Project Management Talent Assessments

The ultimate goal in performing project talent assessments is to develop and sustain superior project management performance. Assessments provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s (or a team’s) project management knowledge, behaviors, and performance levels. The focus of the assessment is on building strengths and identifying gaps in project management knowledge and skill. Results of the assessment allow organizational leaders to determine which individual project managers have the highest potential to grow and excel. Project managers can then be assigned to the types of projects they are best suited to lead effectively.

Project talent assessment results also help organizations target training only where deficiencies are recognized, thus eliminating unnecessary training programs and ensuring more productive results from their training investment.

Program Components

The Project Talent Assessment Program has two main components: a multi-level knowledge assessment and a personality and cognitive behavior assessment.

  • Knowledge: The PM Knowledge Assessment Profile (PMKAP) measures an individual’s project management knowledge based upon the ten areas identified in the industry-standard A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), from the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI)®. The individuals assessed can see how they scored in each knowledge area and how they compare to the rest of the population assessed. Organizations gain insight from the aggregate data to see where deficiencies exist and begin developing a targeted training program designed to meet those needs.
  • Behaviors: The PM Attribute Assessment, the second tool in the Project Talent Assessment Program, is a personality and cognitive assessment tool that measures the personality traits shown to contribute to the success of an individual in a project manager role. Behavior traits such as leadership, interpersonal relations, problem solving, decision making, personal organization, and time management are measured. Extensive attribute research and interviews have been conducted to ensure that the project manager behavior being measured are fully validated. Verbal feedback is provided to the individual(s). An aggregate report, detailing the levels of those that took the assessment including their strengths and areas for improvement, is distributed to management. These results help the organization understand who are the “natural” project managers and who may need additional development.

Actionable Results

Professional development programs that systematically assess talent help organizations target their training dollars to make the most difference in project management outcomes. Matching project talent with the types of projects it is prepared to handle will result in more effective project execution and, subsequently, better organizational performance.

More Information

To learn more about how PM College can help you assess and improve project manager talent within your organization, contact us today at 1-800-983-0388 (toll free).