The PMI Talent Triangle is a model skill set for project managers. It has three vertex that include the following competencies:

• Technical project management
• Leadership
• Strategic and business management

PMI Talent Triangle is like the cake recipe for that the best project manager should have, is the mix of skills, combining elements of business management with technical project management expertise and the ability to lead into the ideal skillset. The most successful project managers rely on these three areas to help them thrive in their work.

Technical Project Management

Is all about have technical knowledge of the project activities needed to complete the project. Know how to calculate the earned value, how to use the schedule network diagram, procurement, cost management and so on. PMI outlines  few of the specific technical skills a project manager need, including the following:

• Agile practice • Data gathering and modeling
• Earned value management • Governance
• Lifecycle management • Performance management
• Requirements management and traceability • Risk management
• Schedule management • Scope management
• Time, budget, cost estimation

In this area is helpful if project manager is aware of the other project specifications. For example, working on a pipeline construction project and having technical knowledge about the materials used in pipeline construction and their specifications and tests.

The ability to understand the difficulties and finding solutions. Understanding the project details and technical issues if you lack the technical knowledge for the project, which may jeopardize the future of your project.

Technical expertise is necessary to complete a project successfully.

Leadership

A project manager must lead the stakeholders to complete the project successfully. Therefore, a project manager should possess leadership skills; it helps to develop a vision and inspiration for all stakeholders to achieve the target. Leadership is about winning as a team.

An effective leader should inspire stakeholders, team members about the future, acting as an effective team leader, proactive and a problem solver and have motivating qualities. At the beginning team is motivated, but as time passes this motivation fades away, so a leader needs the ability to keep them motivated until the project end to complete the project successfully.

The management skills should be consistent; management skills help to get the job done efficiently and decide to whom entrust a particular responsibility or not.

Ensure that the team members possess the required skills to complete the given tasks successfully. If needed give them training or coach them if they lack any skills.

Strategic and Business Management

Strategic and business management helps to analyze business decisions before you implement them. These analyses include cost-benefit analysis, strength and weakness analysis, market conditions, legal requirements, compliance, etc.

The goal of strategic and business management is to give an organization fresh energy for its betterment. This helps the organization to achieve its long-term goals. The strategic and business plan must get support from all stakeholders to secure success.

The third vertex of the PMI Talent Triangle includes the following competencies and skills set: 

• Benefits management and realization • Business acumen
• Competitive analysis • Customer relationship and satisfaction
• Legal and regulatory compliance • Market awareness and conditions
• Operational functions, such as finance, marketing

A complete understanding of the project's purpose and how it supports the organization's goals and objectives allows project managers to thrive and prosper in leading their teams.

The relevance of PMI Talent Triangle for a Project Manager

Any successful project manager will tell you; the blend and balance of skills, qualities and expertise make for a well-rounded and powerful professional. That's why the Talent Triangle works, it is critical because as project managers learn and develop their skills, they need to maintain a balance to maximize success.

The balance of the Talent Triangle's three vertex isn't just about gathering these skillsets. These are all critical areas that a project manager needs to dominate to be successful in their career.

They need to be able to do everything, starting with the technical skills. They need to be able to engage project teams to lead and motivate them. Moreover, they do needs to be guided by their business management understanding.

If you want to drive yourself up to be a successful project manager, straight your skills with the PMI Talent Triangle. It will provide you with the ideal combination of business expertise, technical skills and motivational leadership.

 

Note and Disclaimer: The author of this Blog post is Ivan Alves Moreira. He is the guest author of PMI.hu. The writing reflects the author's own professional opinion, findings, and conclusions, which do not necessarily agree with the position of PMI Budapest, Hungarian Chapter, and cannot be considered as an official recommendation, resolution, or opinion of PMI Budapest. The copyright and publication rights of the writing belong to the original author.