# Project Management Skills: 25 Soft, Hard & Technical Skills > Learn 25 project management skills: communication, leadership, planning, scoping, Gantt and Kanban. Plus, tips to build them at work with Asana. Source: https://asana.com/zh-tw/resources/project-management-skills ## Project management skills: 25 soft, hard, & technical skills #### Summary This comprehensive guide explores 25 essential project management skills across three categories: soft skills such as communication and leadership, hard skills such as project planning and scoping, and technical skills such as using Gantt charts and Kanban boards. Whether you're a formal project manager or simply leading initiatives within your team, you'll discover practical strategies for developing these capabilities and learn how modern project management tools can help you coordinate work more effectively. At Asana, we believe that if you manage projects, you're a project manager, even if that's not your job title. For teams to collaborate effectively and get their best work done, they need a project manager like you to lead the way. But even if you're already managing a project, or even [multiple projects](/resources/managing-multiple-projects), how do you get _better_ at being a project manager? If you're interested in honing and developing your project management skills, you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll cover 25 key skills you need to succeed as a project manager or [project administrator](/resources/project-administrator), and how you can develop those skills over time. ## What are project management skills (and why do they matter?) Project management skills are the abilities that help you plan, execute, and deliver projects successfully. They fall into three categories: soft skills such as communication and leadership, hard skills such as project planning and scoping, and technical skills such as using project management software. - **Soft skills:** Interpersonal abilities like collaboration, communication, and adaptability - **Hard skills:** Quantifiable abilities like project planning, scoping, and timeline management - **Technical skills:** Tool-specific knowledge, like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and workload management [Project management](/resources/benefits-project-management) is the practice of organizing and executing work efficiently, and helping your team do the same. Traditional project management tools were hard to set up and required constant maintenance, which is where the position "project manager" comes from. ### Modern project management tools Modern project management evolved from traditional project management in two distinct ways. As companies and teams democratized their project management processes, they needed more team members and team leads who could manage projects from conception to completion. In order to support those team leads, [project management software](/product) has also evolved, from complex mechanisms to flexible and easy-to-use tools. Today, any team member may be called upon to run a project and serve as the de facto project manager, which is why modern project management tools are designed to be flexible enough for anyone to use on any project. These tools, like Asana, make it easy to track, manage, and organize work without the steep learning curve of traditional tools. With today's [project management tools](/uses/project-management), you can easily implement project management best practices and bring a new level of clarity and visibility to your project team. ### How to use your project management skills Project management tools do the heavy lifting in reducing silos, increasing visibility, and facilitating cross-functional collaboration. As the project manager, you can use these tools to give your team the insights they need to do their best work. While you don't need to learn complicated skills or tools in order to [become a successful project manager](/resources/become-a-project-manager), there are hard, soft, and technical skills you can develop in order to improve your management and collaboration skills. Some of these skills might not apply to you, while others might be things you're already seasoned in. Like everything in the [five phases of project management](/resources/project-management-phases), approach this list with flexibility and work on the skills that are most relevant to you. ## 10 soft skills for project managers Soft skills, also called "people skills" or "interpersonal skills", help you work with and relate to others without requiring a specific tool or technical knowledge. These 10 soft skills are essential for project management: - **Collaboration** - **Teamwork** - **Communication** - **Time management** - **Leadership** - **Organization** - **Problem solving** - **Critical thinking** - **Adaptability** - **Conflict resolution** ### 1. Collaboration Collaboration is the cornerstone of all project management skills. In project management, collaboration helps you get work done quickly and more efficiently. When you can [coordinate across teams](/resources/cross-functional-collaboration), you gain valuable insights into your project that you might not find within your team. To improve your collaboration skills, practice having conversations. Use techniques like [active listening](/resources/active-listening), where you stay engaged and focused when others are speaking. Learning how to have open communication and reduce boundaries is critical for a collaborative team. ### 2. Teamwork Everyone on your team has something to bring to the table, and your team is more effective working together than they would be alone. Teamwork ensures that everyone feels welcome, valued, and supported to contribute. If you're working to boost your teamwork skills, dig deeper into team [brainstorms](/resources/brainstorming-techniques), 1:1 conversations, and ask for feedback from your team. Notice if there's someone who hasn't spoken up in a while, and be supportive when another team member has a new idea. - [延伸閱讀：10 個簡易步驟增進團隊協作](/resources/collaboration-in-the-workplace) ### 3. Communication Miscommunications are common when you're working with a group of people. Learning how to communicate well and avoid these will make projects run more smoothly and be more enjoyable. To develop your communication skills, practice being open and honest with your coworkers. This requires a lot of trust between you and your team members. To build this trust, encourage your team members to share their thoughts in discussions, even if you disagree. ### 4. Time management Time management and organization skills go hand in hand. As you become better at organizing your tasks, you'll also have a clearer sense of everything that's on your plate and how long your upcoming tasks are going to take. Still, it can be hard to buckle down and prioritize your work. To improve your [time management skills](/resources/stop-wasting-time-meetings) and reduce procrastination, try prioritizing tasks. When you're clear on which tasks are higher priority, you can tackle them first to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. ### 5. Leadership Even if you don't think of yourself as a leader or have a role in [team management](/resources/team-management-skills), when you're managing a project, your project team is looking to you for leadership, guidance, and support. To develop your leadership skills, practice approaching situations with [empathy](/resources/empathy-map-template) and understanding. Good leaders bring everyone together and make them feel supported, fostering teamwork and collaboration. ### 6. Organization For many project managers, organization feels like an innate trait; you either have it, or you don't. But like every other skill in this article, you can develop your organizational abilities with the right approach. The best way to become more organized is to create a central source of truth for your work and your team's work. The average employee switches between [10 tools per day](/resources/anatomy-of-work-summary), which creates disconnection. Instead, use a digital [organization tool](/uses/organization) to consolidate everything in one place. - [閱讀：如何變得井然有序：17 個實用提示](/resources/get-organized) ### 7. Problem solving Problem-solving skills are collaborative, [iterative skills](/resources/iterative-process) that help you approach a problem and, ultimately, solve it. Developing problem-solving skills isn't about always having the "right" answer; rather, people with great problem-solving skills practice approaching problems from new perspectives. To become a better problem solver, use [data-driven](/resources/data-driven-decision-making) [decision-making](/resources/decision-making-process) frameworks or routine analyses. For example, if you need to boost sales by 10% over your competition, you can run a [competitive analysis](/resources/competitive-analysis-example) to determine where you currently stand in the market. Then, use that information to develop a new [marketing strategy](/resources/digital-marketing-strategy) coordinated with the sales team. - [閱讀：藉助這些解決問題的策略，將您的團隊轉變為精明的問題解決者](/resources/problem-solving-strategies) ### 8. Critical thinking Critical thinking, like problem solving, doesn't have a single "solution." You can't "win" at critical thinking, but you can practice approaching problems logically instead of making decisions based on emotions. To practice [critical thinking](/resources/critical-thinking-skills), ask yourself these questions: - How did I come to this conclusion? - Could there be another answer? - Am I being swayed by something other than factual information? Emotional decisions aren't necessarily bad; some of the best decisions are ones we're passionate about. But critical thinking helps ensure you're approaching situations from the right perspective. ### 9. Adaptability At some point, whether it's this project or the next one, aspects of your [project plan](/resources/project-management-plan) will change. Maybe your deadline or priorities shift, and you need to adapt your workflow accordingly. Great project managers can pivot and adapt to new situations to keep their project team on the right track. Developing self-awareness and [emotional intelligence](/resources/emotional-intelligence-skills) helps you manage your emotions during times of change. - [閱讀：提高工作空間適應力的 6 個提示](/resources/workplace-adaptability-skills) ### 10. Conflict resolution Inevitably, conflict will arise during the projects you manage. It could be that a stakeholder wants to change the project scope, or maybe you missed your budget or deadline. [Conflict resolution](/resources/conflict-resolution-strategies) is about addressing both sides of the conflict so everyone feels heard and supported. Even when you can't find a perfect solution, approaching the conversation with patience and empathy can help defuse a potentially frustrating situation. - [Manage projects with one tool](/product/) ## 7 hard skills for project managers Unlike soft skills, hard skills are quantifiable abilities specific to project management. Developing these seven hard skills will help you become a more well-rounded and efficient project manager: - **Project planning** - **Project scoping** - **Writing a project brief** - **Hosting a project kickoff meeting** - **Project roadmapping** - **Mapping your project timeline** - **Task management** ### 1. Project planning At its core, a project plan (sometimes called a project charter) is a blueprint of the key elements your project needs to succeed. Typically, a project plan will include seven things: - Goals and [project objectives](/resources/how-project-objectives) - [Success metrics](/resources/success-metrics-examples) - [Stakeholders](/resources/project-stakeholder)and[roles](/resources/raci-chart) - [Scope](/resources/project-scope)and[budget](/resources/project-budget) - [Milestones](/resources/project-milestones), [deliverables](/resources/what-are-project-deliverables), and [project dependencies](/resources/project-dependencies) - [Timeline](/resources/create-project-management-timeline-template)and[schedule](/resources/project-timeline-schedules) - [Communication plan](/resources/communication-plan) Some of these things, such as your goals or milestones, might already be defined in your project roadmap or brief. But your project plan is where all of these project elements come together to create a cohesive picture of your upcoming work. 許多計劃都在年初制定，目的是為了設定願景以及預計在年末時達成的目標。完成這一步後，我們會在專案中對其進行總結，以便每個人都可以看得到。Asana 中的視覺化呈現方式讓我們能夠輕鬆調動一切事物。 ### 2. Project scoping [Project scope](/resources/project-scope) is the size, goals, and limitations (i.e., deadlines and resources) for your project. Your project scope will define what you can achieve within a certain timeframe and budget. Setting and defining your project scope is important in order to prevent [scope creep](/resources/what-is-scope-creep), which is when your project deliverables outgrow your original project scope. To improve your project scoping skills, practice setting project scope early and often. Once you've set your project scope, share it with stakeholders and surface it frequently so everyone is on the same page about the project's aims and limitations. 我們減少了超賣的商品數量，也降低了為了推進發貨日期而與客戶聯絡的頻率。 ### 3. Writing a project brief Your project brief outlines your general objectives and how you plan to achieve them. This can serve as a helpful North Star to guide planning sessions. The most important thing to remember about your project brief is that it's a living document. As you develop your project plan and get input from stakeholders, you can adapt and update your project brief. In general, your project brief should contain a link to your project roadmap, a list of your project stakeholders and their [responsibilities](/resources/roles-and-responsibilities) (sometimes called a [RACI](/resources/raci-chart) chart), and any other high-level information your team might need. 擁有對專案的執行監督和深入解析十分關鍵，因為這讓我們能夠隨時快速掌握當下發生的事情。 ### 4. Hosting a project kickoff meeting A [kickoff meeting](/resources/project-kickoff-meeting) is an opportunity to align with your project stakeholders. This is your chance to clarify your project goals and scope, and share any documents you've already put together, like your project roadmap, project brief, or a [creative brief](/resources/how-write-creative-brief-examples-template) for a design team. To host a successful kickoff meeting, plan to share the documentation you have put together with project stakeholders. Then, host a brainstorming or Q&A session to align on any additional variables, like budget,[resources](/resources/resource-management-plan), or final deliverables. ### 5. Project roadmapping A [project roadmap](/resources/project-roadmap) is a high-level overview of your project's key deliverables and timeline. Project roadmaps are helpful for complex initiatives with many stakeholders because they help the entire project team get on the same page before the project even starts. Traditionally, project roadmaps are created in [Gantt chart-like software](/uses/timeline), in order to display a general schedule of your project as a horizontal bar chart. To create a project roadmap, use a tool like in [Asana](/product) to create a rough timeline of your project, adding key [milestones](/resources/project-milestones) or important dependencies. ### 6. Mapping your project timeline Your [project timeline](/resources/create-project-management-timeline-template) is the order and duration of events during your project lifecycle. Knowing your project timeline helps your team track project success and deliver the right assets on time. To build a great project timeline, clarify the start and end dates of your project, along with any key milestones. As you continue to build out individual tasks and deliverables, set dependencies among tasks and clarify the start and end dates for each piece of work. ### 7. Task management Once your project is officially underway, task management refers to how well you manage your time and your team's time. The best project managers have real-time visibility into what their teams are working on, so they can help them effectively prioritize and execute work. But you don't have to magically know everything that's happening in your project; instead, use task management software. [Task management software](/uses/task-management) is more than a to-do list; it's a way to get a holistic view of all of the work happening in your project. 使用 Asana，我們可以在同一處查看專案的進展和阻礙因素，以及回饋和行動項目。現在我們能以更快速、更有效的方式完成工作，在家工作時這點變得更加重要。若是沒有它，我們肯定會迷失！ ## 8 technical skills all project managers need Technical skills refer to your knowledge of specific tools and software within project management. Modern project management tools are built to be flexible and easy to use, so these skills aren't hard to learn. Here are the eight technical skills every project manager should know: - **Project management software skills** - **Gantt charts** - **Kanban boards** - **Agile management** - **Workload management** - **Cost management** - **Project portfolio management** - **Change management** ### 1. Project management software skills [Project management software](/uses/project-management)has come a long way from legacy tools that were difficult to use and required a project management professional to implement. But like any tool, even easy-to-use ones, the software you choose takes time to learn and truly master. Make sure the tool you select has a written [guide](https://help.asana.com/s/?language=en_US) and [helpful videos](https://academy.asana.com/) to teach you the ins and outs of how to use it. ### 2. Gantt charts [Gantt charts](/resources/gantt-chart-basics) are a way to visualize your project as a horizontal bar chart, where each bar represents a piece of work and its length represents the time it will take. Gantt charts help you track: - [Project milestones](/resources/project-milestones) - Dependencies - Real-time project progress - Start and end dates Traditional Gantt chart technology can be tricky to use and limited in scope, which is why, at Asana, we took the best of Gantt chart technology and created [Timeline](/features/project-management/project-views), a Gantt-chart-like tool that helps you see how all of the pieces fit together. 發行一張專輯有很多變動因素，Asana 幫助我們追蹤每個細節、責任歸屬，以及工作的完成時限。 ### 3. Kanban boards Another popular type of visual project management is the[Kanban board](/resources/what-is-kanban). Each column in a Kanban board represents a stage of work, like **New**, **In progress**, or **Done**. Individual work is represented by cards, which move through the columns until they're completed. [Kanban boards tools](/uses/kanban-boards) are a popular visual project management tool for [lean project management](/resources/lean-project-management) teams, particularly product, engineering, and software development teams. They're an [Agile methodology](/resources/agile-methodology) designed to be adaptable and flexible, adjusting to development needs in real time. - [閱讀：工作流程看板初學者指南](/resources/what-is-kanban) ### 4. Agile management Agile management is a lean project management methodology that's particularly popular with product, engineering, and software development teams. Agile operates on a system of [continuous improvement](/resources/continuous-improvement) and incremental evolution, and it encompasses several lean methodologies, like [lean portfolio management](/resources/lean-portfolio-management), [Scrum](/resources/what-is-scrum), and Kanban. To manage an Agile team, the project manager's job is to coordinate among team members and stay flexible. This can mean changing the project schedule, aligning with teams working on a different project, or staying in touch with effective communication. ### 5. Workload management If you've managed projects before, you know how hard it is to gain clarity on who is working on what, but it doesn't have to be. [Workload management](/resources/effectively-manage-team-workload) helps you measure your team's bandwidth and make sure they aren't over- or under-worked. There are two steps to using [workload management software](/features/resource-management/workload). First, determine your team's capacity, competencies, and current workload. From there, allocate resources based on individual workload or rebalance workloads as needed. ### 6. Cost management In project management, [cost management](/resources/cost-management-steps) is considering how each task impacts your budget at every stage of the project. Cost management is a key part of project leadership and an important factor in whether your project succeeds. To manage costs effectively, follow this approach: - **Before the project:** Define your costs and budget, and ensure all stakeholders understand the financial constraints - **During the project:** Check in on your spending regularly to make sure you aren't overshooting your budget - **After the project:** Compare predicted cost vs. actual cost to evaluate your cost management strategies and [benchmark](/resources/benchmarking) for future projects - [Read: Cost control: How to monitor project spending to increase profitability](/resources/cost-control) ### 7. Project portfolio management With [project portfolio management](/resources/what-is-project-portfolio-management) (PMM), you can get a bird's-eye view of your team's work across multiple projects. Unlike traditional project management, PMM involves working on multiple projects or large-scale initiatives simultaneously. [Project portfolio management tools](/features/goals-reporting/portfolios) help you get a holistic view of all of your team's work in real-time, so you can connect strategy to execution. 專案集也是我們團隊所使用的一項關鍵 Asana 功能。它對我們的執行團隊而言是個很棒的工具，讓他們可以在同一處查看所有重要工作的狀態、進度和所有者。我們的執行長每天都會造訪專案集並新增評論。他很喜歡快速查看所有事情的狀態這個功能。 ### 8. Change management If you've ever rolled out a big organizational change, you've likely practiced change management, even if you didn't know it. Change management is the process of introducing organizational change, such as new processes or tools, over a set period to make it easier to adapt. At Asana, we use the Asana Way of Change, a six-step process developed by our Customer Success team that incorporates proven change management strategies. To learn more, [read our guide to change management](/resources/change-management-process). 過去有一段時間，我們創意團隊的標準做法就只是回應工作需求。 但我們若沒有清楚的流程，絕無法在工作上做最好的發揮。 ## How to build your project management skills Twenty-five skills might feel like a lot, but you don'tt need to master every one. Some, like Agile, are only relevant for specific teams. Others, like organization, become effortless with the right tools. Here's how to develop your project management skills over time: - **Practice on real projects:** Challenge yourself to focus on one or two new skills per project, whether that's trying [visual project management](/resources/visual-project-management-kanban-timeline-calendar) like Kanban or drafting your first project plan - **Take formal courses:** The [Project Management Institute](https://www.pmi.org/) (PMI) offers courses, learning events, and its _Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)_ - **Learn your tools:** Once you've [selected a project management tool](/resources/project-management-software-buyers-guide), take advantage of its training resources, like [Asana Academy](https://academy.asana.com/) and the [How to Asana](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJFG93oi0wJDMccrrEbbZha0v64Jo63K8) series ## Build your project management toolkit If you manage a project, you're a project manager, and you likely already have some key project management skills. The most important thing is to be intentional, listen to your team, and collaborate with your team members. Project management doesn't need to be complex. Asana was designed specifically to keep project managers organized, with tools, automations, and customizations built to collaborate and coordinate everything from a simple brainstorming session to a full-fledged product launch. Ready to put your skills into practice? [Get started](/create-account) with Asana today. - [藉助 Asana 管理專案](/uses/project-management) ## Frequently asked questions about project management skills #### What are the 7 basic management skills? The seven foundational management skills are planning, leadership, communication, time management, risk management, critical thinking, and adaptability. #### What are the 5 key roles of a project manager? A project manager serves as a planner, leader, communicator, problem-solver, and coordinator, defining scope, guiding the team, and ensuring all parts of the project work together. #### Do I need certifications to develop project management skills? Certifications like the PMP are valuable for formalizing your knowledge but aren't required to develop or use project management skills. Practical experience, on-the-job learning, and using work management tools are often the most effective ways to build your capabilities. #### How long does it take to develop project management skills? You can learn the basics in a few months, but true mastery is an ongoing process that develops through continuous practice and real project experience. - [專案管理](/resources/project-management) - [工作細目結構 (WBS)：WBS 是什麼，要如何使用？](/zh-tw/resources/work-breakdown-structure) 專案管理 #### 內容撰稿人 工作分解結構 (Work Breakdown Structure，簡稱 WBS) 是專案管理中最實用的可視化工具之一。當專案範疇複雜、交付項目眾多時，工作細目結構能將整個專案從最高層級逐步分解為可執行的具體任務，確保每項工作都有明確的負責人和完成日期。由於工作細目結構以可視化方式展示，因此可組合使用工作流程管理軟體與專案管理架構來建立。建立方法包括時間軸、 ... - [制定應變計劃以預防業務風險的 8 個步驟](/zh-tw/resources/contingency-plan) 商業策略 專案規劃 #### 作者 沒有人希望 A 計劃失效，但準備一份強大的 B 計劃是應對任何情況發生的最佳方式。有了可靠的後援計劃，您就可以有效應對非預期事件，並且盡快讓事情重回正軌。應變計劃是一種主動策略，能夠協助您處理事態惡化並確保業務持續進行。在本文中，深入瞭解如何針對非預期事件制定應變計劃，並且制定恢復策略，以確保您的業務維持健康狀態。什麼是業務應變計劃？業務應變計劃是一種策略 ... - [建立成功變更管理流程的 6 個步驟](/zh-tw/resources/change-management-process) 商業策略 靈感與影響力百寶箱 #### 作者 改變是幫助組織成功的必要元素。隨著企業成長，您不可避免地會需要實施新工具、嘗試新策略，或打入新市場，還有更多改變不勝枚舉。小規模的變更或不會衝擊很多人的變更，很容易實施，但若您需要實施徹底性的組織變革，又該怎麼做呢？若無妥善的規劃，而試圖實施組織變革可能導致混亂、困惑並降低公司的成長速度。您反倒是需要小心推出變革 (在正式變革之前就有制定好的計劃和支援)， ... - [15 個秘訣助您建立真正有用的待辦清單](/zh-tw/resources/make-better-to-do-lists) 專案管理 #### 作者 Everyone loves checking things off a to-do list, but when done wrong, lists can cause more harm than good. 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