Big five personality traits (OCEAN model)

Developed by Amalie Nygaard Müller

Abstract

A project is by the Project Management Institute (PMI) defined as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. Despite every project being unique, most projects include management practices such as balancing the iron triangle, assessing risk and engaging with stakeholders. Another common thing for projects is that no amount of scheduling or control will be of help if the human resources involved in a project are the wrong people . People are at the centre of every project and are part of every process from initiation till closing, and hence crucial to the success of a project. A core management practice within any given project is, therefore, the understanding, design and development of a project team.

When assembling a team it is not enough to look into the professional and technical competencies. It is also important to focus on the dynamics and diversity of the team, to ensure a good working environment and interaction between team members. As described in the PRINCE2 method , knowledge of people’s personality profiles and how different personality types affect each other can help the project manager design balanced project teams that work effectively. Knowledge of personality profiles can further enhance the project managers understanding of how to effectively motivate and communicate with the individual team members.

Through time multiple different personality assessment theories and concepts have been developed. The most acknowledge theory in psychology, currently, are the Big Five, also known as the OCEAN model, developed by Lewis Goldberg . The Big Five is a psychological framework and theory that through five factors; openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism, assesses a large variety of the traits and characteristics that together encapsulates what is commonly acknowledged as a personality. Each trait represents a continuum and the theory, therefore, contrary many other theories that are based on binary variables, does not place people in boxes, but gives an overview of a person’s personality and also makes it possible to measure individual differences hereof.

The Big Idea

• What is a personality
• Personality research through history
• What is OCEAN

       ** Description of the five factors (individually)

• OCEAN in relation to education and job performance

Application

• How to use the theory in practice w. regard to PM
• What to gain from the theory in practice w. regard to PM

Limitations

• Limitations of the Big Five theory