Dubai (UAE): The new fully functional Program Management Office (PMO) created to manage IT programs & projects for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), recently conducted a workshop with IBM, for all its IT managers and project managers.
The PMO, was created earlier this year as part of IT Performance Excellence section in the Information Technology department,. RTA's decision to outsource the setting up and running of the PMO has allowed a strong partnership between RTA and IBM. Three IBM staff currently at the project, continue to add value, with two IBM members currently outsourced full time at RTA's PMO.
The scope of the PMO is not only to introduce project management methodologies and successfully manage projects, but also to share knowledge and inspire Project Managers and IT managers through training and mentoring. The workshop was held as an initiative to introduce new concepts and inspire team members. The workshop aimed to introduce the newly approved project management policies and procedures, aligned with PMI to ensure that best practices for project management are adopted. The workshop focused more on the soft skills of project management specially, people management.
Mr. Ahmed Bahrozyan, RTA's Director of Information Technology Department, said, "The workshop showed an active participation which ensured the success of the event. He added "the workshop went extremely well and we all benefited from taking a detailed tour through our PM policies and procedures."
Ms Laila Faridoon, Manager of IT Performance Excellence, said, "To motivate and inspire my team, I wanted to present and discuss the project management policies not only in a formal manner, but also adding an element of creativity, by asking Mr. Abdulla Al Madani, CEO of Customer Support Services and Mr. Ahmed Bahrozyan, to enact a role playing exercise showing the effects of different project management techniques and outcomes for a video shown at the workshop. This video was well received by the attendees, as it showed commitment from upper management and acceptance of the policies.
I try to incorporate creativity in almost all my work, for example for some monthly meetings, I choose a special topic to focus on and I find that this is welcomed." She smiles, "Once I even got a cake with the risk matrix printed on it, to encourage the difficult topic of each manager discussing the risks of his own project."
Ms. Laila added, "Post workshop surveys completed by the attendees showed a remarkable response of 95.6% satisfaction." She added, "The workshop, which boasted a 100% attendance, extended well beyond working hours, displaying the commitment and dedication of the team."
With success stories of this 'PMO with a creative edge', surpassing expectations and reaching the office of the CEO Mr. Mattar, orders were given by Him to introduce the PMO concept to all the departments and agencies within RTA, which is a major milestone achieved for one unit, created to serve only the IT Department.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2006
