How project planning and control functions can move beyond retrospective reporting and restore the active control loop required for forecasting, intervention and accountable delivery.
Read moreWhy project and portfolio reporting must expose failures, exclusions and weak evidence—not only successful survivors—to support credible decisions.
Read moreChange Orders: A Gateway to Construction Fraud and Misconduct Change Orders: A Gateway to Construction Fraud and Misconduct Fraud and misconduct in construction have become a pervasive problem globally, with up to $5 trillion expected to be lost to corruption by 2030. 🚧 Introduction One of the areas where these illicit activities often occur is during the change order process, where individuals on the client side collude with contractors to engage in fraudulent practices. The aim of this article is […]
Read more
Lessons from Success: How Big Things Get Done – ZALBASIREPPM Lessons from Success: How Big Things Get Done Unveiling the patterns of successful mega-projects and the power of focused execution. The Paradox of Success: Learning from Failure First The road to success is often paved with lessons learned from failure. True success, which consistently creates value and benefits, is a rare achievement, as highlighted in the initial part of this review. That’s precisely why the first segment of the book […]
Read moreBook Review: How Big Things Get Done – Learning from History and Data – ZALBASIREPPM Book Review: How Big Things Get Done – Learning from History and Data Understanding the past to pave the way for future project success. The Power of Historical Data in Project Success Understanding history is crucial for achieving success in the future, particularly when accompanied by comprehensive data analysis. This concept is effectively conveyed in the book “How Big Things Get Done” authored by Prof. […]
Read moreDesigning and Implementing Robust Project Control Governance – ZALBASIREPPM Designing and Implementing Robust Project Control Governance A comprehensive, collaborative, and committed approach to project success. The Imperative of Effective Project Control Governance Designing and implementing effective project control practices demands a truly comprehensive, collaborative, and deeply committed approach. It involves engaging all key stakeholders from a project’s inception right through to its successful completion. This strategic commitment isn’t just ideal; it’s crucial for ensuring successful implementation and adeptly navigating the […]
Read moreFlexible Planning in Project Management: Avoiding the Tunnel Effect – ZALBASIREPPM Flexible Planning in Project Management: Avoiding the Tunnel Effect Balancing detailed schedules with adaptability for successful project delivery. The Challenge of Detailed Planning in Early Project Stages From day-to-day work and experience, a crucial lesson learned emerges: the debate around the appropriate level of planning detail, especially in early project development stages. There’s a perspective that highly detailed construction schedules, when a project is still in its nascent stages […]
Read more
Mega-Project Cost Control: The Imperative of Independent Oversight – ZALBASIREPPM Mega-Project Cost Control: The Imperative of Independent Oversight Safeguarding investments and ensuring delivery in the face of pervasive cost and schedule overruns. The Staggering Cost of Mega-Project Overruns Global investment in energy, infrastructure, mining, and real-estate-related projects was estimated at approximately $6 trillion in 2013. By 2030, this figure could surge to $13 trillion, according to McKinsey research published in 2017. The same research paints a stark picture: 98 percent […]
Read moreCombating Corruption in Construction: Strategies for Project Integrity – ZALBASIREPPM Combating Corruption in Construction: Strategies for Project Integrity Addressing a pervasive global challenge to ensure ethical and efficient project delivery. The Persistent Shadow of Corruption in Construction Corruption in the construction industry remains a significant global problem, impacting projects even in highly developed systems. A recent case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California highlights this: from April 2015 through at least December 2019, Bill R. […]
Read moreWinning Bids & Projects: Strategies and Portfolio Analysis – ZALBASIREPPM Winning Bids & Projects: Strategies and Portfolio Analysis A multi-faceted approach to securing new business and optimizing bid decisions. Strategies for Securing New Opportunities Winning more bids and projects requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond simply submitting proposals. It encompasses building a robust portfolio, strategically networking with potential clients, and effectively articulating your unique value proposition. By integrating these elements, organizations can significantly enhance their chances of securing new […]
Read moreContractor Cost Management: Leveraging EVM for Project Profitability – ZALBASIREPPM Contractor Cost Management: Leveraging EVM for Project Profitability Transforming financial oversight from reactive reporting to proactive, real-time control. The Criticality of Cost Management for Contractors For contractors, effective cost management is not merely a best practice; it is paramount to project profitability and business sustainability. Many contractors still grapple with the limitations of traditional methods, relying on sprawling, unsecured Excel sheets, facing delays in site reports, and experiencing significant misalignment […]
Read moreProject Governance: Navigating Success and Mitigating Failure – ZALBASIREPPM Project Governance: Navigating Success and Mitigating Failure Understanding the critical role of governance in project success and accountability. The Indispensable Role of Project Governance While most certified project managers are familiar with the concept of project governance, the understanding of liability and accountability when a project faces challenges or outright fails can vary significantly. For seasoned project managers taking over a new endeavor, a crucial first step is to scrutinize the […]
Read moreمصطلحات إدارة المشاريع: دليل مرئي – ZALBASIREPPM ZALBASIREPPM مصطلحات إدارة المشاريع: دليل مرئي تعرف على المفاهيم الأساسية في إدارة المشاريع بأسلوب جذاب ومبسط. أهم المصطلحات في إدارة المشاريع هيكل تجزئة الأعمال (Work Breakdown Structure – WBS) أو هيكلية تقسيم العمل، ويُسمّى أيضًا مخطط تحليل الأنشطة (Activity Decomposition Chart) أو نمذجة شبكة المشروع (Project Network-Modeling)، وهو الهيكل أو المخطط الذي ينتج من عملية تقسيم نطاق المشروع (Project Scope) بأكمله بيانيًا إلى عناصر عمل ليسهل إدارتها ومراقبتها والتحكم بها. نطاق المشـروع (Project […]
Read moreProject Portfolio Management: Best Practices for Strategic Control and Organizational Maturity – ZALBASIREPPM Project Portfolio Management: Best Practices for Strategic Control and Organizational Maturity Overcoming common pitfalls to achieve true portfolio effectiveness and sustainable growth. The Fallacy of Shared Resources and Its Impact on PPM In today’s dynamic market, many organizations adopt a “shared resources” concept, often mistakenly believing it constitutes effective Project Portfolio Management (PPM). This misconception is a critical fallacy, particularly when shared resources are considered the sole […]
Read moreProject Portfolio Management: Best Practices for Strategic Control and Organizational Maturity – ZALBASIREPPM Project Portfolio Management: Best Practices for Strategic Control and Organizational Maturity Understanding your organization’s PPMO maturity to drive successful implementation and achieve strategic goals. Assessing Your PPMO Maturity: A Foundation for Success In today’s complex market, many organizations struggle with effective Project Portfolio Management (PPM), often mistaking the concept of shared resources for a mature Project Portfolio Management Office (PPMO). This common misconception can be detrimental, leading […]
Read moreDistinguishing between Project Control Departments, PMOs, EPMOs, and PPMOs for effective project oversight. Navigating Organizational Structures in Project Management In the complex world of project management, various organizational structures are established to oversee and guide projects. These include Project Control Departments, Project Management Offices (PMOs), Enterprise Project Management Offices (EPMOs), and Program and Portfolio Management Offices (PPMOs). While they all aim to enhance project success, each structure possesses distinct characteristics and focuses. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective implementation, […]
Read moreInfrastructure Investment and GDP: Measuring Economic Impact and Strategic Prioritization – ZALBASIREPPM ZALBASIREPPM Infrastructure Investment and GDP: Measuring Economic Impact and Strategic Prioritization Understanding the complex relationship between infrastructure spending and national economic health. The Vital Role of Infrastructure in Economic Prosperity Investment in infrastructure is a critical factor for a country’s economic health and wealth. It empowers the private sector and individuals to invest and produce goods and services more efficiently. Infrastructure spending, whether by the government or in […]
Read morePMO: People at the Core of Project Success – ZALBASIREPPM People: The Core of Every Initiative A fundamental truth often overlooked in project management. My Journey: From Processes to People People are the core for any initiative. That’s the fact we might forget sometimes. An important idea I am finding it everyday so important since I graduated and since I started reading about project management on 1994. After that when I got PMBOK 1996 first edition, I became so addicted […]
Read more
Whats new in Primavera P6 EPPM and Professional ver 18.8 which released on August 2018? Refer to our training videos pages in English and Arabic. Subscribe to our channel in YouTube and activate the alerts to receive it when we publish it. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/zalbasireppm
Read moreForecasting EPMO & EPPM Costs: Best Practices for Strategic Success – ZALBASIREPPM Forecasting EPMO & EPPM Costs: Best Practices for Strategic Success Navigating the complexities of budgeting for permanent, shared, and non-project staff in Project-Based Organizations. The Strategic Imperative of Accurate Forecasting Accurate annual cost forecasting for EPMO (Enterprise Project Management Office) and EPPM (Enterprise Project Portfolio Management) is a critical capability for any Project-Based Organization (PBO). Beyond merely allocating funds, precise forecasting enables strategic decision-making, optimizes resource utilization, and […]
Read moreBeyond the Generic PMO: Differentiating Project Management Offices for Tailored Success – ZALBASIREPPM ZALBASIREPPM Beyond the Generic PMO: Differentiating Project Management Offices for Tailored Success Understanding the unique characteristics of PMOs across sectors and project types for effective implementation and operation. The Evolving Landscape of Project Management Offices (PMOs) The Project Management Office (PMO) is a relatively new concept in organizational management, having gained prominence only in the last two decades. Much of the available literature and publications on PMOs […]
Read moreProject based organisations (PBO) visionary leaders must have a Visual Strategic Portfolio (VSP) within their enterprise project portfolios management (EPPMS) system. Visualisation of the SP means visualisation of your ultimate goals. The current or near future goals are business as usual. It doesn’t reflect the main existence of your organisation. Another reason to have the VSP is that the visionary leaders know they will face many challenges to manoeuvre defining initial targets to make it easy to manage. However, not […]
Read more
The most used method to manage projects is by considering each project as a separate cost centre where you have full budget and resources allocated to deliver the project. This project might extend form a day to years. Here it comes the difficulties that, it will cost the project more if you will consider a cost for a machine or a person as a full-time for the project even he/she/it will operate not full time. For example, an asphalt paving […]
Read moreInteractive Project Portfolio Management Implementation Check List Project Portfolio Management Implementation Check List A practical and interactive guide for assessing your organization’s portfolio maturity. Project Portfolio Management is a dynamic ongoing process of selecting and delivering projects on a shared portfolio model to achieve the maximum benefits realized from the available resources to deliver the organization vision on a long term and the assigned business plans and targets on the short term (monthly, quarterly and annually). Project based organizations (PBO) […]
Read moreThe Overhead Trap: Why Your Bidding Strategy is Failing and How to Fix It The Overhead Trap: Why Your Bidding Strategy is Failing In a slow market, Project-Based Organizations (PBOs) feel the pressure. It’s not just about winning bids; it’s about surviving the overhead cash burn. The Markup Price Dilemma When a PBO loses several bids, the pressure mounts to lower the markup price. This price is a critical formula, typically combining Hard Costs (HC), Overhead (OH), and Profit (Pr). […]
Read more
This article is a second article for the first related article in my LinkedIn profile. please refer to it for more understanding of the article. https://zalbasireppm.com/pmo/do-you-have-portfolio-analysis-skills-part-1/ Portfolios might be defined for certain type of projects with similarity or not, with shared resources or not. The main goal is to have a director who is responsible to deliver the projects goals and the strategic goals. The following scenario is for a small consultant who defined portfolios for each region. Please refer […]
Read more
Project Portfolio Analysis is so sample for a trained person. So for some of us, it will be very easy to understand the charts and tables very fast and for some, it might be new skill to gain. So please for the trained ones, give some insights to what the charts and table data are telling us. In a fast track and busy time for management, they would like to have a tool to tell them a lot by one […]
Read moreHow Much Funding Do Contractors Really Need to Deliver a Project? How Much Funding Do Contractors Really Need to Deliver a Project? How can a profitable, 100-million-dollar project bankrupt a successful contractor? What is the single biggest financial risk that is consistently overlooked in construction bids? The answer lies in the immense, hidden funding requirement needed just to start. This analysis will break down the shocking numbers. The Bidding Blind Spot During the high-pressure bidding stage, forecasting cash flow is […]
Read more
I was privileged to be invited to two important innovation events happened on the same day which I tried to divide my time between both of them. Because the subject and the type of participants on both. They are linked because they are about new solutions and innovations. Let me say that getting knowledge about new trends and innovations opens new prospective always in my mind on how I think and how I adopt new business models. The challenge of […]
Read more
In a tough competitive low pricing market like UAE and KSA, introducing VAT put another challenge to many companies on how to price VAT in their submitted bids/tenders/quotations/invoices? These dilemma in what they include in their bid (or not) pushed some of them in this month to just add 5% on top of their prices as a safe step for them. For example one million contract, it adds 50,000 which might be the difference to lose a bid/tender/quotation in tough […]
Read moreWhat Went Wrong on Carillion Collapse What Went Wrong on Carillion Collapse On January 15th, 2018, UK construction giant Carillion, a company with a 200-year history, entered compulsory liquidation. How did a company with £5.2 billion in sales collapse so suddenly? The Anatomy of a Collapse The fall of Carillion sent a shockwave through the global construction industry. The negative impact was not limited to its 49,000 employees and shareholders; it extended to joint ventures, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients whose […]
Read more
We published many articles about PMO and EPPM because it is the best model for Project Based Organisations (PBO) for best results on such continuously changing and competitive market. However, many organizations are still using traditional functional structure including project controls departments. Therefore, the question which persist in such work environment “What type of Project Controls System Fit You More in Functional Organization Environment?” Although, the training workshop includes a lot more. we are happy to share with you the […]
Read more
Most organizations plan and implement their strategic initiatives all the time. However, delivering it faces difficulties and even failure. One of the important initiatives for government, developers and contractors is the PMO implementation Initiative which is a restructuring initiative which make it more difficult to plan and implement. The good news I read in the recent PMI Pulse of The Profession 2017 report, is that: ” We have learned in the past: that when proven project, program, and portfolio management […]
Read more
One of the most difficult situations is when a decision maker faces the three Ws (WWW) What Went Wrong? The situation becomes more devastating for the investors who invested billions. One example of this is one of the world’s biggest mining company who had put one of their big assets in USA up for sale in October 2014 after a slump in oil prices. The company bought the assets from Chesapeake Energy Corp. in 2011 for $4.75 billion but was […]
Read more
Many organizations growing very fast. They expand their business year after year using the same systems they started with until they find difficulties to report where they stand financially. They wake up with the fact that there is no proper records not just to use internally but more importantly to provide for shareholders and auditors as credible reports. The finance department panics before every due report date to collect the needed data from the different departments. It becomes big headache […]
Read moreWhy PMO is the Solution Not to Fail – ZALBASIREPPM ZALBASIREPPM Why PMO is the Solution Not to Fail A new approach to project delivery for sustained success in dynamic markets. PMO: A New Culture for Project Delivery The Project Management Office (PMO) is more than just a coordinating effort by different departments; it’s a new organizational structure with its own vision, mission, and goals. It represents a new culture designed to overcome common problems like bad project records, unclear […]
Read more
Availability of key skills comes on number 8 for business threat which makes US CEOs extremely concerned about in their organisation strategic planning (PWC 20th CEO Global Survey Report – Jan 2017). The picture becomes more concerning when another survey in USA released on 9th Feb 2017 by Willis Towers Watson research reveals that almost half of employees think they would need to change companies to advance their career. This is a high trend from 2014 Willis Towers Watson research […]
Read moreProject Delivery KPIs: Measuring Success and Performance – ZALBASIREPPM Project Delivery KPIs: Measuring Success and Performance Key Performance Indicators are vital tools to measure risks, opportunities, and strategic project performance. Understanding Project Management KPI Types Project delivery KPIs are important to measure the risks and opportunities that influence the strategic performance of projects and the team involved. The project management KPI types can be defined mainly around the following criteria: Financial These are typically utilized when the measure is monetary. […]
Read more
In challenging market where the pressure to win new contracts to maintain the targeted profit becomes a survival risk, management tends to make very tough decisions. Some of these decisions are around cutting costs. Some are around increasing efficiency and some are about new thinking and new operation model. However, success is a habit. It is a defined process and systems. It is not a change forced to do. Therefore, when we study the successful models for big companies we […]
Read more
Goal: To demonstrate how to manage shared design resources. Level: Intermediate. Direct Users: Planning Engineers, Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and Program / Project Managers, Project Control Manager, PMO Manager and Portfolio Managers Indirect Users: CEO, COO, CFO and Directors Gained Skills Corporate Strategic Planning Resource Planning and Management Project Cost Planning and Management Resource Reporting Tools P6 Primavera Professional Rev 16.2 This article is a series of articles under the title How to Manage Projects’ Design Shared Resources. Please refer […]
Read more
Goal: To demonstrate how to manage shared design resources. Level: Intermediate. Direct Users: Planning Engineers, Design Managers, Design Coordinators, and Program / Project Managers, Project Control Manager, PMO Manager and Portfolio Managers Indirect Users: CEO, COO, CFO and Directors Gained Skills Corporate Strategic Planning Resource Planning and Management Project Cost Planning and Management Resource Reporting Tools P6 Primavera Professional Rev 16.2 This article is a series of articles under the title How to Manage Projects’ Design Shared Resources. Please refer […]
Read moreThe Earthwork Bid: From High-Risk Guesswork to Strategic Advantage The Earthwork Bid: From High-Risk Guesswork to Strategic Advantage The planning and scheduling of earthwork are of major importance in obtaining an efficient bidding price for multibillion-dollar construction projects. But how much detail is truly required to succeed? The Foundational Challenge For any major development, be it highways, dams, pipelines, mines, or big land development and leveling, the calculation of earthwork is crucial for an accurate bid. Earthwork computation involves calculating […]
Read more
Abstract: There are difficulties to collect actual bidding cost from the different contractors records. Many contractors consider it part of the overhead and not important to calculate. Part of this difficulties is the unidentified or different bidding process methods and where the process starts and where it end? Therefore, identification of the bidding process, will help to identify its actual cost. We will discuss here only the contractors bidding process. Although, there are similarities for consultants and suppliers process with less cost expected. […]
Read moreThe Strategic PPM Implementation Roadmap: From Functional Silos to Value Delivery The Strategic PPM Implementation Roadmap From Functional Silos to Value Delivery: A Guide to Successful Business Transformation The Strategic Imperative for PPM Many organizations champion Project Portfolio Management (PPM) as the key to strategic success, yet few implement it effectively. The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines a portfolio as a collection of programs and projects managed as a group to achieve strategic objectives. In practice, PPM is the operating […]
Read moreThe Importance of Choosing the Right PM Software The Importance of Choosing the Right PM Software We rarely hear of structural failures, but project time and budget overruns are common. This isn’t a failure of materials; it’s a failure in project planning and control design. The Performance Paradox Business leaders universally agree on the importance of project management, yet the failure rate for projects and the PMOs that support them remains alarmingly high. Research highlights a significant disconnect between belief […]
Read moreEmbracing Challenge: Why Diversity in Thought is Your Greatest Asset Embracing Challenge: Why Diversity in Thought is Your Greatest Asset When you feel your organization is not overcoming market changes, it’s time to think about cognitive diversity. The Mark of True Leadership Successful leadership is defined by the willingness to accept challenges to its own decisions. This tolerance is not a weakness; it is a confirmation of confidence—in the leader’s ability to lead and in the team’s ability to take […]
Read moreThe Decision to Bid: Turning High-Stakes Challenges into Opportunities The Decision to Bid: Turning High-Stakes Challenges into Opportunities In a constantly changing market, decision quality is based on three factors: your data, your analysis system, and the minds who operate them. The High-Stakes World of the “Decision to Bid” In the construction industry, the challenge of a changing market is amplified by the huge investments contractors make. This risk is smaller for engineering firms, but for both, having a sustainable […]
Read moreOrganizational Transformation: Aligning with Client Needs for E&C Success – ZALBASIREPPM ZALBASIREPPM Organizational Transformation: Aligning with Client Needs for E&C Success Leveraging technology and client-centric strategies in the Engineering & Construction sector. The Digital Imperative: CEOs Embrace Technology It was fascinating to follow the details of PwC’s 19th Annual Global CEO Survey in Davos across various media. What particularly resonated with me was a point I’ve long advocated: the necessity of organizational transformation to embrace the latest technologies in how […]
Read moreWhy Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM) is Your Future Gate to Project Success Why Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM) is Your Future Gate to Project Success A comprehensive look at how EPPM links project data to core business processes for unparalleled control and insight. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, relying on outdated project management methods is no longer sustainable. Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM) is not just a buzzword; it’s a critical database management system that links every aspect […]
Read moreThe Low-Bid Dilemma: A Strategic Guide to Competitive Tendering The Low-Bid Dilemma: A Strategic Guide to Competitive Tendering When a client repeatedly tenders similar projects, the pressure to reduce prices can be immense. How do you encounter this strategy without sacrificing your business? The Bidding Pressure Cooker In bidding and tendering, pricing is a complex mix of actual cost, risk-averse cost, and markup. This article isn’t about markup; it’s about the intense pressure to reduce the total bid price to […]
Read more