RTA releases findings, recommendations of 3rd Dubai International PM Forum

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has revealed the findings and recommendations of the 3rd edition of the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) 2016 held under the theme: ‘Shaping the Future.’ The event took place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, opened the event.

Laila Faridoon, Executive Director of the Office of the Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA and Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the DIPMF, said, "The 3rd DIPMF included 37 sessions comprising 5 keynote speeches, 4 discussion panels, 21 concurrent sessions, and 6 workshops. These figures reflect a 12 percent rise compared with the second edition of 2015. The latest round of the Forum featured the attendance of 5 keynote speakers and more than 1400 persons hailing from 36 countries; a 29 percent rise over similar figures recorded in 2015 renewal."

The success of the 3rd DIPMF was highlighted by an intense lineup of keynote speakers from all over the globe, who are closely connected with the business sector, as well as quality discussion panels and lectures. This success is reflected in a host of key findings and recommendations that would enrich the concept of project management in the UAE and further afield. Recommendations were focused on eight key aspects namely: future strategies, future of benefits management, flexible future thinking, future leaders, future of teams & talents management, learning & innovation, green, happy and smart future, and the future public-private partnership.

"The first aspect stressed that organisations have to enhance the role of corporate project management to assist in streamlining human resources, investments and programs to realize their strategic objectives. It also called for aligning the business process to serve strategies mapped out. Project Managers have to recognise and perceive the strategic value of the project before undertaking it in addition to its operational requirements after completion. As such, their role is no restricted to handing over deliverables only," noted Faridoon.

The Future of Benefits Management’ theme guarantees measuring time, cost and scope of work to follow up project development, and that strategic objectives indicators of project portfolio, benefits, added value and risks, which have become effective measures at the present and of more importance than traditional standards in place. The ‘Flexible Future Thinking’ theme stipulates that institutions must enjoy flexibility since it leads to a clearer futuristic vision, more production, better ability to manage change and faster adaptation to this change. The project teams must be empowered and entrusted to accomplish their tasks, besides being entitled to choose and change the tools, criteria and plans in place, and follow up projects along with progress reports," added Faridoon.

‘The Future Leaders’ theme explains that the leader must establish mutual trust with each member of his/her team along with other stakeholders. One of the worst mistakes of leaders is to be isolated from those around them. ‘The Future of Teams and Talents Management’ theme described trust as the mainstay of teamwork. It noted that success of flexible management would always depend on the ability of CEOs to repose more trust in project managers. Therefore, future skills must be different from those of today so that we can overcome the anticipated challenges, which will be more complex. The ‘Learning and Innovation’ theme proves that the more we explore the past, the more we can shape a clear future. The lessons learned and interim revisions would depict the progress envisaged. Learning opportunities are considered one of the most important factors that trigger employees’ interaction and engagement. Institutions need to develop a culture of scientific research and promote partnerships with the academic sector in pursuit of innovation," continued Faridoon.

"The Green, Happy and Smart Future" theme anticipates that the UAE will be a global hub for sustainability in the economy, energy and technology with the help of sustainable project management. The smart city projects should adopt flexible management techniques as well as relevant thinking methods to bring happiness to the parties concerned. ‘The Public-Private Partnership’ (PPP) theme highlighted the importance of forming a work team in PPP projects at the beginning and during the planning phase, aided by a number of advisers who offer guidance in legal, financial and contractual and operational matters when needed," she noted.

"These recommendations and findings have been realised thanks to the international attention accorded to DIPMF, which attracted an elite panel of representatives from the business sector all over the world. RTA is striving to study and apply these recommendations to enhance the concept of project management in Dubai emirate that has become a key regional and international player in strategic projects, which will be crucial to the 4th edition of the Forum in 2017,''she concluded.