Project Arab Gulf

More than once now I have come across Managers who in one organisation have two very different roles. This person is both the Department / Functional Manager (FM) responsible for a specialist area and the Project Manager (PM) responsible for a cross organizational project. I find myself asking the question is this healthy for the …

Write up for PMI-AGC Bahrain subject event.   Following the usual summer break, the Project Management Institute – Arabian Gulf Chapter (PMIAGC) Bahrain resumed its regular educational and entertaining activities with a seminar presented by an international speaker on the lively topic of FIDIC and Project Management. The event took place at the Bahrain Society of Engineers’ Auditorium …

Can PMOs and Centers of Excellence Coexist?   Are PMO’s and COE’s the same? Is a PMCOE just a glorified PMO? Have you come across a PMO and PMCOE in the same organization? Is there clear role differentiation? What do you think?   Click on the image or title above to read this post and …

Best Practices in Project Management — or Better Practice?     Project managers should use best practices but they should build, fine-tune and improve them to fit an organization.   – Saira Karim PMP, MCMI   Click on the title at the top to read the full post and join the discussion! Should best practices …

Is PMP certification a true reflection of a Project Managers competency?   There is a lot of interest around the PMP certification and as a trainer I frequently have discussions on the value of a PMP certification and its benefits to individuals, organisations and business as a whole. After some research I have summarised the …

It was one of those rare 30 degrees C, grey cloudy days in Bahrain as I sat and watched my son play after school footie. The young lads jostled, tumbled, puffed and panted with full expression as they pounded up and down the field tirelessly after the ball.   My PM mind began wondering and …

November 2011in Bahrain was a busy month for entrepreneurs, leaders and social media supporters. We were spoilt for choice with back-to-back conferences; start up events, networking opportunities and a spectrum of speakers from Bahrain and beyond. Why I attended these events? There is a close relationship between project management and leadership. We use leadership skills …

‘Business champion eases back the throttle’ Article in the Gulf Daily News – 18.05.2011 http://bit.ly/lHDlB3   The article about Jamil Wafa in the  Gulf Daily News (GDN) yesterday bothered me and had me thinking all day, the first thought was ‘Thank you GDN’ its taken you a while but this was an interesting article worth …

About 2 months ago my experiences of social media were rather select I had FB and LinkedIn and I can’t say I used any to its full potential. So when a friend suggested I join twitter as well I scoffed at her because I couldn’t see any value to it. To my mind apps like …

  The popularity and demand for project management techniques has increased over the last 10 years, however the reality is that many still don’t really understand what project management is.  There is a misconception that Project management is only relevant to engineers, IT, manufacturing and the construction profession. What isn’t realised is that the same …

How Project Managers Can Execute Force Majeure Clauses     The revolutions and demonstrations last year in the Middle East and North Africa, dubbed the Arab Spring of 2011, was a trying time for project managers in the region. As we near the first year anniversary of these historic events, we face more uncertainty…….to read …

  PMI Pre Exam Requirements CAPM – CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRE EXAM REQUIREMENTS • A secondary diploma (high school or the global equivalent)

AND • At least 1,500 hours experience OR 23 hours of project management education. Link for more information http://www.pmi.org/en/Certification/Certified-Associate-in-Project-Management-CAPM.aspx NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ON EXAM • 150 multiple choice • 15 questions …

Use Project Management Tools in the Right Context! Companies often buy expensive project management applications and then force teams to conform and adapt to the application rather than customize the application to the needs of the people and project. What experiences can you share of failing to engage stakeholders before investing in technology? What factors …

France’s provocative move to ban the Burqa (face veil) raises many questions. I am surrounded by women who cover their faces and lead perfectly normal lives like most other women on Planet Earth.  So, I couldn’t see why France would want to make a national issue of a dress choice of a mere 2000 women …

Project Arab Gulf aims to explore, capture & report about PM in the region. Hence, we are covering the development & implementation of the unique expansion program of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. These projects aim to expand the city’s physical, social, cultural & business boundaries unlike before. The sponsors of this program are the government of …

Best Practices to Engage with Cross-Cultural Teams     I stated that some of the most common problems of cross-cultural working arise from the following three main misconceptions: 1. Assuming your way is the correct way 2. Assuming everybody understands your language 3. Selecting organizations or individuals on language abilities Not everyone agreed with me! …

Most days I pass by an iconic roundabout known as the ‘Clock Tower Roundabout’. The morning is of particular interest because it’s where my drama begins. I’m at the front of my lane waiting for an opening to make the mad dash out and around the roundabout. The car in my left lane is so …

Best Practices Improve Customer Experiences     Do you agree with me that project-driven organizations must consider customer satisfaction as a critical success factor? I look at some of the reasons why project teams get the product or service wrong. What else can you add to this list? What other practices can help deliver positive …

  Are you a Project Manager who uses networking skills as a tool for managing your team and projects?     Networking is a must have skill for all professionals and executives. Recruiters increasingly look for ‘strong networking skills’ in prospective employees. Individuals with these skills can attract higher salaries, visibility and better promotion prospects. …

  At our meeting in the Hotel’s bustling Caffe Cino, Mr Ibrahim Atwa, Director of Business Development at the Makkah Hilton & Towers made the statement;   ‘There is only one Makkah, there is only one black cube’   This was a perfect summary to the many questions I had asked him for my next …

I am the EARTH that nurtures, sustains and embraces diversity! – My personal metaphor     This was my discovery at a ‘Brand New You’ workshop I attended this week. Our facilitator Dr. Clare, http://www.beckett-mcinroy.com, took us on a daylong discovery of our inner wants and trapped ambitions. The final crescendo was to choose a …

Throughout corporate Arabia from the boardroom to the grounds men the commonly used term ‘Inshallah’ rings alarm bells and raises red flags for anyone who comes across it. No longer is it the honor binding pledge of trust and only God can come between us! Now it’s become an excuse to procrastinate or excuse oneself …