Mr. Abba will speak on the topic of “The element of Risk in Earned Value Management.”

According to conference information, the growing worldwide recognition of Earned Value Management -- EVM -- as a powerful technique for integrating project cost, schedule and technical performance management is influencing changes in the way government, industry and professional organizations view project management. In the United States, the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President has changed the basis for agency budgets by adding strong emphasis on EVM and risk management. The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of the US Congress in the legislative branch, is nearing completion of a comprehensive Cost Assessment Guide, a tool for auditors and agencies that addresses national expectations for integrating cost estimating, EVM and risk management.

For industry, the National Defense Industrial Association in the USA has published a series of guides for EVM-based project management and is collaborating with counterparts in the United Kingdom. PMI’s ongoing update to the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK (R)) is expected to reflect these developments and to increase PMI's value to government and industry.

As a key participant in all these initiatives, Mr. Abba will provide congress participants in Istanbul with a global overview of the trend toward fully integrated project management. The relationship between EVM and risk management is critical -- not only at the individual project level but also at the highest levels of government.

The two-day congress in Istanbul will include several keynote addresses, presentations from leading project-driven organization representatives in the public, private and academic sectors, a cocktail party, pm software demonstrations and a closing panel discussion. For additional information, contact Natali Toma, Project Sponsor at ntoma@ica.com.tr or Ahmet N. Taspinar, Project Manager at mbpnet@hotmail.com.

According to the brochure, the objective for the day is to look again, and in different ways, at risk and risk management. Although risk management processes, tools and techniques are well established in most project environments, the reasons for suboptimal implementation in many cases are not fully understood. The central theme of the seminar is that appropriate risk-taking is a life skill; so how do we transfer what we all do daily, often without thinking, to add value for projects and business?

The keynote speaker will be Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE, a liberal democrat peer and campaigner for appropriate risk taking in society. The day will be facilitated by Ruth Murray-Webster of Lucidius Consulting and David Hillson of Risk Doctors & Partners, both of whom are on the leading edge of thinking on risk management. For registration information, see the brochure click here.

The Engineering Project Management Forum (EPMF) is an Inter-Institutional committee which promotes effective project management, mainly by organising events around the United Kingdom. The initial idea to establish the Forum was made during a meeting at the National Economic Development Office (NEDO), which was formerly part of HM Treasury. EPMF members include the Institutions of Chemical, Civil and Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Association for Project Management.

In addition, representatives are also currently invited from the British Computer Society, Department of Trade and Industry, European Construction Institute, Chartered Management Institute, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. British Expertise is the latest body to join. "The mission of the EPMF is to develop and promote the practice of Professional Project Management of all engineering disciplines, so as to enable and enhance the application and excellence of engineering skills". For additional information, visit http://epmf.aston.ac.uk/.

According to promotional information, the Summit will promote best practices, provide alternative approaches to common problems and challenge delegates to think about solutions to key project management issues. The programme will feature peer case study speakers and workshops with experts discussing how they have tackled difficult projects, there will be unique interactive opportunities to put your problems to the experts to discuss, share and analyze your particular challenges.

A relaxed and social gala dinner will be featured on the evening of the first day, providing delegates with an opportunity to network and make new contacts. Richard Noble OBE will deliver the after dinner speech. Further information can be found at www.bppmsummit.com.

Roger Staubach will speak on the topic of “Facing the Challenge”, the leadership skills involved in facing challenges of teams in corporate environments. Mr. Staubach has become a role model for leadership as one of the 'winningest' quarterbacks in NFL history and as the Chairman and CEO of his successful real estate firm, The Staubach Company.

According to PMI Dallas chapter president, Dwaraka Iyengar, “This is a great opportunity. Everyone in north Texas knows Roger Staubach. His speech should be inspiring and interesting. Our chapter team has done a great job with organizing this event!”

Other featured speakers for the day will include Gopal Kapur and Gregory Balestrero. Mr. Kapur, founder and president of the Center for Project Management and noted authority on project management, will open the event with his inspiring address, How Project Managers Can Be Productively Disruptive in a Crazy World. Greg Balestrero, CEO of the Project Management Institute, will round out the day with his look at The Value of Project Management.

Attendees will also have opportunities to participate in breakout sessions across four separate tracks: (1) Project Management Tools, (2) Leadership Skills, (3) Global Engagement, and (4) Trends and Challenges. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 28 April 2007, from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. A networking session will be offered from 5 – 7:00 p.m. The venue will be the Hotel Intercontinental Dallas in Addison, Texas, USA. Fully paid attendees can receive eight (8) professional development units (PDUs).

Simultaneously with the Professional Development Day (PDD), the PMI Dallas Chapter will also run a Project Management Job Fair at the same place from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.. Whether you are unemployed or underemployed, or simply looking for new opportunities, this will be an opportunity to connect with the PDD sponsors and other local employers.

For registration or sponsorship opportunities, or for more information, visit www.pmidallas.org/.

With over 3,800 members, the Dallas Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) is one of the oldest and largest chapters of PMI in the world. Monthly dinner meetings feature a wide variety of project management experts and topics, and typically attract over 200 attendees. The chapter sponsors workshops, PMP development opportunities, an annual Vendor exhibition, a school outreach program, corporate interaction and other activities. The 2007 president of the Dallas Chapter is Mr. Dwaraka Iyengar. The Dallas Chapter fully supports the PMI objective of “Making Project Management Indispensable to Business Results”. For additional information, visit www.pmidallas.org/index.phtml.

True Solutions, Inc. (TSI) is a global provider of outsourced project management services, staff augmentation and project management training. The company is a Global Registered Education Provider as recognized by The Project Management Institute (PMI). The company is based in Dallas, Texas and has offices in Atlanta, Europe, Australia and India. It is a supplier to a number of Fortune 100 companies, educational institutions and government agencies. The company was founded in 1999 by Wes Balakian, who currently serves as president and CEO. TSI may be visited on the Internet at www.true-solution.com.