Project Management Wrapped – 2024 in Numbers

The Middle East Explodes as the Place to be in Project Delivery This year, the Middle East emerged as a global hub for project delivery. With ambitious infrastructure projects and economic diversification initiatives, the region attracted significant investment and talent. This surge in activity has led to increased demand for skilled project managers, particularly in sectors like construction, energy, and technology. Move Over Tech-Bros, As Female Project Leaders Step Up to the Plate 2024 witnessed a notable rise in female leadership within the project management industry. Women are breaking stereotypes and taking on prominent roles, driving innovation and fostering diverse and inclusive work environments. This trend is not only empowering women but also enhancing the overall performance of project teams. Project Management Leads The Charge in Creating a Fairer and More Equitable Society Project management has become a powerful tool for social change. This year, we saw numerous examples of projects aimed at addressing social and environmental challenges. From sustainable infrastructure initiatives to community development programs, project managers are playing a crucial role in creating a more equitable and sustainable future. SDG is the Industry’s ‘Term of the Year’ The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have gained significant traction in the…
The Portfolio Perspective: Navigating Success in Portfolio Management

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just stepping into your first project roles, understanding the nuances of portfolio management can open a window of opportunity for you. And propel your career to new heights of greatness. But let’s start by examining exactly what is Portfolio Management? At its core, portfolio management is the strategic process of overseeing a collection of projects or programs to achieve specific organizational objectives. While project management focuses on executing individual projects and program management coordinates related projects, portfolio management takes a higher-level view, ensuring alignment with business goals, resource optimization, and risk management across the entire portfolio. Read my guide to Portfolio Management and the role of the PMO For further information here is a recommended reading list, to instantly support development of your learning. And guide you through the core competencies needed for portfolio delivery: Distinguishing Portfolio Management from Project and Program Management Project and program management activities may typically operate together and are essentially components of the same project lifecycle. However, Portfolio Management operates at a different level entirely and for its own distinct purposes. Below is a summary of each, note; that despite the varying applications, it is possible for all three to…
Challenging Project Norms Through Implementing Agile

Understanding the distinctions between Agile and traditional approaches is crucial for professionals navigating the complexities of project delivery. In fact any opportunity to grow your knowledge of project applications and methodologies will support your development within the profession. Start by downloading a free Agile Project Methodology FAQ Sheet, to ensure you understand the foundations: So let’s continue our tour through the Agile project delivery methodology. Agile remains a popular approach for project delivery, and as we explained in last week’s article, it is based on a set of twelve basic principles. You can read that article here, if you missed it. And keep reading for an explanation of how the streaming service Spotify used Agile to get ahead of its competition. Old versus New Ways of Doing Things Implementing traditional project management methods over Agile approaches can be a strategic choice based on the nature of the project and organizational requirements. Traditional project management, with its structured and sequential approach, may be preferable in situations where project scope, requirements, and timelines are well-defined and unlikely to undergo significant changes. Industries with strict regulatory compliance or projects with fixed contractual obligations may find traditional methods more suitable for ensuring strict adherence…
Project Management Redefined: PMI Report Shifts Focus to Stakeholder Value

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has released a groundbreaking report that fundamentally reshapes how we define and measure project success. The worlds leading project organisation is signalling the end of the industry solely focusing on meeting deadlines, budgets, and scope, the previous cornerstone of project delivery. Instead this new research emphasizes a broader perspective, placing “stakeholder value and accomplishment of desired outcomes” at the forefront. A Global Conversation on Success This landmark study involved a massive undertaking. Over 10,000 professionals from 141 countries, both within and outside the PMI community, provided valuable insights through surveys and interviews. The result? A a likely ‘paradigm shift’ in the approach to project management. While traditional metrics like schedule, budget, and scope remain important, the PMI now defines successful projects as those that deliver ‘value that justifies the effort and expense’. In other words for a project to be success it must provide a clear and measurable return on investment. Key Takeaways for Project Professionals This new definition presents several implications for how we approach our work: Manage Perceptions: Effectively communicating project value to stakeholders and ensuring alignment on measurable outcomes is crucial. Own Project Success: We must take accountability for the **value** delivered,…
Mastering Project Performance: A Continuous Challenge

The Denver International Airport (DIA) project is a notorious example of a large-scale infrastructure project that was plagued by significant delays and cost overruns. One of the primary reasons for these issues was a lack of accurate data and metrics, leading to poor decision-making and inefficient resource allocation. However DIA is not alone in facing major project delays, the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in the UK, in 2008 was also marred by significant delays and operational issues. In the case of Heathrow T5, problems were largely attributed to a combination of factors, including implementation of a complex and largely untested IT system. Lack of staff training prior to go-live, poor communications and an overambitious timeline. And not confined to earthly projects, we have seen equally project-impairing issues with the recent space mission, Boeing Starliner program, which has faced several significant and high-profile challenges, primarily related to software and hardware issues. Resulting delays, mission failures, program setbacks and significant reputational damage to the Boeing brand. Our question in today’s article is whether either of these projects could have been saved by the implementation of better performance management and data measurements systems. Operating in real-time and supporting improved on-the-ground…
Mastering Program Management Job Interviews

As organizations evolve and projects become increasingly complex, the demand for skilled program managers has surged. If you find yourself gearing up for a program management interview, it’s essential to understand the distinct requirements that set this role apart from a standard project manager’s position. In today’s article, we’ll explore the key considerations when preparing for a program management interview, including decoding the role description, adapting your language, and aligning your experience with the unique demands of program management. Drafting an appealing program management resume is the first challenge that many who are new to the program manager role need to overcome. I have created a simple matrix that can transform your resume, and ensure that your program management credentials shine through. Download it for free here. And let it guide you to taking the first steps to securing the program management role that you aspire to. Use this simple framework for writing your next PM resume. By articulating your program management actions in this simple formula you can turn your daily actions into superhuman, program management, feats of excellence. Verb + Action + Context + Observable Result And by using these ‘Killer’ PM phrases you’ll transition from project to…
Project Closure: The Forgotten Art

Every project starts with a bang, but often ends with a whimper. We’ve all seen it. A project team, energized and focused, launches a new initiative. Months or years later, the final deliverable is shipped, and the team disperses. But does the project truly end there? The Illusion of Closure Often, what we perceive as project closure is merely the completion of a final task or the delivery of a product. While these are significant milestones, they don’t constitute true closure. True closure involves a comprehensive review, a thorough evaluation, and a formal handover process. Ultimately an outcome is achieved, understood and evaluated against its initial objectives. And an owner for that change initiated. Why is Effective Closure Crucial? The Role of the Sponsor The project sponsor plays a critical role in ensuring effective closure. They should: The Challenge of Effective Project Closure While the importance of effective project closure is clear, numerous challenges often hinder its successful implementation. Common Challenges: Overcoming the Challenges To address these challenges and ensure successful project closure, consider the following strategies: A Holistic Approach to Project Closure Effective project closure is not merely a checklist exercise. It requires a holistic approach that considers the…
Anticipate London: A New Era for Property, Safety, and Security Professionals

Anticipate London is set to revolutionize the way industry professionals approach the challenges and opportunities facing the property, safety, and security sectors. This innovative event brings together the renowned Facilities Show, Safety & Health Expo, FIREX, and IFSEC under one roof, offering a comprehensive platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and sourcing cutting-edge solutions. In today’s rapidly changing world, property and people leaders must navigate a complex landscape of evolving regulations, technological advancements, and emerging threats. Anticipate London addresses these challenges head-on, providing valuable insights and practical solutions to help professionals stay ahead of the curve. Key highlights of Anticipate London include: Chris Edwards, Group Director, stated, “Anticipate London isn’t just a new event; it’s a smarter, more connected experience designed for the people shaping the future. We’re bringing together the best of these four established events to create a powerful platform for learning, networking, and business growth.” By uniting these four renowned events, Anticipate London offers a unique opportunity for professionals to gain valuable insights, explore innovative solutions, and connect with industry peers.
The Power of ‘Yet’

Article By Tammy Watchorn, Author of the Change Ninja book series and the 4 Day Ninja Challenge In this thought-provoking piece from international author and best-seller Tammy Watchorn, we consider the power of our language, in setting our project intentions. As project leaders, our teams, and stakeholders look to us to set the trajectory of our projects. Whether we succeed or fail can turn on a dime. But what if that ‘dime’ is our internal voice, and our propensity to always look on the negative or positive side. What if we can codify optimism and simply translate it to a single word… The Power of ‘Yet’ This week I saw a comment from someone who said I can’t get with the word Ninja. And I wanted to say: “You can’t get with the word Ninja yet”. Why did I want to say this? Because the word yet opens up the power of possibilities. We often say no to things because we don’t think they’re for us. It’s a reasonable thing to do because we only have so much time and we do have a sense of what we like and don’t like, what we’re good at and what we’re not….
Master Your Project Management Decision-Making

Today, we’re tackling a crucial aspect which defines the success of any project: Effective Decision-Making The many complexities inherent in project management, introduce significant and numerous hurdles to effective decision-making. That’s why: I want to share with you the 3Cs Framework for decision making. Use it to quickly undertake decision making by systematically assessing the problem, analyzing the critical components and then coming up with a range of potential solutions. Projects, by their nature, involve a multitude of variables that demand careful consideration. The pressure to meet deadlines intensifies the decision-making process, often making choices feel like high-stake bets. Uncertainty in the business environment adds yet another layer of difficulty, as project managers navigate through unpredictable circumstances. Striking a balance between the need for quick decisions and the requirement for thorough analysis is an ongoing challenge. In addition, human factors, like cognitive biases and emotional influences, can impact objectivity. In essence, decision-making in project management involves a delicate equilibrium between analysis and intuition, speed and thoroughness, all within a constantly evolving environment. Navigating these challenges is fundamental to achieving effective decision-making in project management. As project managers, we often find ourselves at crossroads, facing decisions that can shape the course…