The current global slowdown is an ideal time for organisations to take stock and reinforce their project delivery capability for challenges of the future, according to a leading industry instructor.

'Over the past decade the region has emerged as one of the most fertile mega-project areas in the world with the resources and will to build ever more ambitious cities,' said Ashraf Elkhodary, a senior instructor with ESI International, a leader in innovative project management.

'Previously, project management culture and capability struggled to keep up with the hectic pace of progress and development, often resulting in fragmented and dysfunctional project management functions,' Elkhodary added.

'Now, with the current slowdown, is an ideal time for organisations to take stock and build truly world class project delivery capability ready for the challenges of the future,” he continued.

“For, in spite of the impact of the economic environment, there still remains a wide array of projects in the region. But many will undoubtedly face new challenges. The best way to prepare to meet those challenges will be to expect the unexpected.”

'Developing the potential of the Gulf’s young project management workforce will also become more important with the shift in the economic environment,” he said.

“The companies that will stand above their competitors will be those that train and develop their people to the highest level.”

Elkhodary will be conducting free two-hour project management success kit breakfast seminars on project management in the financial crisis in Qatar and Kuwait on March 22 and 24 respectively.

'In the seminars we will be focusing on the tools required for an integrated project management approach and providing participants with the framework for success in organisational project management,” Elkhodary added. – TradeArabia News Service