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17 th Meeting of the Project Management Interest Group (PMIG) held on 9 March 2009 Participant Feedback. Programme. Theme: Essential elements of large scale project implementation Presentations:
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17th Meeting of the Project Management Interest Group (PMIG) held on 9 March 2009 Participant Feedback
Programme Theme: Essential elements of large scale project implementation Presentations: • Communicating the Gautrain: Harnessing the Hurricane – Dr. Barbra Jensen (Communication and Marketing Manger: Gautrain) • The Dukuduku on-site resettlement project – a case study in Public Service project management - Frikkie Brooks (KwaZulu –Natal Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs)
Attendance • 98 confirmations were received • 63 people attended • National government departments and four provinces were received
Learning points (1) • Failure is not a choice, project managers need to be strong and confident • PM is also a leader • Communication is important and not developed enough, should be structured, planned at onset of project • Proper management system needed for project implementation • Keep eyes on objectives
Learning points (2) • Importance of knowing dynamics of project context when planning a project • Importance of involving stakeholders, media management and feedback, building trust, including people that will be impacted by a project • Need to be innovative to influence leadership decisions • Being flexible and willingness to compromise
Learning points (3) • Complexities of projects necessitates thorough preparation, planning and dynamic leadership • PM in public service is a must, it can work, good to know there are dynamic “out of the box” projects in SA that work • How bigger projects face varied challenges, but it’s not beyond reach • Overcome challenges that can hamper the objectives of the project
Learning points (4) • Identification of (potential) risks and to draft a risk management strategy, not to run away from crisis • How culture, environment issues, land laws impact on projects • PM cannot manage projects alone • Application of PM tools in a rural project that include accommodating indigenous knowledge and culture
Suggestions for improvement • Full day sessions • More time/opportunity for discussion and Q&A required • Participants can also be given the opportunity to showcase their projects
Suggestions for future themes • Project and programme management • Using project examples to display part of PM • Skills transfer & capacity development through a project • Day to day dynamics of politically sensitive projects • Establishment of baselines and evaluation of project impact
Suggestions for future themes (2) • Launch of common Programme & Project Management system and approved in government, promotion of TAU PPM Methodologies • Programme management and the National Planning Framework, its influence on methodology • Technical aspects of PM
Suggestions for future themes (3) • How to avoid scope-creep (political and otherwise) • Managing projects in a bureaucratic environment • Managing accounting authorities in fast-tracking completion of projects • Contract management or oversight of project implementation
Suggestions for future themes (4) • Health/HIV/AIDS project and support to Hospice for terminally ill patients • Environmental and spatial dimensions involved in development projects, urban planning and settlement projects • 2010 Stadia – successes and failures, how SA managed FIFA obligations • Integration of PMIG presentations in Govt. communications forums
Suggestions for future themes (5) • Stakeholder management (especially government) • Implementation monitoring, how to deal with project failure • Crisis communication • Systems to monitor & report on RBM • Include speakers from emerging PMO offices that require advice and guidance fro those in matured project management environment
Suggestions for future themes (6) • Establishment and organisational structure of the PMO • Share best practice for various sizes of projects, not only large scale projects • Gender responsive perspectives of managing projects • ESKOM/energy, partnerships with new power suppliers
PMIG Review • A review of TAU is currently under way to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of the TAU Trading Entity and the CBTAF. • An assessment of TAU Communities of Practice, including the PMIG is also conducted as part of the review. • A separate questionnaire was distributed to representatives from government departments (43 respondents)