The role of project managers has increasingly grown to meet more complex and demanding projects and deadlines.
Project Management Institute (PMI) is the standard organization for project management and, in turn, they have had to evolve as well. To address the challenges of the new technological era we are in, PMI introduced the PMI Talent Triangle.
This PMI Talent Triangle is a comprehensive framework that emphasizes the balanced development of skills that are essential for project managers to succeed.
But why exactly do we need to use this model? And how does it benefit us as project management professionals?
That’s what this article is going to delve into today. We are going to review the work of the PMI Talent Triangle and uncover its significance for today’s project management profession.
Understanding the PMI Talent Triangle
The PMI Talent Triangle is a model that represents the ideal skill set for project managers.
It consists of three key areas:
Ways of Working (formerly Technical Project Management)
Power Skills (formerly Leadership)
Business Acumen (formerly Strategic & Business Management)
PMI developed this PMI Talent Triangle to address the evolving needs of project managers across all the different industries. Each one aligns to the skills needed to equip project managers with well-rounded skills needed in any industry.
Ways of Working: The Foundation of a Successful Project Manager
Once known as Technical Project Management, Ways of Working encompasses the fundamental domain-specific knowledge and skills of project management.
This category hits the requires skills for a project manager to effectively manage projects. It includes the project management professional domain specific knowledge areas such as:
Scope Management
Scheduling
Budget
Risk Management
Quality Control
Now, I know what you might be asking yourself. “Why do certified project managers who already passed the PMP need this “Ways of Working” in the PMI Talent Triangle? Didn’t they [we] study for hours to earn this certification and show mastery over these topics?”
Yes, this is true, but as the project management field evolves, so does the information within “Way of Working”.
But these technical skills alone no longer are sufficient for project success. They do remain the foundation that project management is built around, though.
A project manager with strong “Ways of Working” skills can accurately execute their responsibilities like:
Accurately estimate project timelines
Allocate resources efficiently
Conduct risk management working groups
Implement the proper techniques to keep a project on track
Ways of working also includes technological advancements within project management software and tools. It also includes the various project management methodologies like Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall.
Ways of Working ensures that every project manager has the practical and up-to-date skills to execute and excel in the field – providing value across their organizations.
Power Skills: Guiding Teams to Excellence
The second component of the PMI Talent Triangle is Power Skills, previously labeled as just Leadership.
This area focuses on the interpersonal skills and leadership ability project managers need to guide their teams, maintain connection with stakeholders, and navigate the complex human dynamics of project environments.
Power skills, sometimes referred to as “Soft Skills”, includes the abilities such as:
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Team Building
Motivational Leadership
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
And so many more
But, why do we emphasize power skills within the Talent Triangle?
In today’s project management landscape, being technical proficient can only get you so far. Projects today are often spread across different locations and cultures, involving diverse skills and people.
The ability to lead, inspire, and communicate with these teams is not an option, it is a necessity. And it can make a world of different between your projects success and failure!
Power skills are essential. They are needed for:
Communicating with stakeholders
Managing stakeholder expectations
Working across departments for negotiating resources
Navigating organizational politics.
They enable project managers to build strong relationships, influence decision-makers, and maintain support for their projects throughout the organization.
Business Acumen: Aligning Projects with Organizational Strategy
Our final component of the PMI Talent Triange is Business Acumen. The area formerly known as Strategic and Business Management.
Business Acumen drives project managers to know and understand the business environment, industry trends, and the how projects improve value for their organizations.
This area includes skills such as
Strategic planning
Financial management
Market awareness
Ability to make effective business decisions.
Why is business acumen crucial for project managers?
We are living in a competitive business environment. It is not enough for projects to be delivered on time and within budget. They must also deliver value to the organization and contribute to its strategic objectives.
Project managers with strong business acumen can ensure their projects align with the company’s greater goals, justify project investments, and demonstrate the value of project outcomes to stakeholders.
Moreover, business acumen allows project managers to anticipate and respond to changes in the business environment that may impact their projects.
It enables them to make informed decisions that balance project constraints with business needs and to communicate project value in terms that resonate with executives and stakeholders.
Why the PMI Talent Triangle is Crucial for Project Managment
The PMI Talent Triangle addresses a critical need in the project management profession.
Historically, many project managers focused primarily on developing their technical skills alone.
While technical expertise is important, project managers today need to be have a holistic view of the project management landscape. Being hyper-focused in one skill set is not going to work for their professional growth and the betterment of the profession.
By emphasizing the development of skills across all three areas, the Talent Triangle ensures that project managers are well-equipped to handle the multifaceted challenges of modern project management. And helps bridge the technical gap between different industries.
It recognizes that successful project delivery relies on the ability to lead teams effectively and align projects with business strategies.
The synergy between the three components of the Talent Triangle is what truly sets it apart.
Technical skills provide the foundation for effective project execution.
Leadership skills enable project managers to guide their teams and stakeholders towards project goals.
Business acumen ensures that projects deliver real value to the organization.
Together, these skills create a powerful toolkit that enables project managers to drive project success and advance their careers.
Implementing the PMI Talent Triangle in Professional Development
For current PMI certification holders, the PMI Talent Triangle serves as a valuable framework for the ongoing professional development needed to maintain ones certification. Sometimes referred to as certification maintenance.
PMI uses the Talent Triangle in its certification programs, requiring professionals to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) across all three skill areas to maintain their certifications.
This approach ensures that certified project managers continue to develop a well-rounded skill set throughout their careers.
There are numerous resources available for developing skills in each area of the Talent Triangle.
These include
Offered courses
Webinars
Conferences
Third-party training programs
Books
Online resources
Many project managers also find value in seeking out diverse project experiences that allow them to develop and apply skills across all three areas of the PMI Talent Triangle. It also challenges them to jump into the areas they are not as skills in, so they can grow and develop in that area.
The Future of Project Management and the PMI Talent Triangle
We are living a time where the field of project management is truly evolving. We are witnessing the growth of merging trends in:
Artificial Intelligence
Remote Work
Sustainability
International Coordination
And being able to understand trends in these areas are required not just for project success, but for each project managers value to the evolving workforce.
The PMI Talent Triangle has flexibility, allowing it to adapt to these changes.
For instance, the recent growth in Agile Project Management and PMI’s micro-credentials, the PMI Talent Triangle encompasses what those courses teach – assisting project managers to grow with the new PMI initiatives.
By developing skills across the Talent Triangle, project managers can prepare themselves for future challenges and opportunities. The balanced skill set promoted by the PMI Talent Triangle fosters an innovative mindset and adaptive capabilities, essential traits for navigating the uncertain and rapidly changing business landscape.
Conclusion
The PMI Talent Triangle is more than just a model—it’s a powerful tool for developing well-rounded, effective project managers.
By emphasizing the importance of ways of working, power skills, and business acumen, it addresses the complex demands of modern project management.
We use the PMI Talent Triangle because it:
Provides a comprehensive framework for professional development
Ensures that project managers have the diverse skills needed for success
Helps align project management capabilities with organizational needs.
For project managers looking to advance their careers and drive project success, embracing the Talent Triangle is not just beneficial—it’s essential.
The project management landscape continues to evolve, the PMI Talent Triangle will undoubtedly evolve with it.
By committing to ongoing development across all three areas of the PMI Talent Triangle, project managers can position themselves for long-term success and make meaningful contributions to their organizations and the profession as a whole.
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