Project Management Competency

Framework
(Source: Project DPro Guide – 2nd Edition)
 Project Management Competency Framework

Project Management Competency Framework helps to identify the requisite skills of project
managers and can then serve as a tool to assess skill levels, identify areas for improvement, and to
map areas for career development. While multiple competency models exist for project managers,
the Project Management Competency Framework organizes project management competencies into
four areas:

PM Technical
These are often referred to collectively as the ‘science’ behind project management. Can the project
manager identify, select, and employ the right tools and processes to ensure project management
success?

Characteristics:

• Proactively manage scope

• Comprehensively identify the activities required for project success
• Manage the overall schedule to ensure work is on time
• Define and collect metrics to measure project progress
• Identify, track, manage and resolve project issues
• Proactively disseminate project information to all stakeholders
• Identify, manage, and mitigate project risk
• Establish logistics systems
• Ensure that project deliverables are of acceptable quality
• Identify if and when changes need to occur and the impact of those changes on the project
• Plan and manage the budget and the expenditure of the project

Leadership/Interpersonal
Often referred to collectively as the ‘art’ of project management. For example, how does the project
manager communicate, inspire, and resolve conflict?

Characteristics:

• Vision the ‘big picture’ of a project within an organization portfolio

• Champion the project (promoting buy-in)
• Communicate vision – setting reasonable, challenging expectations
• Provide timely and helpful performance feedback to team members
• Facilitate a productive team environment
• Communicate proactively (verbal and written), including active listening
• Motivate team members to willingly follow direction and achieve goals

Personal/Self-Management
The project manager’s ability to self-manage. For example, can the project manager effectively
prioritize, manage time, and organize work?

Characteristics:
 • Organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task
• Logical thinking
• Analytical thinking
• Self-discipline
• Time management

Development Sector Specific

The ability to apply the PM technical, leadership/interpersonal, and personal/self-management
competencies in the context of development projects. For example, can the project manager
identify, select, and employ the right tools and processes that are unique and specific to the
development sector

Characteristics:

• Understand development sector values and paradigms (or mode of operation)

• Understand the different stakeholders involved in development projects
• Understand and navigate complex development environments
• Work effectively with an array of implementing partners
• Cope with the unique pressures of development environments
• Exhibit cultural sensitivity

The competency level a project manager needs in each of these areas will vary in accordance to the
size, complexity, and risk of the project. However, despite their differences, all projects can benefit
from using this model to better ensure that:

• the activities are comprehensively identified, prioritized, and sequenced

• the schedule is thorough and identifies the interrelated elements of the project plan
• procurement processes (for both materials and contractors) are identified and implemented
• communications norms for appropriate stakeholders are in place and executed
• personnel systems exist for staff, volunteers, and implementing partners
• risks are anticipated and monitored
• a system is in place to ensure that the projects meet acceptable quality standards
• a change management process is in place and managed.

As the responsibilities of a project manager increase – from simple projects to more complex
projects – the knowledge, skills, and behaviors in each of these competency areas will need to
increase as well. Furthermore, one of the most distinct skills that project managers need to develop
over time is the ability identify alternatives that exist to address a challenge (budget overruns, team
conflicts, ambiguous roles, shifting schedules, unanticipated risks) and respond using the
appropriate competency that fits the unique needs of each situation