Latest news with #ProjectManagement
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,' Saudi housing minister says
RIYADH: Project management is 'one of the most important drivers of national trust,' Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail told a conference in Riyadh on Sunday. Saudi Vision 2030 was created to paint a prosperous future that will reinvent the economic, social, and developmental reality of the Kingdom, Al-Hogail added. Project management plays a pivotal role at the governmental level by improving the execution and quality control of numerous projects, in full alignment with national goals and targets, he said. The fourth Global Project Management Forum, with Arab News as a media partner, began its first day of discussions with more than 120 speakers. The event brings together experts for workshops and dialogue on the best practices in the industry, aligning with Saudi Arabia's rapid development under Vision 2030. 'Today, we are witnessing accelerating changes and rising challenges … at the heart of (the solutions) is project management to reshape our spaces, meet the needs of the people, and enhance overall sustainability,' said Al-Hogail. 'At the housing and municipality sector, we design projects to meet the dreams of households.' According to the minister, more than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom are working on a wide range of construction projects. 'This kind of momentum cannot be achieved without project management, which starts with the people and their focus on the conscious planning, flexibility in execution, and ability to adapt to new changes.' Project management has become smarter, he said, with a strong ability to predict and plan sustainably, and with the potential to help build a strong nation with a diversified economy. The two-day forum will feature 50 strategic and technical sessions, and include more than 40 exhibitors. A total of 60 agreements will be signed to develop partnerships between entities.
Trade Arabia
18-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
MENA's largest project management forum opens in Riyadh
The largest project management forum in the Middle East and North Africa and the second largest worldwide opened in Riyadh on Saturday. The Global Project Management Forum (GPMF) 2025, held under the patronage of Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing at Fairmont Riyadh, will run till tomorrow (May 19). With the theme 'Next-Gen Project Management: The Power of People, Processes, and Technology,' GPMF 2025 has brought together government officials, industry pioneers, innovators, and global thought leaders to shape the future of project delivery in a rapidly evolving world. 'Saudi Arabia is not only delivering some of the most ambitious projects globally — it is cultivating the talent and building the systems that will shape the future of the profession,' said Eng Badr Burshaid, Chairman of the Global Project Management Forum. 'GPMF is more than a gathering—it is a platform of influence, leadership, and vision.' A powerhouse of learning and global exchange The forum opened with a full day of premium masterclasses and advanced workshops on May 17, offering in-depth training on emerging methodologies, leadership strategies, and digital tools. Over the next two days (May 18–19), GPMF will feature keynote speeches, expert panels, interactive breakout sessions, and a large-scale exhibition. Sessions will focus on topics such as artificial intelligence in project planning, giga-project execution, sustainable transformation, and digital innovation—highlighting how project professionals are redefining impact in today's complex world. Minister Al-Hogail will deliver a keynote address during the forum, reinforcing the government's commitment to empowering the project economy as a national priority. A platform where strategy meets innovation This year, GPMF is hosting a dedicated B2B innovation platform, allowing project-tech entrepreneurs and solution providers to pitch breakthrough ideas to global stakeholders and potential investors. 'This forum is where ideas come to life—where future-ready strategies are forged and long-term partnerships are built,' said Eng. Badr. 'Whether you're managing billion-dollar projects or building tools to support them, GPMF offers the world's stage to connect, collaborate, and lead.' 'Saudi Arabia has become a destination where the world comes to learn, to build, and to lead,' added Eng Badr. 'And GPMF is where that journey begins.' - TradeArabia New Service
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Spotlight on technology at Riyadh project management forum
RIYADH: The three-day Global Project Management Forum 2025 opens here on Saturday titled 'Next-Gen Project Management: The Power of People, Processes, and Technology.' Held under the patronage of Majid Al-Hogail, minister of municipalities and housing, the GPMF brings together government officials, industry pioneers, innovators, and global thought leaders. Badr Burshaid, chairman of the forum, told Arab News: 'Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend it is now one of the most transformative forces in project management.' He said the forum would showcase live demonstrations of AI tools. This includes predictive analytics, which McKinsey estimates can boost project efficiency by 30 percent, alongside real-time resource optimization systems, he said. These innovations, he noted, are already shifting workflows across industries. 'By 2030, Gartner predicts that 80 percent of project management functions will be supported or led by AI,' Burshaid said. 'AI is not here to replace human leadership — it is here to enhance it,' he added. Burshaid highlighted digital twin technology as a game-changer, citing its role in saving 'hundreds of millions in maintenance costs' for projects such as London's Crossrail. Hybrid governance models blending agile and predictive approaches, he added, are becoming critical in today's complex project landscapes. On the GPMF's global influence, he said: 'These conversations aren't theoretical — they're catalytic. GPMF is not just responding to change; it is architecting it.' 'Developing future talent is a strategic imperative at GPMF 2025,' Burshaid added. The forum's initiatives include the Project Management Challenge, where students solve real-world problems, and partnerships with universities to align education with industry needs. He emphasized that 'talent cultivation is not aspirational — it's operational,' pointing to certifications and mentorship programs as proof of the GPMF's commitment. Burshaid linked the forum's agenda to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, noting that Project Management Offices remain pivotal in turning national goals into results. Case studies from Saudi Arabia's mega-projects would demonstrate how digital tools and performance-monitoring drive progress. 'GPMF doesn't just reflect Vision 2030, it propels it forward,' he said. Addressing tensions between automation and human judgment, Burshaid argued that 'technology can accelerate processes, but only people can provide vision, context, and values.' Sessions at the event including 'Leadership Under Pressure' would guide professionals in balancing AI tools with ethical oversight and empathy. 'GPMF stands for a future in which innovation is deeply human-centric,' he added. Burshaid issued a rallying call: 'From Riyadh, we're not only reimagining project management — we're raising the standard for how nations and leaders deliver transformation.'
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Project management: Powering the future from Riyadh to the world
In a world that is being reshaped by vision, velocity and transformation, one discipline sits quietly at the heart of every breakthrough: Project management. From digital cities rising in the desert to the global race toward clean energy and sustainable innovation, nothing of consequence is built without the hands — and minds — of project leaders. Today, project management is no longer a backstage function. It is the engine driving global progress. Nowhere is this more evident than in Saudi Arabia. As we move boldly toward Vision 2030, the Kingdom is delivering megaprojects of historic scale and reimagining how the world plans, leads and delivers change. From NEOM and Qiddiya to green hydrogen hubs and digital infrastructure, Saudi Arabia has become a living laboratory of what is possible. And at the center of this transformation stands the Global Project Management Forum, or GPMF — a platform born in Riyadh, and built for the world. In May 2025, GPMF will once again welcome the world to Riyadh, bringing together more than 100 nations, institutions and thought leaders to ignite new ideas, forge global partnerships and unlock the full potential of the profession. GPMF is a global movement, championing the power of people, processes and technology to shape a better tomorrow. This year's theme, 'Next-Gen Project Management: The Power of People, Processes, and Technology,' is a call to action. We are standing at the edge of a new era — one driven by artificial intelligence, sustainability and rising generations of talent who dare to lead differently. GPMF is where those forces converge, where ideas turn into impact. In my journey as a project leader, I have learned that real transformation does not start with blueprints or budgets — it starts with belief. Belief that we can dream bigger. Build smarter. And lead with purpose. That is the essence of project management. And that is the spirit of GPMF. What began as a regional gathering has grown into one of the most influential forums on the global stage — because the world sees what Saudi Arabia is doing. We are delivering on Vision 2030 by shaping how the future is managed, one project at a time. To every policymaker, innovator and changemaker: The future demands bold leadership, and project managers are rising to that call. We invite you to be part of this journey. Join us in Riyadh. Join the movement. Help us to shape the future — together. • Badr Mohammed Burshaid is the founder and chairman of the Global Project Management Forum, of which Arab News is a media partner, and has been the president of the Project Management Office Global Alliance at Saudi Hub since June 2022.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The 7 expert hacks to help your garden feel bigger this summer from the colours you use to the size of your furniture
AN expert has revealed seven tricks to make your garden feel bigger this summer, from colours to the size of your furniture. With the sun blazing down on the UK this week, many of us are likely spending as much time as possible in the garden. 3 However, if you've noticed that your outdoor space is looking a little cramped, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to make it look bigger. With this is mind, Ivana Agustina, Head of Project Management at ShrubHub, an award-winning online landscape design service has revealed seven things to do to make your tiny outside area look like a sprawling haven. Create Zones The expert revealed that breaking your garden up into different zones makes it feel larger than if it is just a single open area. 'The human brain perceives multiple small experiences as more substantial than one uniform space,' Ivana explained. 'By dividing your garden into zones – perhaps a dining area, a lounge space, and a planting section – visitors mentally 'travel' through your garden, making it feel much bigger.' Diagonal Lines Ivana explained that breaking your garden up into diagonal lines tricks your eyes into thinking that the space is bigger than it actually is. 'Garden pathways or patio pavers laid at a 45-degree angle create an illusion of expansion," she said. 'This works particularly well in rectangular gardens, where the diagonal lines fight against the boxy boundaries.' Vertical Gardens If you have limited space in your garden, growing plants up trellises or on walls can make the garden feel bigger. "Vertical gardening is both practical and visually expanding,' the expert said. I made a DIY fence for £68 with pallets from Facebook Marketplace - it gives more privacy & people say it's 'fantastic' 'By drawing the eye upward with wall-mounted planters, trellises with climbing plants, or tall, narrow planters, you create height that makes the garden feel more spacious.' Strategic Colours Even the different colours you use in your garden can affect how big the space looks, according to the expert. She advised: "Place brighter colours like yellows and oranges near the entrance of your garden, transitioning to cooler blues and purples at the far end." 'Cool colours visually recede, making that section of the garden seem farther away than it actually is.' Garden features that add the most value to a house A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property. carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK. And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed. Shed - 82% Patio or paving - 76% Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72% Outdoor lighting - 66% Sturdy decking - 62% Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58% Modern garden furniture - 54% Artificial lawn/grass - 40% Mirrors Mirrors are often used to make the inside of homes look big, and you can use this trick in the garden too. 'An outdoor-rated mirror placed at the end of a garden reflects plantings and sky, effectively doubling the visual space,' Ivana said. 3 'For safety, choose shatterproof acrylic mirrors designed for outdoor use.' B&M is currently selling an Al Fresco round sectioned mirror for £10 which will make your garden look huge for a bargain price. Furniture Size Having a huge set of garden furniture in a tiny garden overwhelms the space, make your garden look minuscule. Instead Ivana recommend picking smaller furniture and, to give the area "breathing room." 3 She added that this trick also applies to greenery, and recommended planting small plants instead of enormous trees. Create Mystery "Human curiosity is a powerful tool in garden design,' Ivana said. 'When we can't see everything at once, we perceive there's more to discover.' The expert recommended partially screening areas with tall grasses, bamboo, or lattice panels that "hint at spaces beyond without fully revealing them".
