Classification of Key Competencies for Construction Project Management: Literature Review and Content Analysis

Abstract

This paper investigates competency classifications in construction project management and the relevant fields as well as the tools and techniques applied for such classifications. A systematic review and a detailed content analysis of twenty-three selected references from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) library published over the last three decades were conducted. The findings of the content analysis showed that for classifying competencies, the information gathering techniques “review” and “authors’ perspective” were predominantly used in the selected sources, whereas the three techniques “factor analysis,” “interview/ meeting,” and “questionnaire/ survey” were seldom used. The content analysis of the selected references also indicated that competency, competency synonyms, competency subdivisions, or competency branches were classified into its components in many different ways. The most common classifications were identified, compared with each other, and the similarities and differences between them were addressed. The findings of this study are a step towards providing the literature with a comprehensive investigation of competency classifications and appropriate classification tools and techniques in the field of construction project management.