Project Management News from Brazil
By Peter Mello, PMP
Introduction
As my first monthly report, I hope you bare with me if it is not up to your expectation. One interesting thing about working as an International Correspondent is that I actually make more time in my agenda to read the news, so even when I cannot get the community interesting things, I am catching up with the real world! Thank you PMForum & PM World Today for such interesting opportunity.
PM Profession News
Project Management is getting more public attention these past months than ever in Brazil. The other day, I found out that PM is also becoming a profession or specialization for government employees. The State of Espirito Santo, as an example, has a State Secretary for Project Management. I have recently contacted that office to understand what they are doing and I will soon be posting news about it.
PM Education News
Classroom training is also booming. Recently in a discussion list I was told that there are over 80 extension courses and MBAs in Project Management at the market. We could count in a single hand the number of options we had in 2003 or 2004. As a PMI R.E.P., my company alone has tripled the number of students for practical courses and PMP Certification in the past 12 months.
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Peter Mello, SpS, PMP
International Correspondent - Brazil
Based in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State
Peter Berndt de Souza Mello, SpS, PMP is an International Correspondent for PMForum and PM World Today in Brazil. Peter has over 13 years experience on a variety of projects in South America. His PM experience includes major IT projects, Telecom, Oil & Gas. Peter Mello is an educator, researcher and consultant in Scheduling optimization, Portfolio and Risk Management. Peter actively participates in the Brazilian and International PM community, with recent papers presented at various PMI events in Brazil and elsewhere. He is on the board of directors of X25 Training and Consulting and Spider Management Technologies Brazil. Additional information about Mr. Mello can be found at http://www.pmforum.org/pm%20forum%20team/index#Mello.htm. Peter can be contacted at peter.mello@gestaoeprojetos.com.
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Project Management Research
the Norwegian Way
By Erling S. Andersen
Norway is a rather small country when it comes to project management research. How can a small community make the best use of its research resources? It is not uncommon for university or research people to promote their own interests and compete with others for the research grants being available.
In Norway there are two significant research groups within project management: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is the leading technological project management research community and Norway’s largest business school Norwegian School of Management BI is in front on research on organizational and administrative project matters. Back in 2000 the two parties decided to join forces and establish a common center for project management research. SINTEF, the largest independent research group in Scandinavia, was also invited in as a founding member. Together they established the Norwegian Center of Project Management (the Norwegian abbreviation is NSP). The Center has invited in as members companies from industry and public sector organizations. Today there are about 25 members of the Center, who are sponsoring it with a yearly fee.
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Erling S. Andersen
Professor of Project Management
BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo
Erling S. Andersen is professor of Project Management and Information Systems at BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo, Norway. He holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Oslo. Before joining BI NSM he was Associate professor in economics at the University of Oslo and Dean of NKI College of Computer Science and Professor of Information Science at the University of Bergen. He has been a visiting professor to the University of Tokyo, Japan and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Professor Andersen has published several books and articles on information technology, systems development, project management and management in general. His book "Goal Directed Project Management" has been translated into several languages. His latest book is “Rethinking Project Management – An Organizational Perspective” published by Pearson Education in May 2008. Professor Andersen is also and International Editorial Advisor to PMForum and PM World Today. He can be contacted at erling.s.andersen@bi.no.
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Project Management
in Spain Monthly Report
Reported by Alfonso Bucero, PMP
Expo Zaragoza 2008: An Integration Example
Eptisa is the project management head of this architectonic complex that surprises everybody for its versatil and sustainable development model, and that supports a modern event that opens Zaragoza to the world.
From June 14th to September 14th 2008 this Congress is being run at Zaragoza city, the First International Exhibition according the new model recognized by the “Bureau Internacional des Expositions”. Expo Zaragoza is being run as the motto “Water and Sustainable Development”.
The Congress location is placed at Ranillas meander, placed at Zaragoza west side and rounded by the Ebro river course. This meander is organized by two areas: the Expo area and the Water Park (green space free of charge with restaurants area, leisure area and the Central Office of the Water Deacade 2005-2015).
The general subject of this exhibition is developed by three sub-subjects to facilitate its interpretation and to position all the represented countries at the Exhibition: “The water, unique resource”, “Water for life” and “The landscapes of water”. Another subject will deal with the things that affect the whole planet: “The water, as an element of relationship between people”.
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Alfonso Bucero
PM World Today Correspondent
Mr. Alfonso Bucero, PMP, is an International Correspondent for PMForum.org in Madrid, Spain. Mr. Bucero is also founder and Managing Partner of BUCERO PM Consulting. He previously managed the office in Spain for the International Institute for Learning (IIL) for two years, and was a Senior Project Manager at Hewlett-Packard Spain (Madrid Office) for thirteen years. Alfonso is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI®), of the ALI (Asociación de Licenciados, Ingenieros y Doctores en Informática), and of the Spanish Project Management Association, AEIPRO (afíliate member asociación of the International Project Management Association, IPMA). Alfonso was the founder, sponsor and President of the PMI Barcelona, Spain Chapter until April 2005, and he is an IPMA Assessor. He belongs to the LIAG (Leadership Institute Advisory Group) of PMI. Alfonso has a Computer Science Engineering degree from Universidad Politécnica in Madrid, and is now studying for his Ph.D. in “Project Management”. He has 28 years of practical experience and has managed and consulted on projects in different countries throughout Europe. Mr. Bucero can be contacted at alfonso.bucero@abucero.com.
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UK Project Management
Round Up
By Miles Shepherd
Terminal 5 Experiences
After all the terrible news about Heathrow’s Terminal 5, I approached a trip though this hall of horrors with some trepidation. The route to the new state of the art Terminal was a breeze, straight off the motorway and into excellent parking and then an easy level walk into the main hall. The e-check-in booths were plentiful and the bag drops had no queues so I barely broke pace walking through to the equally available security control before going airside. So far so good!
Once airside, the real improvements over Heathrow’s other terminals become apparent. The place is vast, uncluttered and a shopper’s paradise with many up market outlets making it seem more like a mall than an airport terminal. There is plenty of seating and the lack of crowding is a real change after the crush of so many airports. The gate layout is a little confusing but the signage is excellent so I found my way with little difficulty.
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Miles Shepherd
PM World Today International Correspondent
Based in London, UK
Mr. Miles Shepherd is an International Correspondent for www.pmforum.org based near London, England, UK. Miles has over 30 years experience on a variety of projects in UK, Eastern Europe and Russia. His PM experience includes defence, major IT projects, decommissioning of nuclear reactors, rail and business projects for the EU. Past Chairman of the Association for Project Management (APM), Miles is also past president and chair of the International Project Management Association (IPMA). Additional information about Mr. Shepherd can be found at http://www.pmforum.org/pm forum team. Miles Shepherd can be reached at miles.shepherd@msp-ltd.co.uk.
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Celtic Tiger in poor shape
By Ed Naughton
Ireland will experience a recession for the first time since 1983. A contraction in the economy in 2008, with both GNP and GDP falling by 0.4 per cent in real terms is forecast by the domestic ESRI (Economic & Social Research Institute).
Consumption is expected to grow by just 1 per cent this year and by 2 per cent next year. A decline in investment of almost 15 per cent in 2008 and of 4.5 per cent in 2009 is anticipated. Exports are expected to grow by 4.8 per cent in 2008, well down on the 2007 preliminary growth figure of 8.2 per cent.
The downward revisions to the export forecasts are partly related to a downward revision in forecasts for many of the world’s major economies. For example, it is now expected that the US will experience a technical recession this year, meaning two quarters of negative growth. The factors underlying this subdued performance include the credit crunch and high inflation as a result of increasing commodity prices.
The dramatic slowdown in the economy will have many implications including a greater demand for talented project managers to deliver key results in turbulent and demanding times. Job losses are expected to be a feature of the economy in 2008 and it is anticipated that the rate of unemployment will rise to over 7 per cent by the end of 2008.
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Ed Naughton
PM World Today International Correspondent
Ed Naughton, BE, C. Eng., F.I.E.I, IPMA-a, PMP, is an International Correspondent for PMForum, Inc. in Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Naughton isalso the founder and current Director General of the Institute of Project Management of Ireland, the leading authority on the PM profession in Ireland. Ed is a former Vice President of the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and is currently the Co-chair of IPMA’s “Nation to Nation” Project Management Forum. Ed has researched, published and presented many articles and papers on project management and is the author of the Irish Project Management Competence Baseline. During his thirty year career, Ed has worked as a project manager and/or project management consultant on a large variety of high profile domestic and international assignments. Ed Naughton is a graduate of University College Dublin (BE,civil), a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland, a Chartered Engineer (Ireland), a Professional Engineer in Canada, and holds IPMA Level A certification. He is former editor of the quarterly international publication “Project Management Practice”. Ed lives in Dublin and can be contacted at info@projectmanagement.ie. Additional information about Ed Naughton can be seen at http://www.pmforum.org/blogs/news/2007/03/ed-naughton-named-international.html. and at www.projectmanagement.ie
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Project Management News
from Turkey
By Ahmet Taspinar
IPYD News
IPYD, the Istanbul Project Management Association, can report the following activites recently completed or currently underway:
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Transferring the control of association finances to the new board was completed, and a part-time secretariat, with an administrator and offices, was established.
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The board met 3 times in June to complete the operational plan and the budget for the remainder of our term of office.
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The operating procedures for financial controls and for Interest Group Activities were completed and put into immediate effect to provide uniformity, simplification and standardization in operations. Procedures for Member Relations and for Communications via the website are being prepared.
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About the Author:
Ahmet N. Taspinar
International Correspondent Turkey
Based in Istanbul
  
Ahmet N. Taspinar, MBA, PMP, REP is an International Correspondent for PMForum.org for Turkey. Mr. Taspinar holds an MS degree in Civil Engineering from Harvard University and a MBA degree from Northeastern University in the United States. Ahmet has 40 years of experience in petrochemical and energy projects, and in management information systems development. A member of the Project Management Institute (PMI ®) since 1977, Ahmet is a former President of the Northern California PMI Chapter and a founding member of the PMI Istanbul Chapter. Additional information about Ahmet can be found at (http://www.pmforum.org/pm%20forum%20team/index.htm#5).
He can be contacted at mbpnet@hotmail.com
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New From Ethiopia
By Getachew Teklemariam Alemu
SMILE ETHIOPIA
I was in a deep sleep of not reading daily newsletters in the country, listening to radio programmes, and watching television news. Then comes a chance to join PM Forum, which has made me wake up from the deep sleep- a sleep that I have been in for a long time. As the saying goes ''it is never too late". I started to focus on project related activities being talked about in our fair country, and actually have made headlines in the different domestic news letters. Here is a preview of project related activities that I have gone through in the past month. Your comments are welcome on getdem2006@yahoo.com.
A. Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation's Millennium Project Becomes Operational
It was the June 10, 2008 edition of The Ethiopian Herald that reported that ETC's 1.2 million network capacity millennium project gone operational. The project, which has required 769.6 million Birr, has enabled additional 600,000 subscribers to get access to mobile telephone services. Adurahim Ahmed, ETC's corporate communication general manger (pictured), quoted by Herald, has said that" the corporation is currently in expansion work at 17 spots to curb the network congestion that occurred following the launching of the millennium project". It is also found that ETC is undertaking preparations towards implementing a third generation mobile project.
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Getachew Teklemariam Alemu
PM World Today Correspondent
Getachew Teklemariam Alemu is an International Correspondent for PMForum and PM World Today based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr. Alemu is also an Infrastructure Projects Expert in the Development Projects Department of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, government of Ethiopia. Getachew is responsible for monitoring, appraising and reporting on public sector infrastructure projects financed by the Ethiopian government and bilateral/multilateral donor agencies. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection from Mekelle University in Ethiopia. More information about Getachew Teklemariam can be found at http://www.pmforum.org/pm%20forum%20team/index.htm#5. Getachew can be contacted at getdem2006@yahoo.com.
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Project Management News
from Germany
By Manfred Rieck
Introduction
It is midyear 2008, we are celebrating the European Soccer Championship and some areas in Germany are starting already their vacation, which is nice for them and nice for the one’s left home because the autobahn is not blocked. This scenario could become normal when the oil price grows as promised. Aren’t we anymore able to travel re the high costs?
The word ‘virtual collaboration’ is reaching a new dimension. Virtual teams distributed over continents are already usual because skills are not always located where they are needed. Cost efficiency has become one of the strongest business drivers and high skills at lower costs are not usually located in the industrial countries.
Two completely different stories with one person concerned – the project manager. His role as Swiss Army Knife gets additional dimensions as he needs to act international, multi-cultural and virtual with distributed teams. There are several collaboration tools in place to work within this environment but tools won’t substitute the personally interaction in project teams. The project manager needs to establish his leadership role without immediate contact to his team – in addition to his lack of authorization in matrix organizations a further challenge he is faced with. Exchange of experiences on this is offered in several project management events across Germany.
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About the Author:
Manfred Rieck
PM World Today International Correspondent
Based in Frankfurt, Germany
Mr. Manfred Rieck, PMP, is an International Correspondent for www.pmforum.org in Frankfurt, Germany. Mr. Rieck is Manager at IBM Corporation for IT-Business Development and Project Delivery in the finance, automotive and public sectors and holds an IBM Senior Project Manager certification. He was previously Program Manager in IBM’s Project Management Center of Excellence (PM/CoE) responsible for EMEA. Mr. Rieck is specialized on recovering critical complex projects in international environments and on the development and implementation of change management programs.
Manfred has a Master of Science in Computer Science from University Bonn, Germany and is enrolled in the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program at Henley Management College, UK. His research investigates change management studies. He is also a member of the 2007 PMI® Leadership Institute Master Class. After being Vice President of the Frankfurt Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) for several years Manfred is actively engaged in the PMI® Component Mentor Program Mentor Advisory Group (CMP MAG) advising the European Component Mentors in PMI related topics to promote professional project management across Europe. Additional information about Mr. Rieck can be found at http://www.pmforum.org/pm%20forum%20team/index.htm#5.
Manfred Rieck can be contacted at Manfred.Rieck@de.ibm.com.
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Project Management News
from South Africa
By Jaycee Krüger
News from PM Professional Organizations
PMSA (Project Management South Africa) News
As part of the 10th anniversary of PMSA, certificates were awarded at the Gala Dinner as part of PMSA’s Conference on 27 May 2008 to all current members who have been members of PMSA for those 10 years – some sixty odd of them.
More information about PMSA can be found at http://www.pmisa.co.za.
PMI (Project Management Institute) - SA Chapter News
After thorough investigation and an extensive deliberating process, the Board of Directors and Executive Committees of PMSA and PMI SA Chapter have decided to discontinue the trial joint venture agreement around membership, due to mainly the new PMI directive for Chapters to comply with certain criteria to maintain the Chapter Membership Status – the PMF. In terms of the revised agreement members will be required to make a separate payment of fees to the Chapter and PMSA to continue their relevant memberships and associated services.
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Jaycee Krüger
PM World Today Correspondent
Jaycee Krüger, PMP, PrTechEng, is an International Correspondent for PMForum and PM World Today in South Africa. He is also the Managing Director of the CMSS, trading as Construction Management Support Services. He has over 29 years of experience in project environments with increasing responsibility, on power, industrial and mining projects, including shutdowns and projects in remote locations. A Civil Engineer by training, Jaycee is active in the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE), Project Management Institute (PMI), Project Management South Africa (PMSA), and the South African Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE). Jaycee is based in Heidelberg, Gauteng, Johannesburg region, and can be reached at jckruger@greybeards.co.za. For additional information about Jaycee Krüger, visit http://www.pmforum.org/pm%20forum%20team/index.htm#5.
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Board of Director Election Results
at the Project Management Institute – Houston Chapter, Inc.
By Quang Ton, CABM, CISM, PMP
The elections were held in May 2008 for the PMI Houston Chapter (PMIH) positions of VP of Membership, VP of Public Relations, and VP of E-Business.
The PMI Houston Chapter was looking for candidates who can make a difference in the Chapter and help grow the Association in the Houston area.
For informational purposes, you may download the election package (set of documents including candidate biography, commitment and information form) required for the election process at: http://www.pmihouston.org/index.php?mo=do&op=sd&sid=266&type=0
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Quang Ton
PM World Today Correspondent
Quang Ton, CABM, CISM, PMP, is an international correspondent for PMForum based in the Houston metropolitan area of South Texas, USA. He is also the Service Manager for Schlumberger Oilfield Services, the leading oilfield services provider, trusted to deliver superior results and improved E&P performance for oil and gas companies around the world. Through well site operations and in research and engineering facilities, the organization is working to develop products, services and solutions that optimize customer performance in a safe and environmentally sound manner. He has been working on global projects and program to secure information and offer physically security solutions, implementation and integration for the enterprise of 70,000+ employees located world-wide, his main focuses are in service quality, business processes and operational excellence. He holds a Masters degree in Computer Engineering from the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC) in France as well as a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from the Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Créteil (IUT) in France and he has also acquired several credentials such as Certified Associate Business Manager (CABM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Foundation Level in Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Quang has been active in leadership positions with the Project Management Institute (PMI®) (VP Communications) and Schlumberger Limited (Eureka SIG Leader in Process Management). Quang lives in Houston, Texas, USA and can be contacted at pmi.qton@yahoo.com.
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Project Management
in Australia
By Brenda Treasure
Melbourne, Australia PMI Chapter Event, Tuesday June 24
Diana Brown, GoGirl-Go for IT Committee
GoGirl-Go for IT
The last years of secondary school are important for thinking about what careers students can consider. However the declining number of females studying business/IT or IT at a tertiary level indicates that too many girls just aren't aware of the opportunities a career in IT can bring - or the important skills they have to bring to this industry and their potential to expand their careers into project management.
PMI Melbourne was proud to host a presentation and panel discussion from members of the Victorian ICT for Women network who described the objectives of GoGirl-Go for IT, its focus and the intended target community audience. A facilitator moderated the discussion with a question and answer session with the audience. The program is supported by the Victorian Govenment and has commenced rolling out the program to secondary schoole across the state of Victoria.
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Brenda Treasure
PM World Today Correspondent
Brenda Treasure, PMP, is an International Correspondent for PMForum and PM World Today in Melbourne, Australia. Brenda is also Director & Professional Services Manager for BSE Services Pty Ltd, currently serving as a Senior Project Manager for Telstra Corporation on a National IT Transformation Project. Brendahas over 15 years of Project Management experience in private organisations, government agencies and in the IT & Telecommunications arena. She has previously served as Senior Project Manager for Ericsson Australia; Business Services Manager for Toll Logistics; Technology Implementation Manager for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne; and IT project manager or technical lead for several other major companies. Very active within the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Brenda has been Professional Development Director & President of the PMI Melbourne Chapter and Communications Director for PMI’s Women in Project Management Specific Interest Group (WiPM SIG). She is currently Asia/Pacific Representative for PMI’s Component Services Member Advisory Group and on the Core Team of PMI’s 2nd Edition of the Program Standard. A graduate of PMI’s Leadership Institute Masters Class, Brenda also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Canberra and is certified by PMI as a Project Management Professional (PMP®). Brendacan be contacted at brenda.treasure@bheservices.com.au.
PMI® and PMP® are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute.
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Current Events Affecting Projects & Project Management in Nigeria
By O. Chima Okereke, PhD
Power Sector Remains Priority to Meet National Government’s 2020 Vision
When President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua received the report of the Power Sector Reform Committee led by Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, the Honorary Adviser to the President on Energy and Strategic Affairs on Tuesday, June 24, he emphasized that an efficient electricity supply system is the cornerstone to the achievement of the 2020 vision of his administration. By this vision, Nigeria is to be so economically developed that by the year 2020, it should be one of the twenty most advanced countries in the world.
Power experts suggest that about 70 percent of the country’s power requirements will be based on gas powered generators. Therefore, reliable gas supply and safe access to the Niger Delta, where the gas is produced, are crucial to the development of our power generation. The country has gas deposits that could sustain power generation for over 150 years.
Dr. Lukman described adequate gas supply as the single most important element to meeting the country’s electricity supply needs. According to him, the second most important requirement is maintenance of power supply equipment. His committee noted that most of the equipment are ageing and are in a state of disrepair. He therefore recommends immediate rehabilitation and repairs of existing generation capacities so that they will operate optimally. He submits that this should be the first major activity requiring investment of substantial sum of money as a short-term solution.
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O. Chima Okereke, PhD
PM World Today Correspondent
Dr. O. Chima Okereke, Ph.D. is an International Correspondent for www.pmforum.org in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Dr. Okereke is also Managing Director of Total Technology Consultants, Ltd., based in the UK. A registered engineer in Nigeria, Dr. Okereke has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and a Ph.D. and MBA from the University of Bradford. Chima is also sponsor and president of the potential chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) in Port Harcourt.
Additional information about Dr. Okereke can be found at http://www.pmforum.org/pm%20forum%20team/index.htm#5.
Chima can be contacted at OkerekeOC@aol.com.
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