Skills Required of Effective Project Managers

Engineers are increasingly required to undertake the management of projects. This paper examines the role of the project manager in relation to the skills required to fulfill this position. The different organizational models for the management of projects are discussed to highlight the unique position that the project manager occupies. His or her situation is characterized by a high degree of dependence on individuals and organizations over whom the manager has either limited or no managerial authority. The difficulties inherent in the project management situation are compounded by the increasing complexity of environmental, regulatory, project financing, and political issues. This requires very special kinds of skills. The project manager's two major functions are to integrate all elements of the project system and provide leadership to the project team. His or her effectiveness will depend on conceptual, human, and negotiating skills as well as, to a lesser extent, on technical skills. The ngredient that is common to the range of skills necessary to his or her effectiveness is the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.