PMI Talent Triangle Updates Explained
As the working world evolves, project management professionals must evolve with it.
Working more efficiently and effectively with the new landscape of working environments
and business needs means that project managers must adapt their skillsets accordingly.
To make understanding how a successful project management professional needs to operate,
the PMI Talent Triangle was developed. It represents the ideal sets of skills project
professionals must develop and hone to be successful and work smarter in the ever-evolving
world of project management. Here is the updated Triangle:
Let’s explore what each of these updates means for future business performance.
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Ways of Working (formerly Technical Project Management)
For a while now, but definitely in the last few years, work gets done many, many
different ways. Right now, there is predictive, agile, design thinking and more
but what might yet develop in the years ahead? This phrase was chosen because as
the pace of change increases and problems become more and more complex, more
diverse and creative ways to work are essential to success. This focus encourages
professionals to master as many ways of working as they can—ensuring results
delivered in the right method at the right time.
-
Power Skills (formerly Leadership)
These skills include communication, collaborative leadership, an innovative mindset,
for-purpose orientation and empathy. These skills are the key to having influence
with stakeholders which is the goal for effective project development. Power skills
were formerly known as “Soft Skills” but this term diminishes the importance of
these necessary abilities to business success. There is much power associated with
utilizing the skills of servant leadership and empathy.
-
Business Acumen (formerly Strategic and Business Management)
Professionals with business acumen have function-specific or domain-specific
knowledge to make good decisions. They are able to make macro and micro influences
with their organization through effective decision making which allows them to
understand the big picture and how projects align. Most of the time, it is expected
that business acumen comes with experience. But in today’s quickly changing business
climate, the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions are crucial and
learning those skills essential.
So, what does the change to the new Triangle mean?
If you already have any PMI certification, do not worry. You do not have to do anything.
You will see the changes in your PDU recording in your account shortly. This will not
impact the number of PDUs and PDU requirements will remain the same.
If you are currently pursuing your certification, there is also no impact. Once you
pass your exam, the PDU requirements will remain the same. Only the category names
will change.
The new PMI Talent Triangle is aligned to the Education PDUs certification holders can
earn. It will not have an impact on the Giving Back PDUs. You can still earn PDUs for
activities that give back to the profession, including creating new project management
knowledge, volunteering and working as a professional in project management.
Sources:
https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain/pmi-talent-triangle-update
https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain/pmi-talent-triangle-update-faqs