Editor’s note: This paper was originally presented at the 22nd IPMA World Congress on Project Management, “Project Management to Run”, during 9-11 November 2008 in Roma, Italy (http://www.ipmaroma2008.it/).  This paper is included here with the consent of the author and permission of the International Project Management Association (IPMA), who is the copyright holder of the conference proceedings. All conditions and disclaimers of the copyright holders pertain.

Abstract

Between 1996 and 2004 Greece faced major challenges and had been found at the crossroads. This paper analyzes how Projects & Programme Management Methodologies and Tools can be applied at Council of Ministers level, improving institutional and administrative capabilities. For the above scope a “Strategic” Project Management Office had been established and a “Strategic Project Management System” had been created and utilized. Data of approx. 54.000 Public Contracts had been collected from 7.500 public offices. Credible and timely reports, based on reliable data had been produced for the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers as well for a large number of Public Organizations. Transparency and efficiency in planning and execution of public contracts had been increased. The whole effort succeeded because of the personal commitment of the Prime Minister. Continuity will be guarantied only when a “Strategic” Project Management Office will be permanently established at Council of Ministers level. 

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About the Author Panayotis Agrapidis Panayotis Agrapidis is a senior program and project management consultant based in Greece.  Since 2004 he has been involved with creating and supporting Portfolio, Program and Project Management Systems for various types of organizations, including Municipalities (Athens, Psychiko, Ano Liosia, Neo Psychiko), Private Companies (Intrakom Telecom, Elliniki Technodomiki), Public Companies (Greek Power Company, Greek Petroleum Company) and the Ministry of Public Health.  During 1996 – 2004, he supported the Prime Minister’s Office in Athens, creating and operating a “Strategic Projects Management System”; involving all ministries, regional governments and public companies; collecting and elaborating data from 7.500 public offices; coordinating at government level 54.000 different projects, with a total budget of €47,87 billion; improving the efficiency in the utilization of Public and European Union funds; and supporting the organization of the Olympic Games.  In 1987, Panayotis joined Impregilo SpA, the largest Italian Civil Engineering Contractor, during the execution of construction projects like Second Bosporus Bridge & Kinaly – Sakarya Highway (1 billion USD – Istanbul Turkey), Kouris Dam (Cyprus), Beira Port (Mozambique) and New Esna Barrage and Hydroelectric Project (Nile – Egypt). He also gained experience in the Petrochemical field with Snamprogetti SpA in their Milan headquarters (1991 – 1993), during the execution of the Arak Petrochemical Complex Project (2,5 billion USD, Engineering & Construction Project – Iran). In 1991 as Project Controls Manager, he was responsible for the Project Schedule and the coordination of the activities of the Bu-Attifel LNG Project. This was company’s first ISO 9000 certified project. During the same period he participated in the design and implementation of the Company’s Project Management Systems and Procedures, used for coordination and management of all of the company’s projects.  In 1995 he implemented the Project Management Office (PMO) of Asprofos Engineering SA and was responsible for Project Controls on Natural Gas Projects and the Aspropyrgos Refinery Revamping Projects.  Panayotis was coordinator of the National Standards Institute (ΕΛΟΤ) team EOE2 for the creation of Greek National Project Management Standards, and participated in PMI’s Standards Program for the preparation of the “The Standard for Portfolio Management—Second Edition”.  He has a MSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Catania, Italy (1985) and a Diploma in Scientific Studies from the Italian School of Athens (1978).  He is a certified Civil Engineer & a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Greek Association of Civil Engineers, and the Project Management Institute.  Email: fiap@ath.forthnet.gr.

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