Free breakfast seminars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to show managers and business leaders how to implement global best practices in project and program management

Dubai, 13 February 2008: Strong risk management processes can substantially reduce costly problems arising on the multi-billion dollar major projects taking place across the Middle East, according to an industry expert.

With rising costs and ever-tighter budgets, good risk management processes are essential for project managers to cut down on the unexpected surprises which could put projects at risk. Programme managers are also generally responsible for managing large, multiple project initiatives within a single customer site that carry a high risk factor.

ESI International, a market leader in the provision of program management training, will be holding free breakfast seminars this month in Dubai and Abu Dhabi designed to address strategic business aims and provide the tools required for programme managers to develop additional business skills. 

Leading the seminars will be Raed S. Haddad, ESI Senior Vice President of Client Programmes. "Some organizations manage risk better than others," he said.  "Project after project results show that risk management is crucial for successful outcomes. How do organizations accomplish this?  We will be examining what are the best practices in risk management that are needed to be successful in today's changing environment. "

The thought-provoking presentation in Dubai on "Leveraging Best Practices in Risk Management for Strategic Project Outcomes" will take place on 27 February 2008, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The presentation will discuss the risk management process and identify how organizations are putting it into practice to maximize project success.  Based on their work with global clients and formal research, Haddad and fellow presenter Akram Alnajjar will outline the lessons learned, and tools used, in risk identification, qualification, quantification, mitigation and control.

Alnajjar has more than 23 years experience in project management and extensive experience in the oil and gas as well as construction industries throughout the Middle East.

With interest in the programme management profession at an all-time high, advanced project managers are also seeking to demonstrate their expertise in managing multiple projects that tie back to overall strategic objectives. "Leveraging Programme Management for Strategic Impact" will be the subject of the free breakfast seminar in Abu Dhabi to be presented by ESI International's Haddad at the Hilton Hotel on 25th February 2008.

"We will be examining how change is influencing organisations to focus on developing their talent--especially programme managers," Haddad said. "Based on observations with global clients and formal research, we will look at the framework which highlights human capital--a paradigm shift for many organisations in the region, having historically focused on financial capital."

In addition, Haddad will present the top habits of highly effective programme managers. 

For more information, please visit www.esi-intl.ae

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Notes to editors
The breakfast seminars are part of a series of educational courses run by ESI International that have been created for project managers and people involved in project work who seek a foundation in project management methodology and best practices. ESI covers a whole range of project management issues, such as planning and scope, risk management, scheduling, leadership and more.

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© Press Release 2008