Date: 16/12/2018

Prepared by: Majed Abdeen

Introduction

Future Project Leaders (PLs) face a challenging role demanding personal/interpersonal traits/skills and understanding of the industry (Ahsan, et al., 2013, pp. 2, 5). Project Management knowledge increases with changes (Morris, 2013, p. 25); PLs are well-equipped for change thus organisations must utilise them (PMI, 2018, p. 13).

Driving Factors

Three key factors driving the requirement for specific skills and traits PLs need can be identified; Digitisation, Environment, and Approaches.

Digitisation

Developments in Digital/Disruptive technologies change behaviour, productivity and performance (Morris, 2013, p. 19). As organisations use projects to adopt technology, PLS require specific digital skills (PMI, 2018, p. 3). PLs automate repetitive tasks, and enable accuracy in estimating/forecasting tasks through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), thus the role/skills/traits required of PLs is evolving; PLs will focus more on human-based skills.

Environment

As project management expands into new industries (PMI, 2017 b, p. 3), they adopt new technological tools (PMI, 2018, p. 3), and contracts are aligned for success, changing management of projects (Morris, 2013, p. 9).

Approaches

PLs must use a variety of approaches; practice differs based on approach, thus different skills/traits are required (Morris, 2013, p. 19). Future organisations will use flexible, collaborative approaches such as lean, agile practice, and scrum (PMI, 2018, p. 4); project management will become intuitive, not procedural (Morris, 2013, p. 19).

Future Project Leaders

How will PLs deal with these changes? They must acquire and maintain skills and traits.

Skills

PMI identifies key skills which must be combined with the PMI Talent Triangle of Business Management, Leadership, and Technical skills, including:

• • Data science (data management, analytics, big data),

  • Innovative mindset,

  • Security and privacy knowledge,

  • Legal and regulatory compliance knowledge,

  • Ability to make data-driven decisions, and

  • Collaborative leadership. (PMI, 2018, p. 5)

PLs must adapt management to fit their environment (Ahsan, et al., 2013, p. 1). Research demonstrates demand for communication, education, technical, stakeholder management, and cost management skills (Ahsan, et al., 2013, p. 25).

Traits

PLs must focus inwardly (self-control, analytical/conceptual thinking) and outwardly (focus on stakeholders, leadership) (Ahsan, et al., 2013, pp. 9-10). Understanding behaviour/motivation enables good leadership, a critical success factor (PMI, 2017 a, p. 60). Projects require different leadership (Ahsan, et al., 2013, pp. 5, 6, 9), thus PLs must be able to identify when to apply servant, interactional, or other styles, using Emotional Intelligence for effective leadership (Ahsan, et al., 2013, p. 11). With emphasis on agile approaches (PMI, 2018, p. 4; Morris, 2013, p. 19), PLs must be adept servant leaders. Key PL traits are illustrated in figure 1 below.