10 skills for next generation of PM

The 10 essential skills for the next generation of project managers, as identified by the research you mentioned, are indeed critical for success in the evolving landscape of project management. Here’s a summary of these skills:

1. Institutional Knowledge: Understanding your organization’s culture, history, policies, and inner workings is essential for effective project management within your specific context.

2. Data Management: The ability to work with data is increasingly vital as organizations rely on data-driven decision-making. Project managers should be proficient in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform their projects.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborative work across various departments and teams is crucial. Project managers must excel in fostering cooperation and communication among diverse stakeholders.

4. Decision-Making: Effective decision-making is key. Project managers need to make timely and informed decisions, whether they involve people, data, or technology, to keep projects on track.

5. Technology Adoption: Being open to and adept at adopting new technologies is essential in the modern workplace. Project managers should leverage technology to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.

6. Financial Acumen: Understanding financial aspects, including budgeting, cost control, and ROI analysis, is important for managing project resources effectively.

7. Business Processes and Frameworks: Familiarity with various business processes and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Lean, Six Sigma) can help project managers select the right approach for their projects.

8. Customer Focus: Keeping the customer’s needs and expectations at the forefront is crucial for delivering value and ensuring project success.

9. Growth Mindset: A growth mindset fosters adaptability and resilience in project managers, enabling them to learn and evolve as the project landscape changes.

10. Team Training and Motivation: Building and leading high-performing teams is critical. Project managers should possess the skills to motivate and train team members effectively.

These skills reflect the changing demands of project management in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment. Project managers who develop and master these skills will be better equipped to succeed in their roles and drive positive outcomes for their organizations.

Your detailed explanation highlights the evolving roles and skills required for project managers in the changing landscape of modern organizations. The roles of “Teacher,” “Reformer,” and “Coordinator” provide project managers with new avenues to add value to their organizations. Here’s a summary of these future-focused project manager roles:

1. Teacher (Mentor): This role is crucial for organizations taking their first steps in their digital journey. Mentor project managers enhance the competencies of delivery teams across different departments. They excel in coaching and motivating individuals and teams, teaching project management processes and frameworks, and facilitating the adoption of new technologies. Effective communication skills enable them to coach stakeholders on complex concepts, including regulatory and compliance activities. Mentor project managers are especially valuable for organizations with relatively inexperienced product owners or those without a strict 1-to-1 ratio of product owners to delivery teams.

2. Reformer (Fixer): Reformer project managers are adept at enhancing delivery efficiency within organizations facing complex workflow and portfolio management challenges. They identify, resolve, and mitigate complex problems creatively. These project managers excel in collaborative work with various departments, possess strong decision-making and financial skills, and can address risks at the project or portfolio level. They are valuable for organizations undergoing digital transformation, changing operating models, or experiencing difficulties in cross-departmental interaction and compatibility.

3. Coordinator (Resource Manager): Coordinating project managers play a pivotal role in organizations aiming to improve coordination among their departments. They manage high levels of complexity and support delivery teams within resource-constrained environments. These project managers are experts in data manipulation, customer focus, and organizational knowledge. They gather diverse information and ideas, align them with strategic imperatives, and translate them into actionable initiatives. Coordinators possess strong institutional knowledge and multi-stakeholder skills, making them valuable for organizations with complex investment portfolios and diverse stakeholders, particularly those focusing on customer-oriented initiatives.

It’s clear that the future of project management demands not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of the human aspects of leadership and collaboration. The ability to coach, build relationships, and make a broader organizational impact is what sets next-generation project managers apart from their predecessors. Organizations that invest in developing these skills and empowering project managers to perform these new roles will be better positioned to thrive in today’s rapidly changing business environment.