With complex projects at hand, industry leaders share their strategies for overcoming the operational and strategic challenges that arise from every venture.
During the first ever The Filipino Times Watchlist: Top Engineers and Architects Summit & Awards in the Middle East held on March 17, Emelyn Martinez, Managing Director of Qualis, Leonester Diestro, Asset Lead, Retail Delivery Manager of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, and Maynard Theodor Saga, Project Manager of Traxon Technologies presented key takeaways on how to overcome challenges and address project management issues through enhanced monitoring and measurement.
According to Martinez, managing a project is all about having a clear plan and set objectives with regular monitoring.
“We have to always focus on details. I believe as technical architects and engineers, focusing on details is an important trait. If we have problem, focusing on the problem will help us solve concerns,” she said.
On another note, Diestro highlighted the importance of communication to establish a clear understanding of what the goal is.
“One thing I learned doing these days is you need to tip down to the level of these workers. Most of the workers here are struggling with communication side. Make friends professionally and have a goal, that is to make it on time,” she shared.
Meanwhile, Saga emphasized that leadership is also a collaboration with the whole team, regardless of position.
“Befriend them, go to the site, bring samosas and chai, have a connection. We are human first, we need to interact. Don’t think that you’re a project manager and are higher over them. Go beyond your description to gain the trust of these guys and they will be responsible in finishing the project,” he said.
Saga also mentioned not to pinpoint mistakes instead collaborate on what the solution is then finish the job. “Communicate, connect to the site, dig deeper and fix it. Help each other to avoid delays and disparities,” he said.
The first Filipino Engineers and Architects Summit & Awards in the Middle East, organized by the New Perspective Media Group, featured UAE government officials and leading industry experts held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek.
