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Some Advice for Developing Project Managers

Posted by Dr. Al Zeitoun

In his role as president, Al Zeitoun, PhD, PMP is responsible for leading the strategic direction and performance of the PM Solutions consulting division, PM College training division, and the research division (PM Solutions Research). With a wealth of strategy execution, global project and portfolio management experiences, Dr. Zeitoun joins PM Solutions from his role most recently as the Corporate PMO Executive Director for Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he was responsible for creating the structure and discipline necessary for delivering one of the largest projects in the Middle East. Previously, with the International Institute of Learning, Inc. (IIL), he was a Senior Executive and also held the position of Chief Projects Officer. He was instrumental in driving thought leadership and project management methodology execution across organizations worldwide. Dr. Zeitoun directly contributed to IIL’s successful global business growth. He ensured quality portfolio and project management service delivery exceeding global C-suites’ expectations. Dr. Zeitoun holds Ph.D., MSc, and BSc degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from the USA and Egypt; in addition, he received a diploma in Project Management from the University of Bremen, Germany. He is a certified PMP and currently serves on the PMI Board of Directors, where he has previously chaired the Board nominating committee and volunteer appointment committee

As I mentioned in my Strategy & Projects blog post, the Dubai International Project Management Forum, where I will be speaking in October, asked me a number of interesting questions about project management. Some of them get to the source of talent development and management, whether you are a training manager or an aspiring project manager, so I am sharing them here.

1. What advice would you give to young people who want to have a career in this field?

I would recommend that young people see the value and attractiveness of the learning associated with project management with the different assignments, the opportunity to work across global teams, and the chance of seeing direct impact of the project work.  They should focus on dynamic learning and on ensuring that they get exposed to different types of industries, or at least to different units and functions within their organizations.  Building their emotional intelligence will be key differentiator for their success in this field.

2. How can a project manager raise his/her profile within an organisation?

By contributing to strategic value! The project manager must understand the linkage between the projects and the organizational strategic objectives.  Achieving proper alignment between the project and the anticipated benefits gets the project manager the proper positioning for the role and will raise the profile.

3..How are global sustainable development and environmental goals impacting the role of the project manager?

The globe is highly connected and the constraints and demands of development and associated environmental goals make it a must for project managers to direct their full attention to achieving balance between outcomes and benefits.  Careful attention to effectiveness of project work and how results could be sustained will require a delicate sensitivity to incorporating as many view points in the pursuit of the right projects and thus the project manager’s role will be more of a leader and of a politician, seeking harmony, while increasing resources efficiency.

4. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges of working in multi-cultural project teams?

Opportunities outweigh challenges in multi-cultural project teams if this diversity is well understood.  By having the right leadership and openness of the minds, these kinds of teams could become a learning ground for unique experiences that have the potential for valuable best practices.

5. Can project managers be entrepreneurial?

Absolutely.  The art of success in entrepreneurship hinges around innovating the approach to it to create lasting value proposition.  Projects are the vehicle for that and project managers are the prime individuals to excel in being those types of leaders.  The ability to engage stakeholders, to have political sense, and to move mountains toward achieving milestones and accomplishing deliverables, are attributes of project managers well as entrepreneurs.

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