Building Resilience in Project Management: Navigating the Unknown

Project managers must go beyond process efficiency and optimization to excel in building resilience in a fast-changing project environment

To effectively tackle unforeseen challenges, project managers must take proactive steps and cultivate a culture of resilience. It will not only help them navigate uncertainty but also enable them to swiftly rebound from setbacks. By prioritizing resilience, project leaders can foster collaboration, innovation and agility and ensure sustainability in the face of constant change.

These were some key thoughts that emerged from leaders at the ninth edition of the Project Management Regional Conference (PMRC) on 3 June in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was the first-ever PMRC organized by the PMI Bangladesh Chapter, which delved into the theme “Project Management: Architecting Resilience.”

The conference provided a platform for project leaders and practitioners from various industries to come together, share insights on building resilience in project management and make meaningful contributions to the community. The event was attended by more than 500 delegates from South Asia.

The conference commenced with a welcome note by Annesha Ahmed, president of the PMI Bangladesh Chapter. Ahmed then conducted an insightful fireside chat with Srini Srinivasan, regional managing director of PMI South Asia. Dr. Srinivasan said, “Many of the newer certifications share a common thread, which is agility. PMI has been focused on not only the fundamentals of projects but also on innovation and agility.”

As the chief guest of the conference, K. M. Abdus Salam, senior secretary of Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, gave the inaugural address.

M. A. N. Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd., spoke about the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project, a major infrastructure project that is expected to significantly impact Dhaka’s economy and society.

Lee Lambert, founder of the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification, shared his personal journey in project management and the growth of the certification, which now boasts 1.5 million certified project management professionals.

Ben Breen, global director of construction and vice president of PMI Asia Pacific, highlighted how project outcomes can be enhanced in the built environment with the PMI Construction Professional program. Geetha Gopal, chief operating officer of Verdana, explained the challenges and opportunities of using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in project management.

Russell T. Ahmed, founder and CEO of Team Creative and CLASSTUNE and president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), emphasized that collaboration between academia, government and industry is essential for inclusive growth in Bangladesh.

The second half of the conference started with a fun-filled energizing session with quizzes to engage the audience and maintain energy.

Retired Major General Abu Sayeed Md. Masud highlighted how leadership, technical project management and strategic business management are all essential for project success.

This was followed by an insightful panel discussion moderated by Md. Abdullah Al Mamoon, deputy managing director and COO of United Commercial Bank PLC. The panelists delved into diverse project management challenges in an emerging economy like Bangladesh and suggested measures to address them. They emphasized that project managers must adopt a flexible approach to deal with uncertainty and create an immune system for project success.

Other notable speakers at the event included Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh and Md. Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan, chief of staff of ShopUp and national president of JCI Bangladesh.

Quazi Sabir, founder of Khelbei Bangladesh, moderated a motivational session titled “Leadership in 22 Yards.” During the session, Nigar Sultana Joty and Marufa Akter from the Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team shared their perspectives on various facets of leadership and essential skills needed for positive results.

Each year, PMRC returns stronger and more impactful, empowering project managers with new trends and insights. The conference provides opportunities for networking, establishing connections and fostering a sense of belonging within the project management community.