Workshop Speaker: Dr. Lisa McElvaney
Workshop Topic:
"Program Management in the Middle East: Lessons Learned Building a Sustainable City"
As Organization Development Director and member of CH2MHill’s Executive Program Management Team for the Masdar City Development in the UAE, Dr. McElvaney had the opportunity to document unique challenges associated with international program management, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. These Lessons Learned cover subjects such as: critical areas to investigate before submitting a proposal; program management model definition and its impact on roles and responsibilities, decision making, and client expectations; the influence of culture and working in a highly diverse environment; negotiating with an Arab client; balancing competing client goals; cultural perceptions of time and their impact on planning and schedule; program management phases and influence on staffing requirements; program management versus project management; expatriation challenges and impact on employee retention; and more. |
