Core Competencies:
Cement for your PMO’s Foundation
Presented by:
Bruce Robertson
Casey Worthington, PMP
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Agenda
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Introduction
Definition of Core Competencies
How Core Competencies fit into the PMO
Why Core Competencies are useful to the PMO
How you can develop your own Core Competencies
Q &A
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Quotation
Project Managers are like the CEO’s of small enterprises. They must
possess skills in a broad range of areas, from finance and marketing
to customer relations.
This view stands in marked contrast to the traditional perspective,
where project managers were seen to be mere implementers of other
peoples solutions.
In the traditional view, project managers were not expected to have
insights outside of their narrow technical area.
(Tom Block, The Project Office)
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Topic Introduction
• Unlike Project Management as such, the PMO conducts regular,
recurring day to day operations, such as:
– hiring, organizing training, evaluating staff performance, etc.
• Many of these ongoing activities require specific tools, such as:
– interview forms, department training strategies, individual training
objectives and plans, performance appraisal forms, etc.
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Topic Introduction
• Core Competencies (CC’s) are a listing and definition
of all the skills needed to be a proficient Project
Manager
• These competencies / skills are personal, not
corporate, but need to be aligned with corporate goals
• These Competencies form a framework with which to
generate a number of highly useful tools needed for
ongoing PMO operations and give substance to the
PMO’s foundation
• The tools themselves are the pillars which support the
goal of any PMO: consistently successful projects
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Quotation
As organizations become more sophisticated in carrying out their
projects, their need for expert knowledge on the intricacies of project
management grows.
The need for specialized knowledge applies to a wide array of
activities, including scheduling, budgeting, writing proposals,
assessing vendors, selecting projects, managing risk, identifying
needs and requirements, managing change requirements, coping with
project politics, and building authority.
If an organization has made a major commitment to conducting its
affairs by means of projects, it will require constant access to project
management expertise.
(Tom Block, The Project Office)
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Overview
Skills
• A listing of the various skills required to be a PM
organized into logical categories
• A definition of each individual skill
Levels
• A listing of skill levels
• A definition of the levels for each skill
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Identifying the PM skill set
CC’s can be divided into Hard and Soft skills
• Hard:
– Eg. Scope definition, Budgeting, Procurement,
Change control, Close-out, Estimating, ...
• Soft
– Eg. Leadership, Team building, Facilitation,
Eagerness to learn, Diplomacy, Stress management...
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
ABT Sample
•Hard Skills
•Soft Skills
Project Definition
Visible Leadership
Flexibility
Sound Business Judgement
Trustworthiness
Exhibits Several Communication Styles
Acts as a Coach and Mentor
Active Listening Skills
Setting and Managing Expectations
Constructive Project Negotiations
Issue and Conflict Resolution
Organizational and Leadership Skills
Planning Process
Develops an estimating plan
Revalidates scope definition
Designs the solution
Develops estimating assumptions
Estimates
Creates the preliminary plan
Controlling Processes
Designs the control process
Defines the success criteria
Sets levels of control
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Granularity
• Different industries have different needs and
expectations for PM’s
• Individual companies structure their PM practice
differently
• PM’s can exist at various levels
– e.g. Program Manager, Sr. PM, PM, Jr. PM,
• Listings of PM skills can be very high level, or
extremely detailed
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Skill Definition
• Defining the terms is important because words can
mean different things to different people
• It is equally important to define the meaning of each
skill, as it applies to the PM’s within your
organization and industry
– E.g. Soft - Leadership (at which level?)
» Personal leadership or Leading a team or organization?
– E.g. Hard - Quality (TQM, Six Sigma, Kaizen, …)
» How do you define and measure quality ?
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Levels of Skill
• Step 1- Define a measurement range (rating system)
– e.g. Range of 1-4 (broad based)
– e.g. Range of 1-10 (more granular)
– e.g. Categorical: beginner-intermediate-expert
• Step 2- Define the skill levels within the range
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Sample - Range
• Skill Level 1
– Understands the basic concept, no practical experience
• Skill Level 2
– Limited practical experience, requires coaching
• Skill Level 3
– Competent, performs this function as part of their regular
routine
• Skill Level 4
– Highly proficient, able to handle complex situations,
mentor to others
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Sample - Categorical
#1
#2
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Not applicable
Not satisfactory
Satisfactory
Very Satisfactory
Extremely satisfactory
Not applicable
Beginner
Intermediate
Expert
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Framework / Matrix
• PM Core Competencies as a Framework:
– A conceptual model underpinning various essential PMO
tools, and
– A conceptual model outlining the totality of skills
necessary to be a fully competent Project Manager
• PM Core Competencies as a Matrix:
– High level format for easy viewing and reference
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
PM Core Competency
Matrix
PM Methodology Skills
Organization and
Management Skills
Personal Skills
Customer Management
Skills
Leadership Skills
Project Planning
Performance Management
Stress Management
Networking
Team building
Scheduling
Manage Meetings
Problem Determination &
Analysis
Professionalism
Managing Expectations
Change Control
Coaching & Mentoring
Creative Thinking
Diplomacy and
political acumen
Persuasion & Influence
Estimating & Budgeting
Time Management
Industry Specific
Knowledge
Consulting Skills
Conflict Management
Quality Management
Decision Making
Corporate Values
Initiative
Resource Management
Negotiation
Eagerness to Learn
Vision
Project Control
Facilitation
Risk Management
Communication
Procurement Management
Close out
Core Competencies Defined
GE Sample Matrix
PM Core Competency
Matrix
PM Methodology
Skills
Personal Skills
Organization and
Management Skills
Leadership Skills
Customer Management
Skills
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
PM Methodology Skills
• Project Planning
• Resource Management
• Scheduling
• Project Control
• Change Control
• Risk Control
• Estimating & Budgeting
• Procurement Management
• Quality Management
• Close out
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Organization & Management Skills
• Performance
Management
• Decision Making
• Negotiation
• Manage Meetings
• Facilitation
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Communication
• Time Management
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Personal Skills
• Stress Management
• Industry Specific
Knowledge
• Problem Determination
& Analysis
• Corporate Values
• Creative Thinking
• Eagerness to Learn
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Customer Management Skills
• Networking
• Professionalism
• Diplomacy and Political Acumen
• Consulting Skills
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Core Competencies Defined
Leadership Skills
• Team Building
• Conflict Management
• Managing Expectations
• Initiative
• Persuasion & Influence
• Vision
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Fitting CC’s into the PMO
PMO Operations:
Successful
projects
PMO
(Roof)
Core Competencies
(Cement for your
Foundation)
Executive
Commitment
(Foundation)
•Fire / Hire
•Training
•Performance
Management
•Quality
•Project selection and
placement
•Market Rates
•Career Paths
•Integration w/HR
•Recognition
•Qualifications
(The Pillars)
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Fitting into the PMO
Core Competencies
in the PMO
Project Admin
Support
Internal / External
Marketing
Methods and
Standards
Gatekeping
HR Functions
Effective Training
Coaching &
Mentoring
Placement on
Projects
Successful Projects
Core Competencies
May Not Apply
Executive Support
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Why are Core Competencies useful
to the PMO ?
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Why are Core Competencies useful to the PMO ?
Core Competency uses:
CC’s are key inputs to other tools and processes
Integration with HR practices:
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Hiring: Interview questions to screen new hires, resume screening
Firing: Performance management
Job descriptions
Compensation
Career path development
Recognition
Better interface between compensation plans and Corporate
objectives
 Qualifications
 Training strategy / plans
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Why are Core Competencies useful to the PMO ?
Core Competencies uses:
Corporate Inputs:
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Go to market strategy
Qualifications
Rates in the marketplace
Internal / external marketing
Quality - performance criteria / measurement
Project selection and placement
Project Management Offerings:
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Coaching and Mentoring / Professional Support
Competency Analysis
Project Manager training
PM Consulting
PMO development
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Why are Core Competencies useful to the PMO ?
How can Core Competencies benefit
your organization ?
Core Competencies are an important foundation for a PMO.
A strong PMO can result in the following benefits:
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Improved bottom line
Improved customer focus
Market recognition
Improved professionalism of Project Managers
Better utilization of scarce resources
Standard, reusable PM methodologies and tools
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Developing Core Competencies in
your organization
 Should be treated as a regular project:
Concept
Development
Execution
Close-Out
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Developing CC’s in your organization
The Concept Phase
 Seek initial management approval
 Approaches
 Commission as an internal / external project
 Volunteerism
 Outsource
 Develop a project charter
 Obtain Budget
 Recruit core project team
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Developing CC’s in your organization
The Development Phase
 Research PM materials
 PMI
 Internet
 Library
 Align with Corporate / strategic direction
 Create WBS and Schedule
 Assign Roles and Responsibilities
 Create Risk and Communication plans
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Developing CC’s in your organization
The Execution Phase
 Develop skills list
 Create definitions
 Categorize
 Hard vs. Soft
Methodology vs. Leadership
 Create skill levels range system/matrix
 Define each skill level
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Developing CC’s in your organization
The Close Out Phase
 Formal project signoff
 Ensure Competencies are used as a
regular part of the PMO operation
 Investigate alternative uses
Inputs to other processes
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Questions ?
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP
Presented on behalf of:
By: Bruce Robertson and Casey Worthington, PMP
The END
Thank You !
Prepared by: Bruce Robertson
and Casey Worthington, PMP