Wednesday, February 24, 2016

4D Business Consulting 4DBC case to review: Project Management Training Approach in Middle East





  
Project Management Training Approach in Middle East





Abstract

Improving project management training in Middle East is the most essential part in the near future. This white paper (study) demonstrates the approach of project management training in Middle East and a short definition for the role of project management training. The paper supported with real numbers and suggested methodology to improve project management training.  



Introduction

Project Management Professional certificate (from Project Management Institute or accredited consulting firms), Prince2, Primavera and Online training courses are increasingly popular but they miss the human dimension of project management and should be considered only as a complement.
Modern project management training methodology moves beyond the classroom environment of set guidelines and promotes a climate of adaptability and the crucial habit of applying the lessons learnt from past experience, comparing with traditional Project management training revolved around the benefits of a set framework of principles and  best practices that are a part of effective project management In either form, but moving again to modern theory in teaching project management we conclude that the value of such training cannot be underestimated, as investments in project training make measurable improvements to an organization’s bottom line.

  
Define a Role with Project Management Training


“There are many reasons projects fail, but at the root of most failures is resources not knowing what their roles are, or lack of education about how to fulfill their roles.”, Rick Cusolito Says, Project management training expert at Boston University.
Many people who are planning to go for PMP Certification in Middle East for instance; they have no idea that PMP examination requires experience in real life as PM first.
One of the first things to keep in mind when preparing to take the PMP exam is that knowing everything is not possible. The second fact is that you cannot pass the PMP exam if you only study the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
There is a middle ground in which proper study plus real-life experience equal the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques necessary to pass the exam. The PMP certification exam is based on an ideal project organization. I would say using this phrase as starting point for preparation then everything else will make sense.
Improving Project Management training in Middle East require flexibility in dealing with candidates, the following points explain in my opinion the way to make Project Management training in Middle East more essential to attract candidates:


  • Providing real-world Project Managers with skills to design and provides the valuable expertise for candidates to help them do their job through PM training.
  • Industry leaders to teach and implement every project management training class/material, this will guide us to guarantee expert instruction and quality curriculum.
  • Expand online and instructor-led project management courses, with day and evening availability — this will fit the candidates classes needed into their busy schedule.







Figure (1) Basic 3 points to improve PM training in Middle East

Customizing Project Management online courses in Middle East will lead us to learn more about companies who are interesting in Project Management courses through cooperating with the company project management requirements by training project managers on the company’s terms and focusing on the skill sets as the most crucial to their bottom line.




Facts and Numbers

Technical skills, based on global project management measuring are no longer enough. Project managers need strong business and leadership skills, the ability to speak at the executive level and communicate project status, how projects are aligned to the goals of the organization, and the ability to assist in determining which projects should be part of the project portfolio.

The most common facts seen in Middle East project managers who are holding PMP certification for instant, that they do depending on their technical skills more than leadership and business skills. In fact this will drive us that in the near future, hiring project managers with a PMP certificate will become no longer sufficient, nor a guarantee that the project manager hired is capable of moving the organization forward.







On the other hand, sharing knowledge in Middle East between project managers community is almost the missing part. It's no fun to solve a tricky problem only to discover that another division already solved it last month. Best practices companies go beyond innovating and improving practices. They also share them so all can benefit from learning.

 I would suggest regarding this matter that sharing expertise in Middle East between project managers and especially PMP holders (for instant) will guide us to manipulate the existing project management classes to reach further improvements within future PMP holders.

Globally, project managers as a professional activity listed in third position based on salary average world wide. The following table demonstrates the average salary for professional activity.






Professional Activity
Average Salary
US$ PA
Property Asset Management
111,590
Development / Investment / Finance
107,274
Project Management
85,319
General Practice
84,324
Corporate Property Consultancy
77,524
Building Surveying
70,359
Facilities Management
68,811
Valuation
62,642
Quantity Surveyor
57,883

Table (1) Average Salary for Processional Activity











Figure (2) Average Salary for Processional Activity


Conclusion

Provide much skill practice in planning project management courses and programs plus dealing with real project management problems will help this role to be effective by identifying problem solving style through project management workshops. We can probably expect to see a strengthened link between project management programs/ courses along with initiatives and organizational strategy in both the public and private sector. No competitive organization wants to miss this train!


References

1-     The RICS & Macdonald Company, “ASIA Salary and benefits survey 2006”
2-     Gulf project management magazine, September 2007
3-     KPMG, “Global IT project management survey”
4-     Method 123,”Project management guide book”, I.S.B.N 0-473-10455-8


List of Figures and Tables

Figure (1) Basic 3 points to improve PM training in Middle East.
Figure (2) Average Salary for Processional Activity
Table (1) Average Salary for Processional Activity

Dr. Mohamed S. Kayyali
Ceo, 4D Business Consultin
IEEE, BCS Fellow