The Skill Sets Required for Managing Complex Construction Projects

Very few projects comprise the unique character that construction projects have. The product from construction processes are rarely similar with each having unique set of characteristics and qualities that set them apart from other projects. Hence the management of the production processes demand creative and often times imaginative managers for the achievement of successful outcomes. Undoubtedly complex projects will need to be resourced with the right calibre of managers because they are a higher order management activity. But what is the skill sets required of this calibre of managers? The paper reports on the perspective views of some senior management personnel in construction organizations on what constitutes complexity in construction and what skill sets will be required to achieve successful outcomes on those projects. Their views were obtained through semi-structured interviews. The responses are analysed descriptively with thematic summaries. The paper concludes that there are specific skill sets that are set apart for success on complex projects, and that the skills evolve from knowledge gained from exposure to a wide range of projects