PMI Talent Triangle

The term “PMI Talent Triangle” was coined by the Project Management Institute (PMI, USA). On December 1, 2015, the PMI updated the CCR program by including a Talent Triangle concept. In 2021, the PMI updated the framework to reflect the profession’s evolving needs. 

They changed how PDUs were assigned for each category and ensured you earn 8 PDUs for each arm of the triangle. 

In this blog post, I will explain the Talent Triangle and tell you how you can earn your 60 PDUs for free while satisfying it.

The PMI Talent Triangle

The CCR program was introduced to keep PMPs updated with current advancements in project management. It motivates PMPs to learn new skills and keep up.

This requirement was introduced because of industry demands and employers’ need for specific skills. The PMI consulted with industry experts regarding skills that are helpful for project managers and how to make them more efficient.

[The “PMI Talent Triangle” framework for project professionals defines the skills necessary to succeed in project management.]

The PMI Talent Triangle has three arms:

  1. Power Skills
  2. Business Acumen
  3. Ways of Working

(Source: PMI)

Traditionally, project managers focus on the technical aspect of the project and ignore the other aspects. Through the talent triangle, PMI ensures that project managers have all the skills to manage and complete the project successfully.

Now, we will discuss each arm of the triangle in detail.

1. Business Acumen

This side of the triangle represents understanding the business environment and the ability to make decisions that align with organizational goals. It includes financial analysis, risk management, stakeholder management, organizational strategy, legal compliance, competitive analysis, etc.

With business acumen, project managers deeply understand business management knowledge and make strategic decisions for the betterment of the project.

2. Power Skills

This side of the triangle represents the interpersonal and leadership skills needed to communicate, collaborate, and work effectively with stakeholders. It includes communication, collaboration, negotiation, critical thinking, strategic leadership, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, etc.

The project managers spend most of their time communicating. Therefore, they require the best possible communication skills. The project is about satisfying stakeholders’ needs. Therefore, they also need power skills to influence stakeholders.

3. Ways of Working

This side of the triangle represents the technical knowledge and skills needed to manage projects effectively. It includes Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid methodologies, Design Thinking, and Transformation.

The project managers need to know all project-management methodologies and frameworks in the dynamic environment they may be required to use different frameworks based on the project requirements. 

Also, knowing other frameworks improves the project management skills of the project managers, and they will be more employable. 

Project management methodologies include Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid methodologies.

How to Earn 60 PDUs That Comply with the Talent Triangle

There is an easy way to earn PDUs and complete your CCR cycles. Please log in to projectmanagement.com using your PMI account ID. Go to the recorded webinar sections and start watching. 

These webinars comply with the PMI Talent Triangle, and the PDUs will be automatically reported to the PMI.

Read: How to Get 60 PDUs for Free

Previous Arms of the Talent Triangle

new and old PMI Talent Triangle

Before 2021, the three arms of the triangle were as follows:

  1. Technical Project Management
  2. Leadership
  3. Strategic and Business Management

Technical Project Management

Every project requires technical skills. A few common technical skills are earned value management, drawing a network diagram, procurement, and cost management.

Other technical skills are project specific. For example, if you are constructing a pipeline, you should know the pipeline-designing system, materials, and system testing. Technical welding knowledge is also useful.

If you don’t have technical skills, you will face difficulties understanding problems and finding a solution. You may lose the respect of your team members if you fumble. Technical expertise is necessary to complete a project.

Leadership

Leadership skills are useful for managing the team. These skills help you motivate members and give them a vision. Leadership is about winning as a team. A leader is always proactive and is a problem solver.

You should have motivating qualities. Connect with team members and keep them motivated until the project is finished.

Management skills are necessary to get the job done. You must decide who to entrust a particular responsibility to and when to push them. Sometimes, you can make decisions autocratically. However, you must ensure that each team member possesses the required skills to complete their assigned tasks. You must train or coach them if they struggle.

Strategic and Business Management

Strategic and business management helps you analyze decisions. It includes cost-benefit analysis, SWOT analysis, market conditions, legal requirements, and compliance.

Strategic and business management gives an organization fresh energy for its betterment and helps achieve long-term goals. All stakeholders must support the strategic business plan for success.

Summary

A project manager must be versatile; expertise in one skill is not enough. PMI’s Talent Triangle ensures that you have multiple relevant skills for the current conditions. Ways of working help you perform specific functions or tasks; power skills help you guide the team, and business acumen helps you deliver better business outcomes.

Fahad Usmani, PMP

I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.