opinion which ones makes the most difference ? (I know all are very important). Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 10, 2017 11:07 AM
Replying to Cris Casey
...
I agree with Sachin's points 1 and 3. We disagree on #2 as I believe this both dilutes and biases the PM's ability to rationally execute #3.
Sorry Sachin, but from what I've seen, requiring a PM to have technical understanding of the project at hand is one of the greatest misconceptions of sponsors and hiring manages and one of the leading causes of persistent project failures. And the larger the project the more serious this misconception becomes.
In fact, I am sorry too Cris but I disagree with your your point of you view with regards to Point #2 and this is of course my personal opinion:
You do not need to be an expert technically but you need to have the minimum technical experience to be able to lead a project. This differs from one project to another depending on the nature of the project and the industry. For example, in construction, if you do not have technical experience as a PM, then your ability to identify potential issues and proactively manage them will be weak. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 10, 2017 11:41 AM
Replying to Sachin Pate
...
Technical understanding in the sense which helps PM to identify inter dependencies between applications or tasks. If something falls behind it helps PM to identify resolution quickly.
I agree with you 100% Sachin. Saving Changes...
Satish SharmaCertified SAP S4Hana 1909 Financials Expert| FreelanceNew Delhi, India
The most important skill is 'The Problem Solving', it contains knowledge, attitude and practice to master this skill.
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