My perspective on capability development is shaped by a unique intersection of experience. As a Chief Commercial Officer, I am responsible for building and leading high-performing teams within a corporate environment, making decisions on the recruitment, promotion and development of commercial professionals supporting project delivery.
At the same time, as a University Professor, I am also involved in developing the next generation of project and commercial talent entering the profession. This dual perspective has reinforced a simple but often overlooked reality: project success is ultimately determined by the capability of the people delivering it. While organisations invest heavily in systems, processes, and technology, their effectiveness depends on the competence of those who operate them.
In my experience, the difference between successful and underperforming projects often comes down to the capability of the team not just the quality of the systems in place.
Developing a structured approach to assessing and enhancing project delivery capability is therefore not simply a workforce development initiative; it is a strategic imperative for organisations seeking consistent project success.
There is a Skills Shortage in Project Delivery
One of the prevailing challenges in the delivery of projects is the shortage of skilled professionals capable of managing and controlling complex projects. As competition for top-tier talent intensifies, organisations must prioritise upskilling their existing workforce while attracting and retaining capable individuals.
Without sufficient investment in building internal capabilities, organisations risk project delays, cost escalation, scope creep, and stakeholder dissatisfaction. However, the link between employee competency and project performance is often overlooked.
It is therefore obvious that improving people’s capabilities offers significant impact on project success because individuals are the ones that operate the very systems and processes designed for project delivery. A structured approach to developing project delivery capabilities is therefore essential to achieving sustainable project success.
A Structured Approach to Developing Project Delivery Capability
For organisations to deliver projects successfully, it is critical to assess current project delivery capabilities across various roles from project and programme management to commercial management and project controls.
Identifying competency gaps enables targeted development efforts, ensuring that individuals possess the necessary skills to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
This approach should extend beyond traditional training programmes and should encompass behavioural development, embedding best practices across all the entire project delivery areas.
A comprehensive approach to project delivery and control capability enhancement should include:
- Capability Assessment Framework: Establishing a structured evaluation process to identify competency strengths and weaknesses across project delivery roles.
- Gap Identification and Development: Implementing targeted initiatives to address competency gaps through training, mentorship, and practical application.
- Integrated Project Delivery: Ensuring a unified and systematic approach to project delivery encompassing cost, schedule, risk, contract and commercial, resource, performance management etc. Strengthening collaboration across the project delivery areas to improve project outcomes.
- Behavioural Embedding: Encouraging a culture of accountability, continuous professional development, and continuous improvement in project delivery practices.
Tailor Capability Evaluation Frameworks to Your Organisation
There are several established frameworks that help assess project management competencies. However, these frameworks are often designed as broad industry models and may not fully reflect the specific roles, delivery environments, governance requirements, and organisational structures within a particular business.
To generate meaningful insights, organisations should tailor competency and capability frameworks to align with their unique operating context. This includes defining the technical and behavioural competencies required across different project delivery roles and establishing clear proficiency levels against which individuals can be assessed.
While developing a tailored framework can be complex and may require specialist support, the benefits are significant. A well-designed capability assessment framework provides greater visibility of competency gaps, enables targeted development initiatives, strengthens workforce planning, and creates a clear link between individual capability and project performance.
Conclusion
Project delivery skills and competency play a pivotal role in ensuring successful project outcomes. While organisations often focus on improving systems and processes, the most significant impact comes from enhancing the capabilities of the people who operate them.
A structured approach to competency evaluation, skills development, and behavioural reinforcement is essential for sustainable project success.
By investing in and prioritising project delivery capability enhancement, organisations can develop high-performing teams, foster a culture of continuous capability improvement, optimise project performance, reduce delivery risks and ultimately achieve their strategic objectives.
By Prof. Yakubu Olawale
29/06/2026