Written by: 

Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai

President, PMA

India, as one of the high growth economies, is progressing on the path of future sustainable growth, based on various large-scale Government Programmes like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Smart Cities Mission’. In order to realize the success of these Missions, it is of prime importance that proven methods and techniques of Project Management are followed by all stakeholders, to control time and cost overrun and to achieve effective deliveries.

In this socio-economic backdrop, PMA-India organized its Project Managers Global Summit 2017 at New Delhi on 21^st and 22^nd August with widespread participation from the industry, the academia and Government departments. The Summit dwelled on the significance of developing Project Management Competences across all core industries, for them to be able to effectively contribute to the success of the above Programmes.

The Chief Guest of the Summit, Mr. A S Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spoke about various Project Management systems and techniques that were being rigorously followed at ISRO, and how they had contributed to the Success of leading Space Missions. He highlighted the Project Management best practices that have made ISRO a shining example of Project Management Success.

Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister and Mr. Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation, the Guests of Honor, made valuable observations during their Keynote speeches.

Speakers from leading industries in Defence, Aerospace, Petroleum, Power, Engineering, Research and Academia, shared Success Stories, Best practices, Challenges and Lessons learnt by sharing their experiences in leading Complex projects. Streams for keynote speakers included: ‘Project Management Success’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Start-ups’ and ‘Project Management Competence’ and ‘Government Projects’

During the speeches and subsequent discussions, some key observations emerged:

• Core Projects across various sectors are reporting significant time overruns, cost overruns, or both. These delays can impact economic growth. To control the delays it is essential that professionals managing these projects be competent in Project Management techniques and best practices.
• A common standard needs to be established for Project Management competence development, as one of the measures to address time and cost overruns facing core projects today.
• Project Management must be regarded as a separate competence, and the professionals managing Projects must be assessed independently for their competences in Project Management.
• Project Management Capacity building and Assessment is essential to create a talent pool of competence-certified Project Management professionals who can contribute effectively to the success of their Projects.
• This requires active patronizing by the Govt. of India and all industries, by recognizing Project Management certification as a mandatory requirement for all Project-related roles and responsibilities.

Panel Discussion on ‘The Next Dimension to Project Management’

Objective of the Panel discussion was to evolve a policy framework and action plan for implementing an Assessment and Certification of all Project Professionals. The following conclusions emerged:

• In the context of various core projects reporting time and cost overruns, there is a need to impress upon Government departments to recognize Project Management as a separate competence, that needs to be addressed, assessed and developed independently.
• IPMA 4 Level Certification be recognized by the Government departments, for assessment of Project Management Competences among Project Professionals at all levels, as one of the measures to address the issue of cost and time overruns associated with various core Projects, and bring down losses.
• There is a need to interface with core industries and Govt. Depts., for a larger understanding of the goals and success parameters of the ‘Smart Cities Mission’, and to emphasize the role of Project Management Competence development, in the success of the Mission.
• Significance of Transition to ICB 4.
• Revitalizing and growing PMA India’s Chapter Network.
• Events on Project Management to be conducted in various cities.
• The need to grow Young Crew Membership.

PMA Project Awards

The PMA Awards Ceremony, conducted during the latter half of the Inaugural Function, comprised 3 Categories of Awards, namely:

• The Organisational Excellence Award,
• The National Project Excellence Awards,
• The Project Leader of the Year Awards.

Projects and Project Leaders, who were adjudged from the applications received from the industry by PMA committee, were personally handed over their awards and certificates, by the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honor. Successful projects and project leaders represented key sectors like Construction, Power, Aerospace, Petroleum and Research.

PMA Honorary Fellowships were conferred on the following 4 Distinguished stalwarts who have made valuable contributions towards the success of flagship Projects and Missions in their respective industries/sectors:

• A S Kiran Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems
• Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Limited
• J D Patil, Wholetime-Director & Sr. Executive Vice President (Defence Business) Larsen & Toubro