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OPM.gov / Policy / Career Paths for Federal Program and Project Management Guide / Competency Development Framework Part I
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Federal Program and Project Management Competency Development Framework - Part I

The Federal Program and Project Management Competency Development Framework incorporates recommended general and technical competencies, key work behaviors, and developmental opportunities needed to succeed as a program and project manager at all levels.

The intention of the framework is to assist agencies in charting workforce development for program and project manager and to assist senior leaders with succession planning. Aspiring and current program and project managers are also encouraged to review the framework to assess their knowledge of Government-specific leadership and technical competencies.

The framework is divided into two-parts. Part one identifies the recommended general and technical competencies for a Program and Project Manager at various career sages. Part two identifies key work behaviors, and recommended training, certification, and developmental opportunities that will strengthen competencies. Key work behaviors describe the specific job duties and tasks related to each competency that correlate with successful job performance. The key work behaviors at different grade levels may vary based on unique program factors such as risk, complexity, cost, location, and stakeholders.

Part one of the framework outlines recommended general and technical competency development for the effective career progression of Federal Program and Project Managers. The general competencies reflect the cognitive and social capabilities (e.g., problem solving, interpersonal skills) required for job performance. The technical competencies are specific to the particular knowledge and skill requirements necessary for program and project management. Individuals are expected to demonstrate advanced levels of proficiency in alignment with career progression. The general competencies below are from the OPM Program and Project Management Competency Model in Appendix D and are cumulative in nature, meaning the Expert-level skills are added to the Mid/Full Performance level skills and are further refined and developed in expertise.

General Competencies

Core General Competencies: These General competencies are grouped by likeness into six distinct categories.

  • Problem Solving, Decision Making, Accountability, Planning and Evaluating
  • Information Management, , Technical Competence, Technical Credibility, Technology Application
  • Integrity/Honesty, Leadership, Organizational Awareness, Partnering
  • Attention to Detail, Oral Communication, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Writing
  • Conflict Management, Flexibility, Interpersonal Skills, Team Building, Teamwork
  • Customer Service

Additional Core General Competencies: Program Manager Only

  • Creative Thinking
  • Teaching Others

May include Supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Core General Competencies

  • Creative Thinking
  • Influencing and Negotiating

Program Manager Only

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Teaching Others

May include Supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Core General Competencies

  • Creative Thinking
  • Influencing and Negotiating
  • Strategic Thinking

Program Manager Only

  • External Awareness
  • Manages Resources
  • Teaching Others
  • Manages Human Resources
  • Political Savvy

Technical Competencies

Core Technical Competencies

  • Schedule Management

Project Manager Only

  • Project Management
  • Requirements Management
  • Risk Management
  • Scope Management
  • Stakeholder Management

Program Manager Only

  • Compliance
  • Knowledge Management
  • Program Management

May include Supervisory responsibilities.

Core Technical Competencies

  • Compliance
  • Knowledge Management
  • Performance Measurement
  • Program Management
  • Project Management
  • Requirements Management
  • Risk Management
  • Schedule Management
  • Scope Management
  • Stakeholder Management

Project Manager Only

  • Acquisition Strategy
  • Quality Management

May include Supervisory responsibilities.

Core Technical Competencies

  • Acquisition Strategy
  • Change Management
  • Compliance
  • Knowledge Management
  • Performance Measurement
  • Program Management
  • Project Management
  • Quality Management
  • Requirements Management
  • Risk Management
  • Schedule Management
  • Scope Management
  • Stakeholder Management

Program Manager Only

  • Financial Management
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