Core Competencies for Construction Project Management: Perception of the Global Academia

Construction is a critical player in the world's economy. It employs about seven percent of the worldwide workforce and accounts for roughly thirteen percent of the global gross domestic product. Construction work is a typical entry point into the labor market worldwide, and it is often the only viable option for individuals who lack specific skills. The construction industry is a pivotal contributor to the U.S. economy and significantly impacts the lives of a considerable segment of the population. Construction contributed $884 billion to the nation's gross domestic product in 2019, employing more than 7.5 million people in the United States. Despite its prominent role in the global and national economy, the construction industry still deals with problems such as declining productivity, workplace safety, work disputes, etc. The human element, particularly construction project managers, is critical to resolving many of these long-standing problems. Identifying training gaps and linking qualified construction project managers with the relevant projects requires a deep awareness of the competencies necessary for construction project managers. This study identifies competencies required for construction project managers and reveals essential knowledge areas and personality characteristics required for each skill. A survey including 672 ranking questions is developed to explore the global construction academics’ perception of the importance of each recognized knowledge area/personality characteristic to each identified skill. This study uses a framework for dividing the extensive survey into shorter sections, including twenty-one ranking questions. Next, the data, collected from 2,016 professors, post-docs, and students worldwide, is analyzed to identify the importance of each knowledge area/personality characteristic to each skill. The findings of this study can assist the construction academia and industry in directing their efforts toward key competency development areas and catering training and professional development to the real needs of the worldwide workforce.