Includes Society Skills: A Core PM Competency for Ethical Value Delivery
PMBOK v8 Definition
Includes Society Skills is a project management competency that refers to the acknowledgment that the project management team makes decisions that are aligned to the common good. This competency includes but is not limited to: giving back to the profession and to society as a responsibility; adhering to ethical standards by respecting cultural and social norms; and striving for self-development and continuous improvement. It is one of the key competencies within the broader Power Skills category, which encompasses all people skills that a project management team should apply to successfully execute the project.
Why It Matters for the Exam
This concept appears frequently in PMI exam questions about professional and social responsibility, ethical decision-making, and stakeholder engagement. It is tested in situational questions where the project manager must choose between competing values or interests, particularly when organizational goals may conflict with broader societal or ethical considerations. Expect to see it in questions about the PMI Code of Ethics, stakeholder management, and the project manager's role in delivering value beyond financial metrics.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
- Core Definition: Decisions aligned to the common good, not just organizational profit
- Three Pillars:
- Giving back to the profession and society as a responsibility
- Adhering to ethical standards by respecting cultural and social norms
- Striving for self-development and continuous improvement
- Competency Category: Part of Power Skills (people skills), which also includes adaptability and emotional intelligence (EI)
- Strategic Alignment: Projects are conceived to add value to society – this is a fundamental PM principle
- Common Confusion: Includes Society Skills is not about corporate social responsibility (CSR) alone – it is a personal/professional competency of the project management team
- Exam Tip: When a question presents a dilemma between profit and ethical/social considerations, the PMI answer will always prioritize the common good and ethical standards
Typical PMI Exam Example
Situation: A project manager is leading a construction project in a community with strong cultural traditions. The project team discovers that the proposed site is considered sacred by local residents, though the legal permit has been obtained. What should the project manager do?
PMI Answer: The project manager should adhere to ethical standards by respecting cultural and social norms, engage with the community to understand their concerns, and seek alternative solutions that align with the common good – even if this delays the project or increases costs.
PMI Exam Traps
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Trap: Confusing Includes Society Skills with corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs
- Reality: It is a personal competency of the project management team, not an organizational initiative
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Trap: Assuming "common good" means sacrificing project objectives
- Reality: It means balancing project goals with ethical, social, and cultural considerations
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Trap: Thinking "giving back to the profession" is optional or secondary
- Reality: It is a responsibility, not an optional activity – tested as a professional obligation
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Trap: Separating self-development from societal responsibility
- Reality: Continuous improvement is explicitly listed as part of this competency – they are connected
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Power Skills | Broader Category | Includes Society Skills is one component; also includes adaptability and emotional intelligence |
| Interpersonal Skills | Complementary | Initiative, integrity, honesty, collaboration, respect, empathy, and confidence support Includes Society Skills |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Application Context | Engaging stakeholders to understand, consider, communicate, and respond to their interests, needs, and opinions |
| Competency Development | Enabler | Project management team fosters a learning culture that blends competencies across the team |
| Ways of Working | Complementary Framework | Standards, methodologies, and frameworks used to execute projects and add value to the organization |
Quick Review Questions
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A project manager is offered a bonus for completing a project ahead of schedule, but the accelerated timeline would require bypassing environmental impact assessments. What competency should guide the project manager's decision?
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Which of the following is NOT included in the Includes Society Skills competency: (a) giving back to the profession, (b) adhering to ethical standards, (c) maximizing shareholder value, or (d) striving for self-development?
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A project team is working in a foreign country with different cultural norms regarding hierarchy and decision-making. According to PMBOK v8, what competency should the team apply?
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The project management team decides to mentor junior project managers from underrepresented communities at no cost. This action demonstrates which specific competency?
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True or False: Includes Society Skills is primarily about the organization's corporate social responsibility policies.
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 2.5.1.1 – Competency Model: Includes Society Skills (within Power Skills category)