Abstract
Project management soft skills are essential because human interaction in the project
management field is crucial for completing a project successfully. Within the engineering
consulting field, most engineers are at some point expected to perform project management
duties and execute projects from start to finish. Research has shown that more emphasis needs
to be placed on human competencies/soft skills education in undergraduate engineering
programmes.
A literature review was conducted to establish the themes published in recent years. The review
showed that a person’s human competencies are vital and assist in achieving project success.
The study used surveys to gather data, and the sample population included recent engineering
graduates and senior engineering managers. The research design framework incorporated mixed
method research and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
The results of the study indicate that both sample groups, graduates and managers, strongly
agree that higher education institutions need to emphasise the education of soft/interpersonal
skills in undergraduate engineering programmes. This view relates to the literature and highlights
that the need for more emphasis on soft skills remains a prevailing theme and concern.
The most prevalent suggestion of both groups on how to incorporate the teaching of soft skills
more effectively is that more practical projects or case studies which simulate those in the industry
should be introduced to the programmes studied at higher education institutions.
The most critical human competencies that a project manager should possess for project success,
as identified in the literature and evident in this research, are communication skills, leadership
skills, team-building skills, conflict management skills, problem-solving skills, motivating skills,
decision-making skills, negotiation skills, emotional intelligence and influencing skills.