I am studying in project management major. In our class, we have talked about soft skills in project management such as presentation skill, leadership skill, communication skill and others. We also discuss which skill (hard skill or soft skill) is more important than another. In my opinion, hard skill is more important than soft skill (around 70/30, hard skill/soft skill) because if consultant lacks knowledge in area, he/she cannot consult anything to his/her client. For soft skills, it can support consult skill to be more perfectly. For example, the communication skill can help him/her to make his/her client understand the solution clearly.
What do you think? Hard Skils or Soft Skills? Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
The importance of hard and soft skills in project management varies between industries, organizations and projects. It's impossible to say that one is generally more important than another.
That said, if I had to choose to take either hard skills or soft skills into an unknown project environment I'd choose soft skills. I've seen far more projects struggle because Project Managers lacked communication skills than technical expertise.
It shouldn't be an either/or conversation. The hard skills are the foundation for a good project manager. If you were trying to hire an experienced project manager, would you hire someone with good soft skills but no hard skills? Fortunately, hard skills are, usually, easier to teach than soft skills.
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1 reply by Vangthip Rattanapongpasuk
Apr 22, 2017 4:56 AM
Vangthip Rattanapongpasuk
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Thanks for your good comments.
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Adilson PizeCEO and Consultant| Excellence ConsultantsCaxias Do Sul, Rs, Brazil
Soft skills 80% / Hard skills 20%
Why?
Because is hard skills are easy to improve, and because no matter how good the techniques are, ultimately they will be executed by people, and for this the project manager needs soft skills. Like Aaron Porter said in his post, hard skills are the foundation for a project manager, but what will allow his success and the success of a project are his soft skills.
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1 reply by Vangthip Rattanapongpasuk
Apr 22, 2017 4:59 AM
Vangthip Rattanapongpasuk
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Thank you for your feedback. It makes me understand clearly.
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Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Soft skills - generally have it or not
Hard skills - can be learned
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2 replies by Adilson Pize and Vangthip Rattanapongpasuk
Apr 22, 2017 5:00 AM
Vangthip Rattanapongpasuk
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Thank you for your comment.
Apr 22, 2017 9:31 AM
Adilson Pize
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Andrew, I don't agree. Soft skills are more difficult to develop, but is possible. Each person needs make a self assessment to understand their weknesses, and take the actions to improve the soft skills that he or she needs.
All of us need improve soft skills along our whole life. Nobody is "the best" in soft skills, and who thinks this is doomeed to failure.
The importance of hard and soft skills in project management varies between industries, organizations and projects. It's impossible to say that one is generally more important than another.
That said, if I had to choose to take either hard skills or soft skills into an unknown project environment I'd choose soft skills. I've seen far more projects struggle because Project Managers lacked communication skills than technical expertise.
Thank you for sharing from your experience. Saving Changes...
It shouldn't be an either/or conversation. The hard skills are the foundation for a good project manager. If you were trying to hire an experienced project manager, would you hire someone with good soft skills but no hard skills? Fortunately, hard skills are, usually, easier to teach than soft skills.
Soft skills 80% / Hard skills 20%
Why?
Because is hard skills are easy to improve, and because no matter how good the techniques are, ultimately they will be executed by people, and for this the project manager needs soft skills. Like Aaron Porter said in his post, hard skills are the foundation for a project manager, but what will allow his success and the success of a project are his soft skills.
Thank you for your feedback. It makes me understand clearly. Saving Changes...
Soft skills - generally have it or not
Hard skills - can be learned
Thank you for your comment. Saving Changes...
Adilson PizeCEO and Consultant| Excellence ConsultantsCaxias Do Sul, Rs, Brazil
Apr 21, 2017 4:52 PM
Replying to Drew Craig
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Soft skills - generally have it or not
Hard skills - can be learned
Andrew, I don't agree. Soft skills are more difficult to develop, but is possible. Each person needs make a self assessment to understand their weknesses, and take the actions to improve the soft skills that he or she needs.
All of us need improve soft skills along our whole life. Nobody is "the best" in soft skills, and who thinks this is doomeed to failure.
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1 reply by Drew Craig
Apr 22, 2017 9:39 AM
Drew Craig
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Sure Adilson, agreed. My answer was certainly very generalized. But, yes, certainly, soft skills can be improved upon, as with anything else. I also agree, there is no best, as that is subjective. What is important is the strive for personal development and achievement.
Cheers.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Apr 22, 2017 9:31 AM
Replying to Adilson Pize
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Andrew, I don't agree. Soft skills are more difficult to develop, but is possible. Each person needs make a self assessment to understand their weknesses, and take the actions to improve the soft skills that he or she needs.
All of us need improve soft skills along our whole life. Nobody is "the best" in soft skills, and who thinks this is doomeed to failure.
Sure Adilson, agreed. My answer was certainly very generalized. But, yes, certainly, soft skills can be improved upon, as with anything else. I also agree, there is no best, as that is subjective. What is important is the strive for personal development and achievement.
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