The Significance Of Soft Skills In Project Management Success- A Research Study

Objectives and Research Questions

Badets, Grasser and Peltier (2017) stated that a recent report had been prepared for McDonald’s UK provides a foundation to comprehend the significance of soft skills to the UK economy that proves the significnace of soft management skills in order to get success in the project. In respect of client, the right person requires help to ensure better project results regarding higher software quality (Barna and Deák 2014). However, lower risk of project failure as well as more peace of mind. Hence, better project management minimizes the risk of in project failure along with translation for getting outcome regarding favourable project results such as lower costs along with the higher satisfaction of clients.

The aim of the research is identification of soft skill required in achieving the success of the project. Also, the research focuses the measurement of implementing soft skills in project management success.

The research has following objectives.

• To establish the relation between soft skills and project success
• To find out the impact of effective soft skills in improving success rate of the project
• To analyze the challenges for applying soft skills in project management
• To recommend measures for overcoming the issues

The research questions can be listed as followed.

• What is the relation between soft skills and project success?
• How soft skills have an impact on success of the project?
• What are the challenges of applying soft skills in project management?
• How can the challenges be overcome?

Balancing the components and persons involved in the project is difficult for a project manager in order to get success in the project (De Carvalho et al. 2015). On the other hand, time, opportunity and people are required to well managed that is considered very difficult for the managers. In this perspective, project management training is one of the necessary steps to manage unexpected obstacles for the project managers. In addition, balancing soft skills and hard skills is also a challenge for the project manager. Hence, it is required to adopt effective conflict resolution process so that the project management can achieve success.

The ability for effectively managing projects as well as programs have become increasingly significant (Carvalho and Rabechini Junior 2015). Hence, it becomes an important research issue to analyse the significance of project management soft skills to get success in the project.

On the other hand, project management community as well as the broader business community is increasingly aware of the significance of soft skills. Being mindful of the importance of soft skills and investment in the development of the improved capabilities are not the same (Gast and Ledford 2014). However, most of the organizations need to invest in the development of enhanced soft skills capabilities. Hence, it is important to analyze the role of sogt skills in order to get success in the project?

The requirement of soft skills is considered as the key aspect to succeed in the project. As there is a dynamic force going on in a team, it is important to evaluate the ideas as well as decisions made in effort to reach the goals set before. On the other hand, poor communication can undermine the success of the project. Therefore, it is required to evaluate importance of project management soft skills to get success in a project.

Importance of Soft Skills in Project Management Success

H0: Project management soft skill is important for success of a project

With the development of competitive marketplace and corporate business model, it becomes essential to adopt soft skills like useful communication skill, leadership skill and decision-making skill along with hard skills so that success of the project can be achieved. Hence, it has been taken as the null hypothesis for the research.

H1: Project management soft skill has no role for the success of a project

There are several skills required for a project. One of the main skills is hard skill such as knowledge and abilities as well as computer programming by which a project may be completed. Hence, it has been taken as the alternative hypothesis of the research.

The introductory part of the study deals with aims, objective as well as research questions, hypothesis along with research rationales. Second chapters deal with reviewing literature from secondary sources. Research methodology includes the selection of proper tools in order to research proper way.  Data collection and analysis includes analysis of primary data by conducting the online survey.

The overview of project management soft skills and its advantages are described in the current study. The challenges faced during implementation of soft skills in the project are discussed in this chapter.

At present days, it becomes important for a project manager to include soft skills to get success in the project. The soft skills include communication skill, leadership skill, motivation factors, conflict management and trust building (Gustavsson and Hallin 2014). However, in a data-driven world, the skills are not emphasized in some cases. “Talent Triangle” developed by PMI indicates that essentiality of soft skills along with hard skill in a project. The following points represent some vital soft skills; a project managed needs to possess.   

Leadership: Being a leader it is rally vital to comprehend the process of working with a team as well as characteristics of a team. In an organization, teams are continuously changing dynamic force where objectives are usually discussed. The ideas are identified as well as decisions made in order to reach the set objectives and goals. Hence, before working on a specific project, tasks as well as goals are defined and comprehended by every people on the team.

Leadership is one of the necessary characteristics of a project manager. It has been defined in PMBOK that leadership as the ability for getting the things achieved by others. It is conveyed that vision of the project as well as value, which is helpful for team members in creating successful completion of the project.  Sharing information and involving people in the process of decision making and keeping the team in order to understand the process as well as downward the channels of communication. In addition, it assists in resolving conflicts in the organization. In the practicing of active listening, it is important to overcome the urge for waiting to speak and focused on the understanding in the situation. It is important to channelize the energies to focus on managing the process. In addition, it helps to develop the service related to the matter. On the other hand, it is important to manage the process during waiting to speak  and rely back on the information.

Challenges while implementing Soft Skills in Project Management

Motivation: Gledson and Dawson (2017) mentioned that motivating people is considered as a core function of leadership and become a necessary skill for project managers. The members involved in a project have motivational forces inside them. As a manager, it is vital to comprehend that influencing behaviour positively. It is significant for the leaders keeping in mind that listening to as well as advising team members are likely to go further compared to the issues declaring and having an expectation to work.  

Communication: Effective communication can be helpful to clearly and openly an essential thing. However, it is vital remembering that the exchanges occur in every way. There is an open and honest communication from the top-level leadership assists in getting results (Gast and Ledford 2014). Transparent project managers have employees feeling more comfortable regarding opening up to manage related to their concern, issues as well as constructive challenges.

Conflict management: Deploying the conflict management strategy can be helpful to make effective leadership more easily at difficult time of the team. Disagreements can stem from competition in order to get the scarce resource, downtime of the system, communication gaps as well as personal policies. Gustavsson and Hallin (2014) stated that managing these situations can be helpful for the manager to focus achievement of overall objectives of the project. On the other hand, it is important to develop team that can be helpful to create team for solving tasks.

Decision-making: Decisions are categorized as routine, strategic as well as operational or emergency. Depending on the particular type of decisions, it is important for team members involving in the decision-making process. The project managers have multiple sets of criteria, which come into play during taking a decision as well as the process of analyzing individual options.

Organization:  A major reason of the organization needs the project managers finding someone able to organize a large number of moving parts. A good candidate is able to track multitude of tasks, action items, issues, milestones as well as decisions. Time management is considered as important area where a number of principles need to be considered (Lewis 2015). The projects have tendency expanding to fill the time allocated.

Project managers need multiple skills to be able effectively doing their jobs and obtain ultimate advantages both associated organizations as well as project stakeholders (Matteson et al. 2016). Boosting the skill has also a great impact on career advancement. In addition, communication as an effective soft skill is helpful for using as reporting tools, chat and file sharing.

Leadership, Motivation, Communication, Conflict Management, and Decision Making as Essential Soft Skills

On the other hand, scheduling capacity is helpful to project manager to create project schedules effectively so that tasks can be done in proper time. Risk management can be helpful to control the project. It is an effective way to assure project sponsors. Moreover, negotiation could lead to formulate ideal situations that prove to be amicable. The ability of contract management is useful to maintain relationship with supplier. Along with these, cost management, critical thinking and task management would be helpful to achieve success in t the project.

Schwalbe (2015) stated that soft skill is one of the main skills in project management that includes leadership, expectations management, negotiation and decision-making. Inadequately trained or inexperienced project managers appear to be top as the basic reason for failure in projects. In order to meet daily challenges as well as successful project delivery, project managers require assimilating skills set. Technological skill and project management methodologies are important to be considered in project management programs.

On contrary, soft skills are considered as largely intangible and difficult to measure. Starting of project management as profession, planning as well as execution is regarded as the major pillar. On the other hand, as information technology outsourcing is one of the growing industries, there are more and more organizations are seen to outsource their assets to the external vendors (Stevens and Norman 2016). It outsourcing activities are generally developed as distinctive projects that involves developing software application and maintaining existing application of software. The perspectives of vendors and clients are required to assign right person in order to lead project as very vital. On the other hand, recent researchers have found that new trends affect overall project. As a leader, it is important to comprehend the process of team-working and the characteristics of an effective team.

In order to imply project management soft skills, several challenges are faced. It has been seen that there is lack of inadequate skills for the project. Takey and de Carvalho (2015) commented that lack of accountability is one of the major barriers faced while implying project management soft skills in the projects (Wikle and Fagin 2015). On the other hand, ambiguous contingency plans are vital for project managers to understand the direction for taking pre-defined scenarios. Lack of training for developing communication and risk management procedure are the challenges faced while implying project management soft skills in the projects (Taylor et al. 2015). Moreover, there are several areas where project managers face difficulty in applying soft skills like improper risk management, ambiguous contingency plans and lack of stakeholder involvement

Role of Soft Skills in Project Management Success

In the conceptual framework, two types of variables are considered. Dependent variable is project success, whereas independent variables are communication and stakeholder management. The positive impact of the factors generates project success, whereas absence of the skills may lead to failure of project.

The chapter discusses overview of project management soft skills. In addition, the types of soft skills are discussed in this chapter of the research. On the other hand, linking between project management soft skills and success of the project is discussed in this chapter. Discussion of the challenges would be helpful to provide recommendations of the challenges.

The chapter includes different methodological tools such as research design, research approach and research philosophy are selected. On the other hand, data collection and analysis for the research are described in this chapter of the study. Selection of research methodological tools and their justification is described in the section. Sample and sampling applicable for the particular research is also explained in this section of the research.

Methodological tools	Selected tools
Research philosophy	Positivism philosophy
Research approach	Deductive approach
Research design	Descriptive design
Sample and sampling	Simple random sampling, 45 project mangers
Data analysis method	Quantitative analysis method

Research outline gives a design of the philosophical apparatuses. Positivism philosophy is chosen in the research. Deductive approach is taken after as positivism philosophy is chosen in the research. Descriptive research design is selected. A review is composed to gather information for breaking down the part of biometric innovation for expanding security. Then again, interviews are directed with managers of the organizations for finding solution of the inquiries identified with the issue. The researcher has chosen significant books, diaries and site for getting optional information for the research. Every perspective is introduced in the present section quickly.

Post positivism philosophy of the research helps to cross check particular information of the research (Taylor et al. 2015). The philosophy deals previous theory of the research and learning of the discoveries of the information broke down in the research. Post-positivism philosophy helps with keeping up clearness of the research. Then again, realism philosophy deals the reality of target of the research.

Along with these, inquire about philosophy is considered as a concise with respect to the strategy in which information in regards to marvel should be accumulated, examined and in addition utilized (Wesley et al. 2017). The primary reason for inquire about philosophy is considered as the method of changing the viewpoints. Positivists have conviction that the truth is steady, watched, and clarified from a target perspective without making meddling with particular marvels considered in the research. It draws in control of reality with various sorts of single free dynamically that identifies regularities. Likewise, it creates connection between some constituent segments of social world.

Project Management Skills: Communication, Leadership, Decision-making, Organization, Risk management, Negotiation, Cost management, critical thinking, and Task management

The research depends on hypothetical and in addition functional viewpoint of reality. The chosen philosophy encourages the researcher to manage propelled thinking with respect to the research. It additionally helps to finish the research with the assistance of genuine and cross-checked.

The research approach is partitioned into two kinds like inductive and in addition deductive approach. Deductive approach has mean to dissect the past hypotheses and models identified with the research (Vaioleti 2016). Notwithstanding, inductive approach has points in delivering new speculations as per the information gathered for the research. Deductive approach of the research encourages the researcher to lead the research in legitimate way. The pertinence of speculation of the research is considered as the major particular point between inductive and in addition deductive approach of the research. Then again, inductive approach in a research can add to give rise viewing new speculations and speculations. In this point of view, inductive research begins with giving amazing realities and in addition, the research technique is dedicated in portrayal.

Discussion about research approaches is considered as critical piece of the research. The system area of the research manages deductive approach, inductive and additionally abductive methodologies. In a research, if an arrangement of speculation creates, it requires to affirm or dismiss at the season of research process. Determination of deductive approach in an research prompts talk about with the speculations, philosophy, perception and affirmation or dismissal. Then again, inductive approach manages inclusion of detailing speculation (Dumay and Cai 2015). It for the most part begins with the inquiries of research and has points and targets that require to be accomplished amid the research system. Abductive approach manages the research technique gave to portrayal of deficient perceptions.

Research design is divided into two parts such as qualitative and quantitative research methods. However, it has been argued that research design is referred as the choice of particular aspects of the research area (Corneillie et al. 2015). Exploratory research has not aim providing final as well as conclusive answers for the research questions. In exploratory research, the research purpose is to generate insights related to situation. On the other hand, in conclusive research, it is required to verify insights as well as help in selecting a course of action. A critical analysis is achieved with the help of design of the research.

Descriptive research design aids conduction of the research with more portrayal through putting point-by-point data of the research theme. It is essential to portray the whole research with additional information in regards to the point of the research.

In the present research, descriptive research design has been selected. It helps to investigate theme of the research. With the help of research design, overall strategy selected by the researcher will be helpful to order to make integration of multiple components as well as logical way. Hence, it is required to ensure the selection of descriptive research design.

Data collection is helpful in a research for obtaining raw data from the respondents or secondary form of the research (af Wåhlberg 2017). Primary data are collected from online survey and interviews, whereas secondary data are collected from several secondary sources. In the research, primary data has been collected by organizing survey. On the other hand, secondary data are collected and analyzed in the form of literature review. Quantitative data analysis method has been used in order to analyze data gathered from survey.

Alvesson and Sköldberg (2017) stated that sample is consider to study the significance of soft skills in project. In the current research, stimple random probability sampling technique has been followed for collecting sample for the research. Sample of study is 45 in the research selected for survey.

The researcher to analyze the role of soft skills in project management for obtaining success of the project tried to follow ethical consideration, which can be helpful in making standardization of the topic (Karp et al. 2017). Any type of commercial data is avoided in the research. In addition, there was no external influence and mental or physical harassment involved with the research. 

The chapter explained several tools of selection useful for making better analysis of the topic. The tools are also helpful to analyze the importance of soft skills for improving the success rate of project. Selection of the tools is also helpful to give clear and right direction for the research. Selection of sample for the research is achieved with proper understanding of research methodology.

The chapter includes data collection and analysis for the research. In addition, it has been tried to find out the analysis of raw data gathered by conducting an online survey. As the research is based on the importance of project management soft skills for project management success, an online survey has been conducted where project managers of different organizations are considered as sample of the research. On the other hand, quantitative analysis is taken place for analyzing raw data from the survey.

1. How long you are working as a role of project manager in your organization?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
1-2 years	26.67%	12	45
3-4 years	22.22%	10	45
5-7 years	17.78%	8	45
8-10 years	17.78%	8	45
More than 10 years	15.56%	7	45

 It is clearly indicated in the above table that there are 26.67% participants in the online survey are working as project manager since 1 to 2 years. However, 22.22% participants in the survey are working since 3 to 4 years. On the other hand, 17.78% respondents in the survey are workings since 5 to 7 years. Same number of people is working since 8 to 10 years.  In the survey, nearly 15.56% participants are working for more than 10 years.

Hence, as most of the people are working in project manager since 1 to 2 years, it is required for the management of the organization to focus on updating the skills as required for being competitive in the market. On the other hand, there are many people in the survey working as project manager for long time. Hence, it is required to provide training to the staffs as they can easily update their skills and obtain competitive benefits.

1. How far you agree that effective communication has a significant role for getting success in a project?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Strongly agree	44.44%	20	45
Agree	33.33%	15	45
Neutral	11.11%	5	45
Disagree	6.67%	3	45
Strongly disagree	4.44%	2	45

The above table and graph state that there are nearly 44.44% participants in the survey are strongly agreed about the matter. Approximately 33.33% participants are agreed on the statement. However, there are more than 10% respondents remain neutral as they are not sure about the role of effective communication for project management success. There are nearly 6.67% participants in the online survey are disagreed that proeper communication has an important role for getting success in a project, whereas 4.44% people are strongly disagreed.

Hence, it is required to emphasize on the effective use of communication as one of the major project management soft skills in order to obtain success in the project. In this perspective, management of the organization needs to hire employees having sound communication skill. In addition, it is required to provide training to the project manager on practicing effective communication so that they can easily communicate with the staffs involved in the project. Along with this, effective communication with clients would be helpful to understand their demands and work according to that. It also helps to manage conflicts in the groups and take proper decision.

1. How far you agree that stakeholder management is beneficial for getting success in the project?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Strongly agree	31.11%	14	45
Agree	35.56%	16	45
Neutral	4.44%	2	45
Disagree	17.78%	8	45
Strongly disagree	11.11%	5	45

Table 3: Role of stakeholder management in project

The table indicates that there are 31.11% respondents out of total number of respondents in the survey are strongly agreed that that stakeholder management is beneficial for getting success in the project. In addition, nearly 35.56% participants in the survey are agreed with the statement. However, nearly 17.78% people in the survey are disagreed about the matter. On the other hand, 11.11% participants in the survey are strongly disagreed about the matter.

As stakeholder management is considered as systematic process for identification, analysis, planning as well as implementation of the actions in order to involve with the stakeholders. Stakeholder management is one of the vital activities. Thus, use of simple processes as well as investing modest effort can be helpful to make a big difference to get eventual success of the project through comprehending the demands of stakeholders. Hence, it is required to focus on stakeholder management as one of the important elements so that success in project can be acvhived.

1. What are the project management soft skills required for success of a project?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Communication	28.89%	13	45
Motivation	24.44%	11	45
Leadership	17.78%	8	45
Decision making	17.78%	8	45
Conflict management	11.11%	5	45

 The table depicts that there are approximately 28.89% participants in the survey think that communication is important soft skills required for gaining success in project management. Approximately 24.44% respondents think that motivation is required to provide among the staffs of the project. However, 17.78% participants think that leadership is one of the major aspects for adopting project management soft skills in the project. On the other hand, nearly 11.11% people think that conflict management process need to be used effectively in project management so that the organizations can obtain competitive benefits.

Hence, it is required to focus on communication as project management soft skills. For clients, communication of the project details in writing as well as periodic status report is necessary as it can assist reinforcing the message as well as develop rapport. It has been found status of the meetings as well as reports with teams to be invaluable as it assists to keep track of next steps, risks in project, action items, budget as well as process. Effective communication starts by putting in proper time as well as effort needed to understand team well as well as devising a proper communication plan, which connects with distinctive types of personality. Hence, it is required to develop effective communication skills so that the organization needs to provide training and adopt project management skills properly in the organization.

1. How far you agree that implementing project management soft skills has a number of challenges to be faced?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Strongly agree	31.11%	14	45
Agree	26.67%	12	45
Neutral	4.44%	2	45
Disagree	26.67%	12	45
Strongly disagree	11.11%	5	45

The above table indicates that there are nearly 31.11% participants in the survey are strongly agreed that implementation of project management soft skills has many challenges to be faced. On the other hand, there are 26.67% participants are agreed on the matter. However, approximately 4.44% participants remain neutral ion the survey, as they are not aware about the matter. On contrary, there are 26.67% participants are disagreed regarding the matter. In the survey, nearly 11.11% participants in the survey are strongly disagreed about the matter.’

Hence, most of the project manager participated in the survey are strongly agreed that they face challenges while using project management soft skills. The management of the particular organizations needs to take specific steps and invest money on deployment of soft skills so that organizations and involved members in project management need not to face challenges. Effective training, safety management and action based precautions would be helpful to manage soft skills in the projects.

1. What are the challenges faced while using project management soft skills in project management success?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Lack of training	35.56%	16	45
Emphasize on hard skills	17.78%	8	45
Lack of regulatory body or monitoring system	13.33%	6	45
Lack of standard criteria	20%	9	45
Unsuitable working environment	13.33%	6	45

It is important to focus on the challenges faced while using project management soft skills for success of the project. The above table and graph displays that there are nearly 35.56% respondents out of total number of respondents think that lack of training is a challenge to be faced. On the other hand, 17.78% participants think is the major challenges to be faced. In addition, 13.33% participants in the survey think that lack of regulatory body is considered as major challenge for using project management soft skills. On the other hand, same number of people thinks that unsuitable working environment is the major challenge to be faced, whereas 20% participants in the survey think that lack of standard criteria is the major barrier.

Hence, it can be stated that most of the project managers participated in the survey think that lack of training to the project manager is the major barrier to be faced. Training presents a scope to expand knowledge based on employees. Attending training sessions can be helpful to adopt effective skills so that success can be achieved with ease. Effective training can also be helpful to enhance employee performance, satisfaction as well as morale. In addition, it is helpful to address weakness of the staffs. Consistency can be grown up with the help of effective training to the members involved in project management.

1. How far you agree that organization has an important role in adopting project management soft skills for success of the project?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Strongly agree	33.33%	15	45
Agree	26.67%	12	45
Neutral	6.67%	3	45
Disagree	17.78%	8	45
Strongly disagree	15.56%	7	45

Table 7: Role of organization in adopting project management soft skills

Tere are 33.33% participants are strongly agreed that that organization has an important role in adopting project management soft skills for success of the project. Nearly 26.67% participants are agreed with the statement. Approximately 6.67% participants are neutral. However, nearly 17.78% participants are disagreed about the matter, whereas 15.56% respondents are strongly disagreed about the matter.

Thus, most of the participants in the survey are strongly agreed that that organization has an important role in adopting project management soft skills for success of the project. The organization needs to invest more on giving training about soft skill management. On the other hand, hiring employees with soft skill knowledge would be helpful for project management group to present effective outcome.

1. What are your recommendations regarding overcoming the challenges faced while using project management soft skills?

Options	Response %	Respondents	Total number of respondents
Providing adequate training	40%	18	45
Setting standard criteria	17.78%	8	45
Appropriate environment	15.56%	7	45
Creating monitoring system	15.56%	7	45
Investment on developing soft skills	11.11%	5	45

Table 8: Recommendations regarding overcoming the challenges

There are 40% participants opined that providing adequate training would be helpful to overcome the challenges faced while using project management soft skills. However, nearly 17.78% respondents think that setting standard criteria is one of the major approach needs to be adopted while using project management soft skills. Approximately 15.56% participants think that proper environment would be helpful to overcome the challenges faced while utilizing project management soft skills, whereas same number of people think that creation of monitoring system can assist to overcome the challenges. However, nearly 11.11% participants think that investment on developing soft skills can be useful for project managers to overcome the challenges faced for using project management soft skills.  

Thus, it can be stated that most of the participants in the survey think that providing adequate training would be helpful to overcome overcoming the challenges faced while using project management soft skills. It would be helpful to increase productivity as well as adherence to the quality standards. Along with these, it would be helpful to increase innovation in new strategies as well as products. Moreover, it can assist to minimize employee turnover.  Adequate training can also be helpful to improve reputation of the organization along with profile.

Summary statistics (Items):
Variable	Mean	Std. deviation
Communication	3.244	1.209
Motivation	3.356	0.908
Leadership	3.489	0.869
Decision making	3.911	1.062
Conflict management	3.533	0.815
Stakeholder management	3.600	0.863
Overall Project Success	3.600	1.031
Summary statistics (Scale):
Variable	Mean	Std. deviation
Scale	24.733	4.535
4.4 Correlation matrix :
Variables	Stakeholder management	Overall Project Success
Communication	0.553	0.044
Motivation	0.678	0.155
Leadership	0.600	0.147
Decision making	0.208	0.029
Conflict management	0.892	0.124
Stakeholder management	1	0.071
Overall Project Success	0.071	1
Covariance matrix :
Variables	Stakeholder management	Overall Project Success
Communication	0.577	0.055
Motivation	0.532	0.145
Leadership	0.450	0.132
Decision making	0.191	0.032
Conflict management	0.627	0.105
Stakeholder management	0.745455	0.064
Overall Project Success	0.064	1.063636
Analysis of variance:
Source
Between subjects
Within subjects
Between measures
Residual
Total
Computed against model Y=Mean(Y)
Cronbach’s alpha statistics :
Cronbach’s alpha
0.790
Guttman’s statistics:
Guttman L1
0.677
Display the best Split-Half:
Split-Half 1
Leadership
Conflict management
Stakeholder management
Deleted items statistics:
Variable	<Scale/deleted item> Guttman L6
Communication	0.804
Motivation	0.770
Leadership	0.767
Decision making	0.855
Conflict management	0.760
Stakeholder management	0.765
Overall Project Success	0.858
Correlation map:
Summary statistics (Items): Variable Observations Obs. with missing data Obs. without missing data Minimum Maximum Mean Std. deviation Communication 45 0 45 1.000 5.000 3.244 1.209 Motivation 45 0 45 2.000 5.000 3.356 0.908 Leadership 45 0 45 2.000 5.000 3.489 0.869 Decision making 45 0 45 1.000 5.000 3.911 1.062 Conflict management 45 0 45 2.000 5.000 3.533 0.815 Stakeholder management 45 0 45 2.000 5.000 3.600 0.863 Overall Project Success 45 0 45 2.000 5.000 3.600 1.031 Summary statistics (Scale): Variable Observations Obs. with missing data Obs. without missing data Minimum Maximum Mean Std. deviation Scale 45 0 45 18.000 34.000 24.733 4.535 4.4 Correlation matrix : Variables Communication Motivation Leadership Decision making Conflict management Stakeholder management Overall Project Success Communication 1 0.498 0.576 0.106 0.580 0.553 0.044 Motivation 0.498 1 0.782 0.151 0.721 0.678 0.155 Leadership 0.576 0.782 1 0.196 0.747 0.600 0.147 Decision making 0.106 0.151 0.196 1 0.214 0.208 0.029 Conflict management 0.580 0.721 0.747 0.214 1 0.892 0.124 Stakeholder management 0.553 0.678 0.600 0.208 0.892 1 0.071 Overall Project Success 0.044 0.155 0.147 0.029 0.124 0.071 1 Covariance matrix : Variables Communication Motivation Leadership Decision making Conflict management Stakeholder management Overall Project Success Communication 1.461616 0.547 0.605 0.136 0.571 0.577 0.055 Motivation 0.547 0.825253 0.618 0.146 0.533 0.532 0.145 Leadership 0.605 0.618 0.755556 0.181 0.529 0.450 0.132 Decision making 0.136 0.146 0.181 1.128283 0.185 0.191 0.032 Conflict management 0.571 0.533 0.529 0.185 0.663636 0.627 0.105 Stakeholder management 0.577 0.532 0.450 0.191 0.627 0.745455 0.064 Overall Project Success 0.055 0.145 0.132 0.032 0.105 0.064 1.063636 Analysis of variance: Source DF Sum of squares Mean squares F Pr > F Between subjects 44 129.257 2.938 4.756 < 0.0001 Within subjects 270 175.143 0.649    Between measures 6 12.089 2.015 3.262 0.004    Residual 264 163.054 0.618 Total 314 304.400 0.969 Computed against model Y=Mean(Y) Cronbach’s alpha statistics : Cronbach’s alpha Standardized Cronbach’s Alpha 0.790 0.814 Guttman’s statistics: Guttman L1 Guttman L2 Guttman L3 Guttman L4 Guttman L5 Guttman L6 0.677 0.813 0.790 0.835 0.790 0.823 Display the best Split-Half: Split-Half 1 Split-Half 2 Leadership Communication Conflict management Motivation Stakeholder management Decision making Overall Project Success Deleted items statistics: Variable <Scale/deleted item> Mean <Scale/deleted item> Variance <Scale/deleted item> Correlation <Scale/deleted item> R² <Scale/deleted item> Cronbach’s alpha <Scale/deleted item> Guttman L6 Communication 21.489 14.119 0.548 0.403 0.760 0.804 Motivation 21.378 14.695 0.724 0.685 0.725 0.770 Leadership 21.244 14.780 0.752 0.740 0.722 0.767 Decision making 20.822 17.695 0.195 0.057 0.826 0.855 Conflict management 21.200 14.800 0.814 0.867 0.715 0.760 Stakeholder management 21.133 14.936 0.732 0.828 0.726 0.765 Overall Project Success 21.133 18.436 0.120 0.036 0.837 0.858 Correlation map:

From above discussion, it summarizes that project management soft skills poses an important aspect for success of a project. However, there are several challenges while using project management soft skills, which are required to overcome by effective actions. Hence, project management soft skill has a great impact on success of the project. Thus, null hypothesis is justified in the research.

Conclusion

The above discussion concludes that soft skills matter as well as contribute as an important aspect to productivity. However, there is measurable and widening, skills gap along with soft skills are underrepresented in terms of development of skills initiatives. As the project managers need to interact with consumers, team members and involved stakeholder, it is required to get the point across communication skill. Along with these, it is also required to have superior people management skills. In addition, conflict resolution, development of team as well as mentoring skill is required to have in a project manager. However, several challenges impose while using project management soft skills. Therefore, proper steps and measures can be helpful to overcome the issues and gain competitive advantages. 

1. To establish relation between soft skills and project success

The objective is described in the literature review chapter of the study. On the other hand, by analyzing question 2 and 3, it can be clearly stated that there is a relation between soft skills and success of the project.

1. To find out the impact of effective soft skills in improving success rate of the project

The question no 4 and 5 are related the impact of effective soft skills in success of project. On the other hand, in literature review chapter, there has been description and secondary data analysis regarding the second objective of the research that proves proper justification of the objective.

1. To analyze the challenges for applying soft skills in project management

The question no 5 and 6 are linked with the objective. Moreover, it is explained in the literature review part of the study.

1. To recommend measures for overcoming the issues

In the survey questionnaire session, question no 8 is linked with providing recommendation to overcome the challenges while using soft skills in project. In addition, in the last chapter of the study, recommendations are provided.

As present market becomes more competitive day by day, it is required to take some actions that can be helpful eradicate the challenges faced while using soft skills in project management.

• Emotional intelligence can be the key for anticipating team dynamics and read emotions of team members.
• Following of ethics and integrity would be helpful for project managers.
• Better people management is required as effective project management soft skills.
• Adaptive communication would be helpful for obtaining competitive advantages.

As there was limited time, the research did not allow the respondents of larger sample sizes to do better analysis. On the other hand, the topic will be helpful for the future researchers as secondary sources, whereas it would be helpful for the project managers to gain effective actions in project management.

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