The Evolving of PMI Talent Triangle

The evolution of the PMI Talent Triangle is fascinating to all current PMI certification holders. Since its introduction in 2015, the Talent Triangle has continuously evolved to reflect shifts in the project management environment.

According to PMI, as the world is constantly changing, project professionals must be more agile and creative to maintain pace and develop impact. PMI has always been dedicated to enabling professionals to create a robust set of skills; however, they now require a skillset comprehensive of different approaches, disciplines, and other in-demand skills.

To help these professionals navigate this changing working environment and accept more ingenious working methods, PMI updated the Talent Triangle - focusing on: 

• Ways of Working (Replaced Technical Project Management)
• Power Skills (Replaced Leadership)
• Business Acumen (Replaced Strategic and Business Management)

Updates to the PMI Talent Triangle

Project professionals are expected to excel in all methodologies to project governance. For example, a waterfall or predictive project needs an in-depth understanding of knowledge fields outlined in the PMBOK Guide Ed 6 and lets professionals manage scope, schedule, and expense closely.

An Agile project needs these professionals to change to the principles and values presented in the Agile Manifesto. Then, following these changes, managers must adopt a servant leadership method.

The updated domains in the PMI Talent Triangle are explained as follows:

Source: PMI.ORG – The Evolving of PMI Talent Triangle

1. Ways of Working

This is a new domain field that focuses on the technical skills needed to deliver projects in today's world. Whether it's current practices, predictive, design thinking, or agile yet to be developed, it's clear that there is more than one way to get work done.

Thus, project professionals must analyze the unique requirements of a project to identify which tools will be practical to drive organizational outcomes. Moreover, they should seek to expand their knowledge of project approaches and tools.

2. Power Skills

This new domain has replaced the Leadership section on the PMI Talent Triangle. Instead, the Power Skills section is about personal leadership, including communication, interpersonal skills, servant leadership concepts, problem-solving tools & practices, conflict management, and mentoring.

The potential to develop a compelling vision and encourage a group of proficient at delivering on that objective is a tactical competency for luminaries at all company levels.

3. Business Acumen

This domain replaces the Strategic and Business Management section, which PMI had previously highlighted as the needed skill. As a result, the project managers with Business Acumen understand the micro and macro impacts on their industry and work field and have the domain-specific expertise to make good decisions.

These managers at any level require the potential to develop effective decision-making and understand how their projects align with the broad vision of global trends and company strategy.

Does the New PMI Talent Triangle Impact the Give Back to Profession PDUs?

The new PMI Talent Triangle is aligned with the Education PDUs accreditation holders can achieve. However, it won't have any effect on the Giving Back PDUs. The professionals can still earn these PDUs, including creating new project management knowledge, working as professionals, and volunteering in the project management field. Volunteering activities can reflect your practitioner knowledge and skill use.

As today's projects demand a more comprehensive set of potentials and skills, PMI will continue to focus on offering the professionals the tools and expertise they need to develop new skills and handle future project challenges.