The construction industry plays a crucial role in both global and national economies, accounting for approximately 13% of the global gross domestic product and employing 7% of the worldwide workforce. In the United States, it serves as a key economic driver, influencing a large segment of the population through employment opportunities and infrastructure projects. However, despite its significance, the sector struggles with various challenges, such as decreasing productivity, ongoing workplace safety issues, and recurring labor conflicts. These obstacles not only impede economic progress but also impact worker well-being and operational efficiency.

Construction project managers play a vital role in tackling these persistent challenges. Their responsibilities are diverse, demanding a thorough grasp of multiple skills, highlighting the importance of clearly defining the competencies required for their roles. Our prior research identified 21 essential skills that construction project managers must master. Additionally, we identified key knowledge areas and personality traits that support these skills, which are crucial for addressing industry challenges and ensuring project success.

To explore the global academic community's views on the most essential personality traits and knowledge areas for these skills, we designed a comprehensive survey using Qualtrics platform. The survey featured 672 ranking questions, carefully structured so that each participant randomly and fairly responded to 21 ranking questions. This unique format enabled us to collect diverse and impartial data. Participants evaluated the importance of two universal knowledge areas, two domain-specific knowledge areas, and three personality characteristics in relation to three selected skills. This thorough methodology ensured a well-rounded assessment of the required competencies.

Our study analyzed responses from 2,016 academics worldwide, resulting in a comprehensive dataset to evaluate the significance of various knowledge areas and personality traits for each identified skill. The findings presented in this paper highlight the relevance of each knowledge area and personality characteristic to the ability to build, organize, mentor, and work in multi-disciplinary teams, set goals, and delegate responsibilities to meet project objectives. These insights provide valuable guidance for both academia and the industry, offering a strategic framework for competency development.

This paper emphasizes the essential knowledge areas and personality traits required for successful construction project management, aiming to shape curriculum development and professional training programs. The objective is to align educational and training efforts with the real-world demands of the global workforce, ensuring that future construction project managers are adequately prepared to navigate the industry's evolving challenges. This alignment is vital for cultivating a skilled and capable workforce that can enhance productivity and drive innovation in the construction sector.

Keywords: Construction project management, knowledge areas, multi-disciplinary teams, personality characteristics, skills.