Volume X - Issue I - January 2008
Regional Reports
 What to Expect in Argentina
During 2007, the growth of Argentina’s economy maintained its pace for the fifth consecutive year. According to the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean – ECLAC, the country registered a growth of 8,6% on its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), being the largest growth rate of the South American region. ECLAC also highlights that the economic activity has grown up to 25% in comparison to the maximum point registered in 1998, and that unemployment has been reduced to only 8%. Even though uncertainty due to presidential elections held back some investments, 2007 was clearly a year full of projects for all Argentineans. It was also a year of clear expansion for the Project Management Profession. For 2008, all economical analysts agree that the country will maintain its favourable conditions. In this picture, what could we expect for the Project Management Profession in Argentina 2008? Read complete report in English | Spanish
Looking back and By Raju Rao
Looking backThe year 2007 saw quite a few activities in India in terms of conferences and seminars in project management and interesting projects being announced. Some of the salient ones included
The transitionAs I see it, there seems to be a transition from an predominantly IT or BPO emphasis on growth to other sectors namely infrastructure, construction etc. From a project management standpoint this would mean a shift in knowledge, skills and market orientation. Many mega projects are being announced and this means a lot more emphasis on certification, up-gradation of knowledge skills and practices particularly in the areas of program management. Read complete report in English
 Current Developments Affecting Project Management in Nigeria By O. Chima Okereke, PhD Projects in Nigeria by Nigerians in Diaspora As Africans, we are grateful for all the efforts being made by the United Nations and various countries to help alleviate poverty and hunger among our people. It may be relevant to explain that many Africans are enterprising and would not want this state of perpetual dependence on outside help to continue. Indeed, the Ibos of Nigeria have a saying that: “the child the father fights for will never grow up”. It is not being overly ambitious to suggest that we Africans wish “to grow up” by starting to solve our problems as other nations do. It is in this context that I would like to discuss some contributions; some are in form of projects although insignificant as they may be, being made by Nigerians in Diaspora for the development of their communities of origin in Nigeria. These Nigerians initiate and implement projects with the Christmas and New Year, and Easter festive periods providing opportunities for meetings and for the launch of such projects. Alternatively, such periods could be used for discussing potential projects at communal or professional meetings held in Nigeria or overseas. Read complete report in English
Project Management News from South Africa By Jaycee Krüger
News from PM Professional Organizations PMSA News The PMSA executive committee, branch presidents and some board members conducted a strategic session on 28 November in Johannesburg. General direction and strategy status quo was generally confirmed, with a step-up in service delivery to members. Toward this it was decided to increase efforts in engaging and co-operating with other professional and project management associations and organizations, nationally and internationally. A comprehensive report will soon be available on the new look PMSA website (www.pmisa.co.za) which went live early December. PMI SA Chapter News PMI (South Africa Chapter) conducted their strategic meeting on 24 November. Some significant decisions taken were to participate in the PMI pilot programme on the newly announced PMF (Performance Management Framework) in order to drastically improve service to members. Another significant decision was to decrease the Chapter’s dependency on and joint initiatives with PMSA, while still maintaining close relations, possibly via cooperative agreements. The SA Chapter has the benefit of an energetic and motivated executive committee which is expected to revive the chapter to its formal glory. PM Education & Standards News The PMSGB (Project Management Standards Generating Body) which is formed under the SAQA Act 58 of 1995, and received sponsorship from the Services SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) is about to be revived in order to continue the development of further Project Management Standards to expand the present portfolio of standards. Volunteers are called for, and interested individuals should contact the convener of the body, Lesley Rider, at ljr1@mweb.co.za. Read complete report in English
Project Management Reported by Alfonso Bucero, PMP
Project management interest is growing up among construction project professionals, most of whom are experienced and formally trained people and project management practitioners. A good example about that was an event celebrated this month in Madrid; more than 100 architects attended that session, as explained José Antonio Pantoja, responsible for the AEDIP training Commission. This was one of the conclusions summarized by AEDIP (Spanish Project Management Association), that is beginning to collect the results from their policy centered in the profession promotion and development during the last years. Then, the training offer was exclusively delivered some years ago in Madrid and Barcelona, and now it is spread out to many Spanish cities, like Coruña, Sevilla, Valencia and Malaga, as an example. Five years ago, the Master in Construction Project Management (MeDIP) from the Polithecnical University of Madrid, sponsored by AEDIP, was something new. Today, the offering has been multiplied by four, not only at the Public University but also at the private ones and, then MeDIP, has been converted into the ideal platform for future professionals starting in that industrial sector. Read complete report in English | Spanish
Report on Projects & By Mounir Ajam Program Management, Film Festival & Other Events The weather is great and so are the activities in Dubai. During this period of the year, more and more events are taking place, including shows, festivals, conferences, etc. This report highlights some of them. The Dubai International Film Festival This event started a few years back as a project in Dubai and after a few years it has become quite established and internationally recognized. We are not yet at level of the Canne Film Festival but our start has been great. The Dubai International File Festival (DIFF) took place in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah from 9 to 16 December and was attended by international stars like George Clooney and Sharon Stone. The DIFF is a major project, and one of the projects launched a few years ago to help convert Dubai into a Knowledge Economy and a place where culture is of a prominent place and having international attention. Global Project & Process Management Association A team of volunteers in Dubai continues to work toward establishing a professional association to advocate professional practices in the area of organizational management’s two aspects: projects and processes. The Global Project & Process Management Association (GPPMA) has been formed and a Board of Directors has been established with 10 volunteers. A Steering Committee is also still in place. The BOD have submitted all of the necessary papers to finalize the legal registration and we expect this to be completed in January. There will be a special report published on this GPPMA once the registration is complete. Read complete report in English
Project Management Round Up from the UK By Miles Shepherd Major Projects The past year has seen the completion of some important projects, and substantial progress on others. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link completes one of the largest and most complex rail projects in the past hundred years while the completion of the final element of the London Area Traffic Centre brings a long running programme to an end. Amongst the incomplete projects, Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 Phase 1 is nearing completion and is expected to open for business at the end of March 2008, a month ahead of schedule. Current reports indicate that the project is well within budget. There are a number of new projects to report: first, in a major funding announcement, the Arts Council has granted £50 million to the Tate Modern gallery on London’s Bankside. This funding allows the extension of the Gallery more than double in size and is intended to allow it to become the world’s premier institution for contemporary and modern art before the London Olympics, according to the Independent newspaper. Read complete report in English
Project
News from Washington State
AACE International - Seattle Section News The Seattle Section of AACE International will hold its January meeting on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at the University of Washington in Seattle. A presentation on the topic of “Basic Scheduling” will be provided by Steve Wageman. Steve has over 25 years of general and project management experience, and is currently a Project Controls Engineer in the Capital Projects Office at the University of Washington. Steve is a Certified Cost Consultant, Planning and Scheduling Professional, and Earned Value Professional through AACE International, and is also a Project Management Professional through PMI. Steve was formerly an Authorized Primavera Instructor, and has specialized expertise in scheduling, cost estimating, earned value management, risk management, and training. Persons interested in Project Controls, Project Management, Cost Estimating, Scheduling, Value Engineering, Budget Control, Cost Engineering in both Construction and non-Construction are cordially invited. Cost is only $10. The Seattle Section of AACE International has been meeting in various locations in the greater Seattle since July 1980. For more information, visit http://www.aace-seattle.org/. Read complete report in English
 Project Management News from Turkey By Ahmet Taspinar IPYD News IPYD stands for Istanbul Project Management Association in Turkish. This organization was founded in 1997 by leading executives, academicians and practitioners of project management in Turkey. In the ten years of its existence IPYD grew from 40 to 400 members, and was a leading influence in improving project management practices in Turkey. In addition to six Specific Interest Groups, including the more active IT, RISK MANAGEMENT and REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS groups, IPYD has been hosting the Turkish national Project Management Congress / Symposium since 1998. IPYD held 2 SIG meetings and an open house for all members in December 2007. Activities scheduled for January 2008 include Saturday Seminars to be held by the IT, RISK MANAGEMENT and REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS SIGs, plus a meeting of the board. Read complete report in English
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