The construction industry is a pivotal element of global and national economies, contributing about 13% to the global gross domestic product and employing 7% of the worldwide labor force. As a significant economic catalyst in the United States, the construction sector impacts a substantial portion of the population through job creation and infrastructure development. However, despite its vital role, the sector faces numerous challenges, including declining productivity rates, persistent workplace safety concerns, and frequent labor disputes. These challenges not only hinder economic growth but also affect the well-being and efficiency of the workforce.

Construction project managers are essential in addressing these ongoing issues. Their roles are multifaceted and require a comprehensive understanding of various skills, emphasizing the necessity for a clear understanding of the skills required for their positions. Our previous research identified 21 crucial skills that construction project managers must possess. We also pinpointed essential knowledge domains and personality traits necessary for these skills, which are integral to overcoming industry challenges and achieving project success.

To gain insights into the global academic community's perspectives on the most critical personality characteristics and knowledge areas for these skills, we developed an extensive survey using the Qualtrics platform. This survey included 672 ranking questions, meticulously designed to ensure that each participant randomly and equitably answered 21 ranking questions. This innovative structure allowed us to gather diverse and unbiased data. Participants were asked to assess the significance of two universal knowledge areas, two domain-specific knowledge areas, and three personality characteristics to three selected skills. This comprehensive approach ensured a holistic evaluation of the necessary competencies.

Our study processed responses from 2,016 academics from around the world, providing a robust data set for analyzing the importance of each knowledge area and personality characteristic for each identified skill. The findings from this research presented in this paper focus on the relevance of each knowledge area and personality characteristic to the ability to select and use proper forecasting techniques for construction-related issues. These insights are invaluable for both academia and the industry as they offer a clear direction for strategic competency development.

By highlighting the critical areas of knowledge and personality characteristics necessary for effective construction project management, this paper aims to influence curriculum planning and professional training programs. The goal is to align educational and training initiatives with the actual needs of the global workforce, ensuring that future construction project managers are well-equipped to handle the evolving demands of the industry. This alignment is crucial for fostering a skilled and competent workforce capable of driving productivity and innovation in the construction sector.

Keywords: Construction project management competencies, domain-specific knowledge areas, personality characteristics, skills, universal knowledge areas.