Project Management

development, chemical processing, or commercial construction.
Your ability to guide and coordinate the application of these
technologies is crucial to your success as a project manager. If
you’re like Brad, you’ll probably have sufficient knowledge and
skills in the primary embedded technology of the project.
However, it’s likely that there will be several technology areas
associated with your project. Although they will differ in focus,
the process steps and related skills involved in managing their
successful application will be similar.
Among these technology management skills are the follow-
ing:

• proficiency in project’s core (primary) technology


• proficiency in supporting technology areas


• industry knowledge


• ability to prepare comprehensive technical specifications


• design skills


• product knowledge


• process knowledge


• management of intellectual property


• patent knowledge

Desired Personal Traits

Many studies have been performed to correlate personality
traits to success as a project manager. Although each study
reveals slightly different results, the traits shown in Figure 3-1
appear in most. Possessing these traits will stand you in good
stead in your role as project manager.

38 Project Management

Honesty and integrity

Thinks like a generalist

High tolerance for ambiguity

High tolerance for uncertainty

Persuasive

Assertive

Process-oriented

Self-aware/reflective

Open and accessible

Politically astute

Decisive

Figure 3-1. Deiriable traits for project managers