T-shaped project professionals: The secret to broader skills and deeper expertise

Project managers are known for being adaptable, flexible and ready to turn their hands to anything.  With this, it can feel like they’re a jack-of-all-trades. But in addition to these broad capabilities, some project professionals possess a deeper knowledge of specialist subjects. A term which has been coined, the T-shaped project professional.

What is a T-shaped project professional?

T-shaped professionals are individuals with deep expertise in a particular area (the vertical bar of the 'T') along with a breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines (the horizontal bar of the 'T'). This unique skill set enables them to effectively manage projects, foster innovation, and drive success in complex, multidisciplinary environments.

The term T-shaped skills is not new, with the concept being endorsed by organisations and individuals since the 1980s. In 2001, Morten T. Hansen and Bolko von Oetinger argued that T-shaped professionals not only contribute to their own business units but also foster growth and efficiency company-wide by sharing ideas and expertise. However, due to missteps and teething problems in its early adoption, the trend hasn’t come to the forefront until recently, with organisations now seeing the benefits of a T-shaped team while learning from the challenges of early adoption.

What are the benefits of employing T-shaped project professionals?

T-shaped project managers stand apart due to their ability to connect their area of expertise with a wide range of other skills and disciplines. Here’s a breakdown of what makes them an asset in project management:

Enhanced communication and collaboration

T-shaped project managers excel in fostering an environment of enhanced communication and collaboration. Their