Impact of Soft Skills on Project Management Success: Insights from Selected IT Project Handling Companies in Colombo, Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka’s IT industry, where the complexity of projects continuously increases, technical expertise itself is not sufficient to ensure success. This study examines the impact of eight critical soft skills—Trustworthiness, effective communication, conflict management, adaptability, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, motivation, and Leadership—on the success of an IT project in Colombo. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 200 participants, including project managers, IT team leaders, developers, engineers, and stakeholders, through structured questionnaires. The findings suggest that Leadership, motivation, adaptability, and effective communication are the most impactful predictors of project success, while other soft skills also positively contribute. The findings emphasize the importance of IT sector employees developing soft skills to foster better team collaboration, resolve conflicts efficiently, and enhance project results. Additionally, the study provides practical recommendations for improving training programs and project management practices, supporting the competitiveness of Sri Lanka's IT sector. Further studies could investigate how the development of soft skills influences long-term outcomes across various cultural and organizational settings.