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Leadership in project management takes work, writes Jürgen Oschadleus

Over 2 300 years ago, Philip of Macedon rescued his country from collapse, liberated it from foreign occupation, and laid the military foundation for his son, Alexander the Great, to extend the boundaries of the powerful new Macedonian empire. When this shrewd diplomat and warrior was asked to name his most formidable foe, he did not pick out any of the military rulers that had opposed him. Nor did he pick one of the many fearless soldiers who had raised their swords against him in battle. Instead, he named a communicator.

What is different about project management in emerging countries?

Projects not only occur in a social and economic vacuum, but their success is often a function of how well they are embedded in the local institutional framework. The institutional framework reflects the laws, rules and regulations that govern an economy. The institutional environment influences the type of players in a market and the manner in which these players interact with each other. Therefore, unlike a football game that is played along well-established international rules, the rules that dictate projects and an economy vary considerably from one country to the next.

Addressing the gap between theory and practice with Dr David Hillson, The Risk Doctor

Humans have been undertaking projects for millennia, with more or less formality, and with greater or lesser degrees of success. We also have recognised the existence of risk for about the same period of time, understanding that things do not always go according to plan for a range of reasons. In relatively recent times, these two phenomena have coalesced into the formal discipline called project risk management, offering a structured framework for identifying and managing risk within the context of projects.

Literature review by Ian Jay

A problem that can arise in a project is users not taking advantage of the changed situation. When asked to make the transition, there are excuses or avoidance of the issue. This dysfunctional behaviour can arise from too much change in the lives of the change targets. The problem it represents, is poor returns for the organisation on its investment in the project.

UN accolade for Alex renewal project

A project that is uplifting living conditions in Alexandra, one of South Africa’s most densely populated townships, has received a prestigious accolade from the United Nations.