Core competencies and the practice of construction management: A pilot South African study

International literature indicates that core competencies in the form of three categories, namely self concept, traits, and motives, are important competencies in terms of the practice of construction management and the achievement of project success. The competencies per category are as follows. Self-concept: values; aptitude; attitude, and self-image. Traits: self-confidence; team player, and handle ambiguity. Motives: focus on client success; preservation of organisation integrity, and preservation of personal integrity. The research reported on in the paper constitutes the exploratory phase of the study Core competencies and the practice of construction management. The exploratory study was undertaken in the form of a quantitative survey conducted among members of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) based in South Africa. Findings include that all the core competencies are important in terms of the practice of construction management at all three levels, and the achievement of project success. The paper concludes that the core competencies are at the very least equally important to the surface competencies in the form of knowledge and skills, which alone will not assure the optimum practice of construction management and project success. The paper recommends that construction management undergraduate and honours programmes need to focus on the development of the core competencies through a range of interventions such as: focus on ethics; engendering an understanding and appreciation for granting all project parameters equal status and for the synergistic relationship between them; student presentations; group projects, and integrative projects.