Saira Karim

Author's details

Name: Saira Karim
Date registered: April 14, 2011

Latest posts

  1. Bahrain Conference – advises regions leaders to change, innovate & think out of the box — December 1, 2012
  2. Inforgraphic – ‘Take a break’ How non stop working affects our health! — November 7, 2012
  3. Ramadan Survey Results: A Productive or Unproductive month for work? — July 16, 2012
  4. PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – A Project With No Project Charter? — May 20, 2012
  5. PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – Best Practices to Engage with Cross-Cultural Teams — April 1, 2012

Most commented posts

  1. Functional Manager & Project Manager in the same organisation? — 4 comments
  2. Part 1. Makkah Expansion Projects, past, present & future — 4 comments
  3. Is project success dependent on a Project Managers networking abilities? — 3 comments
  4. Ramadan Survey Results: A Productive or Unproductive month for work? — 3 comments
  5. Communication – Lessons from a boys football game — 1 comment

Author's posts listings

Dec
01

Bahrain Conference – advises regions leaders to change, innovate & think out of the box

2nd Bahrain International Leadershift Conference     Following up on last year I attended Day 1 of the 2nd Bahrain International Leadershift conference, this years line up of speakers was impressive and varied with leadership gems coming from the health, education, business and diplomatic sectors.   The conference kicked off with the expected pomp and …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/12/2nd-leadershift/

Nov
07

Inforgraphic – ‘Take a break’ How non stop working affects our health!

    If you think working overtime, skipping your lunch hour and staying chained to your desk will make you more productive, you need to cut yourself some slack and take a break http://www.learnstuff.com/take-a-break    

Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/11/inforgraphic/

Jul
16

Ramadan Survey Results: A Productive or Unproductive month for work?

  The month of Ramadan affects business, industry and projects within the Muslim world and globally it affects partners and stakeholders that have links with these countries observing Ramadan. For a month regional businesses adapt and connect with a fasting population and workforce by changing working hours, working in shifts and preparing for the many …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/07/ramadan-survey/

May
20

PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – A Project With No Project Charter?

Post - A Project with no Project Charter?

A Project with no Project Charter?   Also known as the project initiation document, the project charter is a high-level document created at the start of a project and referred to throughout the project’s duration. It is the foundation of the project, a basis for how the project can evolve. The charter should state the …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/05/voices-project-charter/

Apr
01

PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – Best Practices to Engage with Cross-Cultural Teams

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! …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/04/cross-cultural-teams/

Mar
12

Project Management can deliver successful results

  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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/03/bizladies12-3-12/

Mar
01

How Project Managers Can Execute Force Majeure Clauses

Project Management & Force Majeure Clauses

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/03/force-majeure-clauses/

Feb
13

PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – Best Practices Improve Customer Experiences

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/02/voices-customer-experiences/

Jan
22

‘Self discovery’ – A way to personal advancement and professional effectiveness

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2012/01/self-discovery/

Dec
08

Can Project Management be separated from Leadership and Entrepreneurship?

HE Dr Ali Mirza opening the Leadershift conference Nov. 2011

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/12/pm-leaders-entrepreneurs/

Dec
02

PMP, a benchmark certification or an exam cram qualification?

Magazines

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/12/cert-or-exam-cram/

Oct
17

Is project success dependent on a Project Managers networking abilities?

  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. …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/10/pm-networking/

Oct
01

FIDIC and Project Management Seminar

PMI-AGC, Bahrain Society of Engineers Auditorium

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/10/fidic-pm-seminar/

Sep
20

PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – Can PMOs and Centers of Excellence Coexist?

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/09/pmi-voices-pmo-pmcoe/

Aug
15

PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – Use PM Tools in the Right Context

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/08/voices2/

Jul
22

PMI ‘Voices on Project Management’ – Best Practices or Better Practice?

How does your organisation use Best Practices?

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/07/pmi-voices1/

Jul
08

Are you prepared to pass your CAPM / PMP Exams?

Main Themes

  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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/07/capm-pmp/

Jul
04

Part 2. The kaaba and beyond – Epicentre of a futuristic city

Areas of Expansion around the kaaba

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/07/makkah-2/

Jun
19

Part 1. Makkah Expansion Projects, past, present & future

Abraj Al Bait Project 2004-2011

  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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/06/makkah1/

Jun
11

Functional Manager & Project Manager in the same organisation?

Job Role - Project Manager & Functional Manager

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: http://www.projectarabgulf.com/2011/06/pm-fm/

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