>Maybe project management should be more about deliverables and budget! Maybe it's more of a "people" skills issue than a "technical" one?

It should be about both. My direct report is a project manager and his position is some about people skills, but it is much more about organization and getting tasks prioritized. He also happens to have a solid technical background. One of the best bosses I've ever had. We disagree often because I'm not into the rah-rah-team stuff for it's own sake, but he has never let that interfere with our work.