What are the most important Competences for a project manager? - Software engineering

Definition of Project Manager: The role of a project manager is distinct from that of a functional manager or operations manager. Typically,...

What are the most important Competences for a project manager?

What are the most important skills for a project manager

Definition of Project Manager:

The role of a project manager is distinct from that of a functional manager or operations manager. Typically, the functional manager focuses on providing management oversight for a functional or business unit. Operations managers are responsible for ensuring that business operations are efficient. 
The project manager is the person assigned by the performing organization to lead the team that is responsible for achieving the project objectives.

The 3 most important Competences for a project manager:

Recent PMI studies applied the Project Manager Competency Development (PMCD) Framework to the skills needed by project managers through the use of The PMI Talent Triangle® shown in Figure 1-1. The talent triangle focuses on three key skill sets:
  • Strategic and business management. The knowledge of and expertise in the industry and organization that enhanced performance and better delivers business outcomes.
  • Technical project management. The knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to specific domains of the project, program, and portfolio management. The technical aspects of performing one’s role. 
  • Leadership. The knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to guide motivate, and direct a team, to help an organization achieve its business goals.
In this article, we will discuss Strategic and Business Management Skills and Technical project management
1-Strategic and business management skills:
Strategic and business management skills involve the ability to see the high-level overview of the organization and effectively negotiate and implement decisions and actions that support strategic alignment and innovation. 

This ability may include a working knowledge of other functions such as finance, marketing, and operations. Strategic and business management skills may also include developing and applying pertinent product and industry expertise. 

This business knowledge is also known as domain knowledge. Project managers should be knowledgeable enough about the business to be able to:
  • Explain to others the essential business aspects of a project; uu 
  • Work with the project sponsor, team, and subject matter experts to develop an appropriate project delivery strategy; and uu 
  • Implement that strategy in a way that maximizes the business value of the project.
In order to make the best decisions regarding the successful delivery of their projects, project managers should seek out and consider the expertise of the operational managers who run the business in their organization. 

These managers should know the work performed in their organization and how project plans will affect that work. The more the project manager is able to know about the project’s subject matter, the better. 

At a minimum, the project manager should be knowledgeable enough to explain to others the following aspects of the organization:
  • Strategy
  • Mission
  • Goals and objectives; uu Products and services
  • Operations (e.g., location, type, technology)
  • The market and the market condition, such as customers, state of the market (i.e., growing or shrinking), and time-to-market factors, etc.; and
  • Competition (e.g., what, who, position in the marketplace).
The project manager should apply the following knowledge and information about the organization to the project to ensure alignment:
  • Strategy, uu Mission
  • Goals and objectives
  • Priority
  • Tactics, and
  • Products or services (e.g., deliverables).
2-Technical project management skills
Technical project management skills are defined as the skills to effectively apply project management knowledge to deliver the desired outcomes for programs or projects. There are numerous technical project management skills. 

The Knowledge Areas in this guide describe many of these necessary project management skills. Project managers frequently rely on expert judgment to perform well. Being aware of personal expertise and where to find others with the needed expertise are important for success as a project manager. 
According to research. the top project managers consistently demonstrated several key skills including, but not limited to, the ability to:
  • Focus on the critical technical project management elements for each project they manage. This focus is as simple as having the right artifacts readily available. At the top of the list were the following:
    **Critical success factors for the project,
    **Schedule,
    **Selected financial reports, and
    **Issue log. 
  • Tailor both traditional and agile tools, techniques, and methods for each project.
  • Make time to plan thoroughly and prioritize diligently. 
  • Manage project elements, including, but not limited to, schedule, cost, resources, and risks.

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