CHPT construct: essential skills for construction project managers

Construction project managers have important roles and responsibility. This research examines 16 previous studies on project manager skills to propose a set of skills that is applicable in the construction industry. It is argued that four skills, namely conceptual, human, political, and technical skill (CHPT construct) are essential for construction project managers to perform their job. This research discusses components that form each skill construct and why they are essential for construction project managers. The key contribution of this research is the inclusion of political skill as one of essential skills for construction project managers. Furthermore, this research should help construction project managers to be aware of essential skills that they need to possess to improve their performance. Finally, a theoretical framework is developed to demonstrate the complexity of project manager's tasks and the CHPT construct. The framework provides a sound foundation for future studies that focus on project manager skills.

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