Mega projects cement UAE's global lead

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With proper planning and implementation of mega projects, the UAE has cemented its leading global position, an official has said.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), spoke at the fifth Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) on Monday, highlighting the country's determination in ensuring the success of its iconic global projects, including Expo 2020.

"The UAE has allocated teams and huge resources for constructing projects related to the hosting of this huge international event. The budget set for roads and transportation projects is in the order of Dh15 billion," he said.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, the DIPMF gathered key executives of the government and private entities to discuss project management and delve into global issues related to it.

"Countries today are seeking sustained stability and growth that can be achieved only through proper planning and implementation, which are the key pillars of project management structures," said Al Tayer. The UAE, he said, is no stranger to "thoughtful planning" as this was the method through which the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had built the country.

"Sheikh Zayed had set a role model in building nations on solid pillars. ... His vision was supported by thoughtful planning that paved the way for declaring the UAE federation." Building on the legacy set forth by the founding father, the present leadership is "committed to developing strategies to keep pace with global advancement and trends", Al Tayer said.

"Such strategies have to be capable of tackling challenges, such as climate change; political and economic changes; and Fourth Industrial Revolution issues."

Simple projects work best, says Expert

Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of futurethink, talked about simplicity in implementing project management strategies during the Dubai International Project Management Forum on Monday.

"The formula that any entity can benefit from improved competitiveness has three elements: simplicity, flexibility and focus. Complications will hamper the growth of the entity as well as the innovation drive," she said.

Bodell said simplicity is the perfect solution for success as it drives the focus on innovative transformation. For her, innovation has nothing to do with decorations and flashy colours. Rather, it is about people working together on a daily basis to improve the quality of life, but saving time spent for work.

Bodell, for instance, criticised the time spent by companies in conducting meetings. She said: "Isn't it more productive to engage employees in doing feasible work rather spending time in meetings?" She added that it is important for the organisation to set out simpler methodologies to get things done.

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