Level: Basic
Author(s): Rohit Singh. P.Eng. CCP
Venue: 2017 AACE International Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL
Abstract: This article is a continuance from the author’s 2005 AACE Transaction (“The missing soft skills for Project Controls”) in which he discussed skills in writing, speaking and goal setting (Basic and Experiential Learning. This paper, which is an extension, is viewed through the landscape of an EPCM project, in which the author’s role was that of a change agent1. This paper also, incorporated ideas from Carson and Kelly (AACE Cost Engineering, 2015) paper entitled “Soft skills are vital for effective project controls” the Carson and Kelly’s article broke soft skills down into three areas; communication, motivation and negotiation. Delivering and presenting accurate information through formal teaching and at meetings resulted in better decisions.
The author’s findings from this assignment demonstrated that the top three soft skills that ensured success of the project scope were communication, motivation and negotiation. The organization had experienced very little change in its limited approach and its application to project management practices. The scope of the project required the implementation of an enhanced project management department and the integration of cost and schedule with accounting procedures. The top three soft skills that were pivotal for success of this endeavor following on the heels of two unsuccessful projects were communications, motivation and negotiation. Communicating effectively was critical so as to ensure that the expected outcome from all departments was aligned and met the requirements of all stakeholders. How inter and intra-departmental negotiating engagement worked resulting in practicable win-win outcomes.
Author(s): Rohit Singh. P.Eng. CCP
Venue: 2017 AACE International Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL
Abstract: This article is a continuance from the author’s 2005 AACE Transaction (“The missing soft skills for Project Controls”) in which he discussed skills in writing, speaking and goal setting (Basic and Experiential Learning. This paper, which is an extension, is viewed through the landscape of an EPCM project, in which the author’s role was that of a change agent1. This paper also, incorporated ideas from Carson and Kelly (AACE Cost Engineering, 2015) paper entitled “Soft skills are vital for effective project controls” the Carson and Kelly’s article broke soft skills down into three areas; communication, motivation and negotiation. Delivering and presenting accurate information through formal teaching and at meetings resulted in better decisions.
The author’s findings from this assignment demonstrated that the top three soft skills that ensured success of the project scope were communication, motivation and negotiation. The organization had experienced very little change in its limited approach and its application to project management practices. The scope of the project required the implementation of an enhanced project management department and the integration of cost and schedule with accounting procedures. The top three soft skills that were pivotal for success of this endeavor following on the heels of two unsuccessful projects were communications, motivation and negotiation. Communicating effectively was critical so as to ensure that the expected outcome from all departments was aligned and met the requirements of all stakeholders. How inter and intra-departmental negotiating engagement worked resulting in practicable win-win outcomes.