Registration and Networking

Welcome and Day Highlights

Redefining Project Success: Empowering Next-Gen Professionals to Drive Strategic Impact and Career Growth

In this session, Hanny Alshazly, Regional Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Project Management Institute (PMI) will delve into the latest insights from our report redefining and measuring project success, and highlight the critical shift from traditional metrics of success, such as time and budget, to a more holistic approach that includes achieving strategic objectives and creating sustainable change.This keynote will also provide a comprehensive roadmap for next-gen project professionals to redefine success, measure it effectively, and leverage their skills to drive impactful change. By becoming strategic partners, they can ensure project success and accelerate their career trajectories.

The One Shift That Changes Everything

What if everything you thought led to success was actually holding you back? It’s not about working harder, delivering more projects, or following every best practice perfectly. In fact, this one shift might turn everything you know about success upside down. The professionals who understand this become the go-to leaders in their companies. The ones who don’t? They keep wondering why their value isn’t being recognized. Whether you’re managing projects, running a PMO, or driving business transformation, this shift will elevate your IMPACT, accelerate your career growth, and make you indispensable to your organization. It will change how you apply everything you learn at this conference and how you position yourself in your organization moving forward. This is the shift that changes everything. Want to know what it is? There’s only one way to find out. Be in the room.

Rewriting the Story – Rising Above with a Positive Mindset

Discover the power of perspective in this inspiring session on mindset transformation. Learn how to reframe challenges, overcome setbacks, and cultivate a positive outlook that fuels growth and resilience. It's time to rewrite your story—with intention, strength, and optimism.

10 predictions for the future of games and media

Welcome to a world where creativity scales, reality blends with simulation, and tomorrow’s most beloved games won’t come from massive studios—but from passionate, nimble teams empowered by AI. In this session, we’ll explore the radical transformation underway across the gaming industry. As AI reshapes development pipelines, small teams are launching global blockbusters, defying the notion that size equals success. From Palworld and Valheim to Among Us, this is the age of the 10x developer and the 100x creator. Meanwhile, games themselves are evolving into living, breathing experiences. Non-player characters (NPCs) will know your name, remember your story, and engage in fluid, unscripted conversations that blur the line between code and consciousness. Your AI companion won’t just play beside you—it might play as you, learn your style, and continue the adventure while you’re away.

Accelerating Journey to Sovereign AI

"Unlock the full sovereign AI value chain from development to application. As Korea's leading tech company with 20-plus years of experience, we share our expertise in building AI models trained on Korea's unique language and culture used across NAVER services such as CareCall. We hope to collaborate with local and global partners, including NVIDIA, to provide sovereign AI wherever it is needed and help nations and businesses accelerate their journey toward AI sovereignty and drive innovation."

The Project to Product Journey: Solving Transformation Fatigue Once for All

TBC

The Execution Gap – Aligning Strategy with Action for Measurable Success

This session addresses the persistent challenge of translating high-level strategies into actionable project plans that deliver tangible results.

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The Next-Gen PMO: Value Creation Through Customer-Centric Leadership

PMOs are evolving into value-driven, customer-centric enablers of business success. This transformation is at the core of the newly released PMO Practice Guide by PMI, a groundbreaking publication that redefines how PMOs operate and create impact and value. If you want to understand where PMOs are heading, this session will provide a clear vision based on the experiences of the world's most successful PMOs. We will explore how PMOs are transitioning from rigid processes to a flexible, business-aligned approach that emphasizes real outcomes, while also evolving to be more adaptive and customer-focused, delivering measurable business value.

Lunch, Prayer & Networking

Panel Discussion

Opening Ceremony

Opening Keynote

Keynote Session TBC

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Keynote Session TBC

GPMF Awards Launch

Networking and Transition Break

Empowering the Future – Building Competencies for the Next Generation of Project Leaders

Focused on the skills and traits needed for emerging project professionals, this chat explores how organizations can cultivate talent to navigate complex global challenges.

Sponsor Recognition

Mastering Change and Transformation at Scale - how to create a company-wide innovation culture

Join bestselling author and innovation thought leader Alex Osterwalder for an inspiring and interactive session on Mastering Change at Scale. He will explain what it takes to grow your company’s “change muscle.” Osterwalder will demonstrate this by using the example of building an innovation culture across the whole organization.

In his talk he compares mastering change and reaching a business goal (like building an innovation culture) to training for a fitness goal (like running a marathon or building strength). It requires the right exercises (tools), needs consistent practice (doing) and regular check-ins (measuring progress). Learn how to build your organization’s “change muscles” with repeatable routines, real-world practice, and smart ways to measure progress.

Whether you are just starting your transformation or trying to improve, this talk will help you build the strength, agility, and endurance to lead change with confidence. Outcomes: Understand best practices to build your change muscle at scale, Discover the key ingredients of building an innovation culture, Learn how to get started.

The Digital Frontier – Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Transform Project Management

This session delves into the transformative potential of technologies like AI, data analytics, and cloud collaboration in project management.

The Next-Gen PMO: Value Creation Through Customer-Centric Leadership

N.E.X.T. Horizon: Expanding the Boundaries of Project Management

Leaders Qualities in driving consulting project success

This presentation explores the essential qualities that leaders must embody to ensure the success of consulting projects. It delves into how effective leadership drives collaboration, fosters innovation, and overcomes challenges in complex consulting environments. Attendees will learn about critical traits such as strategic vision, adaptability, communication excellence, decision-making under pressure, and team empowerment. The session will also provide actionable insights on how these qualities translate into measurable project outcomes, making it an invaluable resource for current and aspiring consulting leaders.

Advancing Construction Excellence: Innovations in Technology Integration” will explore the transformative impact of emerging technologies on the construction industry

Project Management and Change Management are Allies NOT Adversaries

Project Management and Change Management are common ground for Transformations Management. However, while this is a legitimate and valid aspiration, the challenges and the competing agenda between Project Management and Change Management suggest otherwise. In today's practices, Project Management and Change Management are often confused. Although they both involve managing people and processes (and often work together to meet organizational goals), they are not understood and treated as different disciplines. In addition, business managers do not facilitate a structured discussion how Project Management and Change Management can be Allies rather than Adversaries. Based on my experience, there is an acute need to understand the differences between project management and change management and how both practices can (and should) work together to manage projects and their resulting changes and how that is crucial for the success of the organization. BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. Besides, there should be a clear guidance on WHEN either Project Management or Change Management should lead the agenda of change. Striking the right balance between the soft versus the hard side of change is the real challenge.

The Tech Revolution: How Portfolio, Program and Project Management is Evolving for the Future

This session will explore the rapid shift of Portfolio, Program and project management toward technology-driven methodologies and tools. It focuses on how technological advancements are redefining project management practices, shaping the role of project managers, and setting the stage for the profession's future.

Leadership and the importance of robust values and culture

Shared Values & Culture: The Foundation of Business Success. In this engaging session, Hans Nilsson, a seasoned business scaling expert and former CEO of global enterprises, explores the critical role of shared values and organizational culture in driving business performance. Drawing from his extensive leadership experience, including at HP, Mars Electronics, and Spectris PLC, Hans will illustrate how well-defined cultural principles enhance decision-making, leadership effectiveness, and long-term success. Through real-world examples—both successes and failures—this talk will provide actionable insights on how businesses can build, sustain, and evolve their culture to navigate growth, acquisitions, and global expansion.

Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Empowering Project Teams for Sustainable Success

In today’s rapidly evolving project management landscape, fostering a growth mindset within teams is crucial for achieving sustainable success. This presentation will delve into strategies for cultivating a growth-oriented culture, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven leadership and continuous improvement. Attendees will gain insights into practical techniques for empowering their teams, enhancing adaptability, and driving project excellence.

Agile and Waterfall: Friends or Foes? How to Create Effective Hybrid Methodologies

This practical session tackles one of the most pressing challenges in modern project management: how to effectively combine Agile and Waterfall approaches. Project managers will learn a structured framework for creating hybrid methodologies tailored to their specific project needs. Through real-life examples and hands-on guidance, participants discover how to assess project characteristics, design custom approaches, and successfully implement hybrid solutions. Particularly valuable for project managers working in dynamic environments, this session provides immediately applicable tools for bridging traditional and agile methods, ensuring better project outcomes through balanced, flexible approaches.

Future-Proofing Project Management: The Top 5 Skills for Tomorrow’s Leaders

This session delves into the essential skills that project managers must develop to navigate the evolving landscape of project management. Drawing insights from recent studies and industry reports, the discussion will highlight the top five competencies critical for future success.

Beyond the Site: The Role of Management in Civil Engineering

The presentation topic, titled ""AI - Prompt Engineering," explores the art and science of crafting effective prompts to maximize the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated outputs. It delves into: Understanding Prompt Engineering: The principles of defining roles, tasks, and expected formats for AI guidance. Components of Effective Prompts: Highlighting the importance of specificity, clarity, context, tone, and audience awareness. Addressing Ethics and Challenges: Ensuring data privacy, adherence to ethical standards, and overcoming ethical dilemmas. Practical Frameworks: Introducing and applying RTF (Role, Task, Format) and CREATE (Character, Request, Examples, Adjustments, Types, Evaluation) formulas for effective AI interactions. This session is designed to provide hands-on practice, real-world examples, and actionable techniques for leveraging AI in project management and beyond.

Empowering Future Leaders: Transformative Approaches to Project Management Development

This high-energy, no-fluff Fire Talk brings together industry experts to tackle the future of project management through sharp, to-the-point insights. We’ll explore global excellence, social impact, talent development, women’s leadership, and strategic transformation—all in a fast-paced, interactive format.

Reframing Project Success

This presentation explores the evolving definition of project success in the construction sector, highlighting key findings from PMI's recent global research and drawing lessons from both successful and failed megaprojects case studies . It presents a new, value-driven definition of project success. It introduces the PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP™) certification as the new standard and a solution to common industry challenges. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to apply proven strategies to improve project outcomes and redefine success beyond traditional metrics.

A Hybrid Model for Sustainable Value Creation

In today's complex environments, achieving both flexibility and control is a must. This hybrid model, fully customizable and designed for any industry, blends Predictive, Agile, and Lean practices to ensure alignment from strategy to product and service delivery. It empowers managers and teams to define their own rules, bridging the gap between business transformation and operations. By fostering continuous improvement and sustainable value creation, it offers a practical, scalable solution for real-world challenges.

Petrobras Excellence in Capital Projects: Developing People and Processes"

This work presents Petrobras' journey towards excellence in capital project management, focusing on the development of people and the implementation of effective processes. The presentation highlights the strategies adopted to develop team competencies and skills, combining best practices from PMI processes, IPMA competence baselines, and the Prince methodology. Additionally, it emphasizes the creation of processes that ensure business value delivery. Through practical examples and achieved results, Petrobras demonstrates how the combination of skilled people and well-structured processes can lead to success in complex projects.

Unlocking AI's Potential with Blockchain - The Future of Secure, Scalable AI

AI is revolutionizing industries, driving unprecedented profits for companies that integrate it into their products. From smartphones to autonomous driving and advanced language models, AI is at the heart of technological innovation. Companies like Samsung and Apple have leveraged AI to dominate global markets, underscoring the competitive advantage it offers. However, as AI continues to evolve, individuals and businesses must ask themselves where they stand in this transformation. Despite its benefits, AI presents significant risks, particularly in sensitive areas like healthcare, military, and politics. AI systems can generate unpredictable outcomes, raising concerns about security and ethical implications. Moreover, tech giants have vast access to personal data, increasing privacy concerns. The potential for AI misuse by rogue nations further amplifies the urgency to implement control measures that ensure AI operates within safe and ethical boundaries. To unlock AI' s full potential while mitigating risks, a robust framework for oversight is essential. A certification system, similar to how app stores verify software before release, is necessary to ensure AI systems are safe and reliable. However, entrusting AI regulation solely to private companies or centralized institutions raises concerns about power concentration. A decentralized and transparent solution is needed one that empowers individuals and businesses to monitor AI independently. The answer lies in integrating AI with blockchain through a concept called AI Labeling. Blockchain's decentralized and tamper-proof nature allows for transparent verification of AI actions, ensuring accountability and security. Locus Chain, a high-speed blockchain designed specifically for AI, provides the scalability and efficiency needed to manage AI's vast data demands. As AI and blockchain converge, they will shape the future of technology and business, making AI both more powerful and controllable. The future belongs to those who act now to harness this revolutionary combination.

Future-Proofing Project Management: Cultivating the Next Generation of Visionary Leaders - How to Develop Agile, Strategic, and High-Impact Project Managers for a Rapidly Changing World

The world of project management is evolving at an unprecedented pace—driven by digital transformation, AI, and the increasing complexity of global initiatives. Yet, while tools and methodologies change, one factor remains constant: the need for visionary project leaders who can navigate uncertainty, drive innovation, and create lasting impact. In this powerful keynote, Raphael Albergarias, a global authority in project leadership and education, shares strategies for preparing the next generation of project managers. From shifting mindsets and leadership capabilities to leveraging AI, agility, and cognitive psychology, this session explores how organizations and professionals can develop future-ready leaders who thrive in complexity and shape the future of project management.

Striking the Balance: Integrating Human Capital, Efficient Processes, and Innovative Technology in Project Management

This session will explore the transformative journey of the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) as a model of sustainable urban development in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By examining key lessons from KAFD's design, planning, and execution, the presentation will highlight innovative strategies that integrate sustainability with large-scale urban projects. We will explore how KAFD utilizes cutting-edge green technologies, sustainable architecture, and forward-thinking urban planning to create a resilient, eco-friendly, and economically vibrant urban environment. Drawing on the project's successes and challenges, this session will offer valuable insights for project managers, urban planners, and developers aiming to implement sustainability principles in future urban developments.

The Power of Positive Mindset - Turning Pain into Power

Project Management vs Purpose Co-Creation

Shaping the future requires engaging, aligning and empowering all the stakeholders to innovate and co-create solutions together. This goes beyond project management to enabling engaged agile teams to deliver innovative value in cycles.

B2B Networking

Registration and Networking

Welcome and Day Highlights

The Golden Thread of Technology activation

How the activation of technology is critical to the evolution of efficient and forward-looking project management services delivery.

Project Management Certification: Is It Worth It?

Achieve breakthrough PMO success through behavioral and organizational change.

More than ever before, PMOs are in the spotlight for organizations around the world. New frameworks have been released, new associations are promoting certifications, and expectations are at an all-time high. This session will pull from the book, Atomic Habits, and Organizational Project Delivery from The PMO Squad, to explore practical application of behavioral and organizational change to deliver actionable takeaways to drive PMO success. As author James Clear wrote, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Enhancing Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability in Leadership Roles in the Age of AI (NF)

This presentation explores how emotional intelligence (EQ) and adaptability enable leaders to harness AI as a strategic partner for next-generation project management, aligned with KSA Vision 2030. It highlights how success in the AI age depends on unlocking human potential to align teams, processes, and technology. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to build emotionally resilient cultures, transform disruption into innovation, and lead with confidence, fostering productivity while safeguarding creativity and well-being.

The Future of Project Management: Leadership, Innovation, and Strategic Integration of People, Process, and Technology

This exclusive panel will bring together top global leaders in project management to discuss how the profession is evolving in response to disruptive technologies, shifting workforce dynamics, and the increasing complexity of business environments. The panel will explore how organizations can strategically align people, process, and technology to not only deliver projects successfully but also drive innovation, competitive advantage, and long-term value. Key points of discussion will include the future role of PMOs, governance in the age of AI, and how professional associations are shaping the next generation of project leaders. Attendees will gain insights into global trends, leadership strategies, and industry best practices that will define the future of project management.

Future of Teams: Empowering Gen Z+ with Next Gen Project Management Power Skills

The landscape of work is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by a digitally native generation with unique expectations and values. Gen Z is the future of the workforce and its impact on project management is not just a trend, but a strategic imperative. Join Future of Work expert Luke Goetting on this journey to unlock the transformative power of Gen Z employees on your teams to become a leader in the new era of project management and connect with your organization' s next generation of talent! This dynamic, interactive program arms you with the critical insights and actionable strategies needed to transform your project management approach and help shape the future of your organization: 1. Beyond "Quiet Quitting": We delve into the deeper motivations and aspirations of Gen Z, helping you create a workplace that fosters meaningful engagement and long-term success. From Challenges to Opportunities: Explore the unique characteristics of Gen Z “ their tech fluency, collaborative spirit, and focus on purpose “ and dis 2. cover how to turn them into powerful levers for project effectiveness. 3. Building High-Performance Teams: We equip you with proven strategies from mentorship and gamification to transparent communication and skills development “ to forge diverse, motivated teams that thrive in the future of work.More than just connecting with Gen Z, this program empowers you to: 1. Attract and retain top talent in a competitive market. 2. Boost team innovation and agility in a rapidly changing world. 3. Future-proof your project management practices for sustained success. Remember, adapting to the future isn't optional “ it's essential. Invest in your future, invest in Gen Z. Register today! My session will be a dynamic and engaging experience filled with opportunities for you to actively participate. Throughout the session, you'll have multiple avenues to shape the discussion and dive deeper into the content. Get ready for: 1. Live Polling: Let your voice be heard! Answer real-time questions, gauge group sentiment, and influence the direction of the workshop via interactive polls. 2. Participant-Driven Content: No more passive lectures! Your interests and questions will guide the conversation, ensuring you get the most out of every moment. 2-Way Q&A: Ask questions freely and engage in open dialogue. No question is too small or too big, and I'm here to provide insightful answers and foster learning.

Tailoring IT development for patient-centric healthcare solutions

Being part of the healthcare department of a vendor company, I’ll share insights on IT development for U.S. government-funded grant projects. These projects come with unique challenges, such as balancing business, legal, and technical requirements while working with non-technical leaders like research directors and clinicians. Our solutions help patients manage illnesses and support medical research, but we often face strict budgets, evolving requirements, and small teams wearing multiple hats. Customer processes can be unclear, and available technologies aren’t always the best fit. To tackle these challenges, we rely on clear communication, proactive collaboration, and adaptable development. Each project teaches us something new, helping us refine our approach and create better outcomes for everyone involved.

How to utilize AI in Next Generation Projects ?

1. Use of AI use cases in projects to deliver value. 2. Role of AI in Green and Digital Transformation 3. Creating business value in project management via AI tools and techniques.

Doubling your Strategic Portfolio Value Today

In today's competitive landscape, executives are relentlessly seeking strategies to amplify returns on their investments. The C-suite yearns for a Project Management Office (PMO) that not only orchestrates projects but also functions as a strategic powerhouse, driving exceptional value. In this session, we'll discover how the traditional focus on project execution is limiting the portfolio strategic value that the PMO can deliver. We'll then explore four portfolio management techniques that PMO leaders can leverage to dramatically increase the return on investment from their portfolio, while delivering real strategic impact to the business. Our target during the talk, in fact, is to empower you to double the ROI from the whole portfolio of projects. Which is just what your executives are looking for!

Turn Dreams into Progress: How to Manage Your Resources for Real Results

Lofty strategies without the support of available and accessible resources are often destined to fail. Research from Harvard Business Review and Brightline shows that managing too many initiatives without adequate resource management is a primary reason why strategies fail to be implemented successfully. Yet, Resource Management is often entangled in buzzwords and vague concepts. In this interactive session, we will utilize the Resource Management Continuum Framework to help participants identify their most pressing resource management challenges and introduce actionable steps to address these issues. The Resource Management Continuum simplifies the complex question of ""who does what, when"" across different time horizons, using targeted questions to pinpoint the most pressing business issues. This session can be adapted to various formats, from a quick 30-minute overview with self-assessment exercises to a full workshop or unconference session. The framework was first introduced at the PMOGA Unconference in 2023 (refer to video for more details). The attached presentation is the original document presented at the unconference and will be adapted to the chosen interactive format.

Leadership:Empowering Success Through Influence and Collaboration

This session, Leadership: Empowering Success Through Influence and Collaboration, explores the essence of true leadership beyond authority. It covers key misconceptions about leadership versus management, the importance of influence and inspiration, and the essential traits of an effective leader, including vision, active listening, empowerment, adaptability, and integrity. Additionally, it discusses fostering leadership within teams, motivating members, and creating a culture of innovation and collaboration. Through real-world examples and case studies, the session aims to inspire participants to embrace leadership as a tool for positive impact and success.

Leading complex multicultural project teams

This presentation will examine the role of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in leading and managing a team composed of members of diverse cultural backgrounds, and how it affects team cohesion and project performance, in particular:1. Identify critical factors and strategies that contribute to the formation and success of high-performing multicultural project teams, focusing on leadership, communication and team-building practices 2. Explore leadership approaches and behaviors that foster collaboration, trust and high performance in a multicultural team of experts from different nationalities

TBC

TBC

The power of people in leading innovation in communities

Explore how people-centered innovation is shaping the future of our cities. This session will showcase a proven methodology that empowers communities to drive smart city initiatives and digital transformation. Through real-world success stories like Smart Cities Ambassadors and Women of Future Cities, we will highlight how collaboration, technology, and inclusive leadership can create lasting impact.

How to have data driven decision making in agile transformation. Use digital-driven innovations.

Speech will give an insight into how I have worked with a digital native startup automating end-to-end agile transformation processes. 1. Why Change Management using Agile methodology (external and internal environment analysis) 2. What are megatrends affecting the need to innovate with digital and agile methodology (regulatory, technology, ageing population disrupting knowledge and organisational learning etc) 3. Digital Innovation long tail model: Working with startups for win-win growth. Large organisations learn quicker how to apply emerging digital technology (AI specifically in my presentation's case) 4. Overview of a product Dune Studio is using for agile transformation projects. For agile teams of 10 - 14 people. Assessment feature, predictive analytics, KPIs and OKRs, AI for proactive risk management, reporting and analytics using the AI powered system.

Managing Projects Towards Excellence: AJi Group’s Experience

AJi's successful experience in establishing Project Management Offices (PMO) will be showcased through two major projects: the first with Riyadh Municipality , where AJi has been able to achieve the objecives and aspirations of the Municipality, especially in qualifying human cadres within project management teams, and the second is Tabuk University project, where this project distinguished itself in digital transformation, in which AJi was able to achieve the university’s strategic goals.

Digital Mastery: Tools and Strategies for Project Success

In an era defined by rapid technological evolution, managing digital projects effectively has become a cornerstone of organizational success. This presentation delivers a concise yet powerful guide to mastering digital project management. Attendees will explore the unique challenges of the digital landscape, learn how to navigate the project lifecycle with agility, and uncover the secrets to selecting the right tools and methodologies. Drawing insights from real-world scenarios, the session will cover critical skills for digital project leaders, including building high-performing teams, driving digital transformation, and leveraging AI and analytics to enhance efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or transitioning into digital domains, this presentation will equip you with actionable strategies to ensure your projects deliver transformative results. Leave with a roadmap to lead your teams confidently, adapt to change seamlessly, and achieve sustained success in a tech-driven world.

Future-Ready Project Leaders: Preparing the Next Generation of Professionals

In this session, insights on the skills, tools, and leadership qualities required to prepare the next generation of project managers will be shared. By focusing on agility, technological fluency, and emotional intelligence, participants will learn how to future-proof their teams and adapt to the evolving demands of the profession.

Stakeholder Diplomacy - The Unseen Force Behind Project Success

Stakeholder Diplomacy - The Unseen Force Behind Project Success Project failure is rarely just a result of poor planning. More often, it stems from unspoken tensions, competing priorities, and silent resistance that derail execution. True success lies in navigating power dynamics, aligning diverse interests, and influencing outcomes without formal authority. Stakeholder Diplomacy is the strategic force that determines whether a project drives impact or stalls under pressure. It requires the ability to read the room, anticipate resistance, manage expectations without overpromising, and transform sceptics into strategic allies. This session explores the subtle yet decisive techniques behind securing stakeholder buy-in, sustaining momentum, and ensuring long-term success. Attendees will gain practical strategies to navigate conflicting agendas, defuse tensions, and drive alignment while keeping the project on course. Mastering Stakeholder Diplomacy is not optional, it is the defining factor between leading with influence and merely managing execution.

Digitization and Innovation for Controlling Mega Projects

The aim of this session is to introduce what RUA have accomplished regarding Digitization that provides faster access to information, increase productivity, improve decision making and for Innovation the use of the latest technology that helps monitor the project progress throughout the project lifecycle and plan future steps

How to unlock the potential of the low altitude economy

In an era defined by rapid technological evolution, managing digital projects effectively has become a cornerstone of organizational success. This presentation delivers a concise yet powerful guide to mastering digital project management. Attendees will explore the unique challenges of the digital landscape, learn how to navigate the project lifecycle with agility, and uncover the secrets to selecting the right tools and methodologies. Drawing insights from real-world scenarios, the session will cover critical skills for digital project leaders, including building high-performing teams, driving digital transformation, and leveraging AI and analytics to enhance efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or transitioning into digital domains, this presentation will equip you with actionable strategies to ensure your projects deliver transformative results. Leave with a roadmap to lead your teams confidently, adapt to change seamlessly, and achieve sustained success in a tech-driven world.

Disciplined Agile - Choose Your Way of Working

This session focuses on how organizations can effectively utilize Disciplined Agile (DA) and hybrid project management approaches to create pragmatic transformation roadmaps. By combining the flexibility of DA with structured hybrid methodologies, this talk aims to address common organizational challenges and deliver actionable strategies for achieving business agility. Key highlights include: Disciplined Agile Toolkit: Exploring how DA supports adaptive and pragmatic approaches, focusing on tailoring processes to organizational contexts rather than adhering to rigid frameworks.Value Stream Assessments: Understanding how to identify inefficiencies, optimize workflows, and align business objectives with delivery capabilities. Portfolio and Program Management: Discussing strategies for transitioning from project-centric to product-centric planning, emphasizing value-driven prioritization and execution.Hybrid Approaches: Bridging traditional project management with agile practices to address specific needs, including capacity management, vendor collaboration, and team enablement.

Lunch, Prayer & Networking

Lunch, Prayer & Networking

Driving Sustainability in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Project Management Strategies for a Green Future

Overview of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Explain how sustainability is a key pillar in the country's long-term vision and the role of project management in achieving its goals. Sustainable Infrastructure Projects: Discuss the development of green cities like NEOM, and how project managers can implement sustainable practices in large-scale infrastructure, urban planning, and construction projects. Energy Transition and Renewable Projects: Focus on the shift towards renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, and the challenges and opportunities project managers face in implementing these initiatives. Circular Economy and Waste Management: Address projects aimed at reducing waste, promoting recycling, and fostering a circular economy in Saudi Arabia. Environmental Regulations and Compliance: Provide insight into the regulatory framework in Saudi Arabia regarding environmental protection and how project managers can ensure compliance with these standards. Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain: Discuss how project managers can integrate sustainability into procurement processes and supply chains, emphasizing local sourcing and reducing environmental impact. Innovation and Technology: Explore how emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain) can be leveraged to drive sustainability in projects.

The Effectiveness of Third-Party Monitoring Framework in Hard-to-Reach Locations

Implementing projects in hard-to-reach locations whether due to security risks, political instability, geographical barriers, or health emergencies poses significant challenges for organizations striving for accountability, transparency, and optimal performance. Traditional internal monitoring mechanisms are often insufficient in these restricted environments, necessitating Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) Frameworks to provide independent oversight, mitigate risks, and enhance project impact. This session will explore how TPM serves as a critical tool for accountability and Value for Money (VfM), enabling effective project oversight where direct access is limited. We will examine how TPM frameworks go beyond conventional monitoring systems by incorporating local context, diverse stakeholder needs, and innovative data collection methodologies. Through real-world examples, participants will gain insights into how TPM can strengthen risk management, optimize performance, and ensure beneficiary engagement in project implementation.

The Inner and Outer World of Leadership: Resilience, Transformation, and Integrity

Core Idea: Leadership is not just about external achievements; it is deeply rooted in the inner psychological landscape of the leader. In this session, we will explore how personal integrity, emotional resilience, and self-awareness form the foundation of transformational leadership. Additionally, there is no clear boundary between personal and professional lives they are constantly influencing each other. The keynote also explores the interconnectedness of personal and professional identities. This approach equips leaders to navigate stress, inspire change, and lead authentically in an evolving business world.

Governance - The Cornerstone of Accountability and Transparency in Project Management

In today's demanding and complex project environments, effective governance is the foundation for delivering successful and sustainable outcomes. While ethics plays a crucial role in fostering trust and responsible decision-making, it is governance that establishes the frameworks, structures, processes, and practices needed to drive accountability, ensure oversight, align projects with organisational goals, and enable project success. This presentation will explore: The Power of Governance: How strong governance frameworks facilitate clear decision-making, proactive risk management, and contribution to strategic objectives. Ethics in Governance: The role of ethical principles in reinforcing stakeholder trust and guiding responsible decision-making within governance structures. AI and the Future of Governance: How AI is reshaping governance practices, offering new opportunities for enhanced decision-making while introducing ethical considerations that must be addressed. Join me as we explore how a governance-first approach - complemented by ethical decision-making - empowers project leaders to navigate complexity, foster transparency, deliver project success, and realise impactful organisational outcomes.

The Leadership Factor: Transforming Project Management Beyond Execution

Soft Skills, Hard Results: Essential Traits for the Future Project Leader

This panel discussion will explore the indispensable soft skills that project leaders must cultivate to thrive in an increasingly complex, fast-paced, and tech-driven world. As project management evolves, the role of emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, and leadership becomes more critical than ever.

Securing the Future: Strategies to Attract, Develop, and Retain Top Talent in Project Management

This panel discussion will explore the critical elements necessary for building and sustaining human capital in project management. Focusing on talent retention and development, appealing to emerging professionals, and implementing initiatives for sustained growth, the session will provide actionable insights drawn from recent research and industry trends.

Leading Across Cultures: Project Success in a Globalized World

In today's interconnected world, the success of any project hinges not just on technical expertise but on the ability to navigate cultural differences. This talk dives into the critical dimensions of culture that influence teamwork, communication, and decision-making in diverse and remote project teams. Drawing on real-world stories and relatable examples, it highlights the unspoken norms, working styles, and expectations that can either drive collaboration or derail progress. Whether you're a Saudi professional leading international teams or an expatriate navigating the cultural nuances of working in Saudi Arabia, this session provides actionable strategies to foster trust, alignment, and harmony. By understanding and bridging cultural divides, participants will learn how to transform challenges into opportunities and elevate project outcomes in a globalized world.

Team capabilities and project success: The medianting role of the governance framework

How a project team's ability to learn and adapt (absorptive capacity) impacts project success, with the governance framework acting as a mediator variable. Presentation is based on a research study (PhD Thesis) focusing on oil and gas capital projects in Brazil. The study utilizes Agency Theory and the concept of projects as temporary organizations. Data from a survey of 173 project management professionals was analyzed using Partial Least Squares. Results show that both absorptive capacity and effective project governance significantly influence project success. This study contributes by examining how these factors interact within the context of oil and gas capital projects, providing guidances to develop an Effective Capital Project Control System to integrate the governance framework of the permanent sponsor organization.

Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Rethinking Project Management in the Age of Digital Transformation

This provocative panel discussion challenges traditional project management norms, exploring how emerging technologies are forcing organizations to adapt or risk becoming obsolete. The conversation will push boundaries, addressing the disruptive nature of digital transformation and its impact on the future of project management.

From growth to greatness: unlock your potential, lead with impact, and become a future-ready PM

The path from growth to greatness is built on daily improvements, emotional intelligence, and unlocking your potential to lead in complex environments. Through inspiring stories, actionable strategies, and a vision for the future, this speech will empower you to embrace continuous learning, foster collaboration, and develop the essential leadership skills needed to thrive as the PM of tomorrow in an ever-evolving world.

Leading Through Change: The Future of Project Management Beyond 2030

Join this high-energy Firetalk Panel as industry leaders dive into the essential shifts that will define the future of project management. From building inclusive teams that drive innovation, to leveraging ePMOs as the enterprise brain for strategic decision-making, and transforming project managers into influential business leaders—we’ll discuss how tomorrow’s leaders can drive sustainability, inclusivity, and strategic alignment. Discover how embracing diversity, green practices, and advanced portfolio management can empower your organization to thrive in an increasingly complex world. Whether you’re an executive, a PMO leader, or a forward-thinking project manager, this discussion will provide actionable insights to future-proof your approach to project delivery.

Securing the Future: Cybersecurity Strategies in the Age of Digital Transformation

As organizations accelerate their digital transformation, they face an increasingly complex and evolving cybersecurity landscape. Cyber threats are no longer just an IT issue they are strategic business risks that can impact operations, reputation, and compliance. This session is designed to empower project managers and business leaders with the knowledge and tools to seamlessly integrate cybersecurity best practices into digital initiatives. We will explore real-world cyber threats, emerging attack vectors, and the growing regulatory landscape that demands proactive security measures. Through practical insights and case studies, we will uncover strategies for identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating risks, and safeguarding critical data while ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Attendees will learn how to balance innovation and security, enabling business agility without compromising resilience. Whether you're leading a digital transformation project or managing enterprise IT initiatives, this session will provide actionable steps to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem.

Green PMO for Decision Makers

Overview: The session will focus on demonstrating the value of having a PMO and its role in driving better sustainability ESG outcomes. Attendees will learn how the PMO can embrace sustainability/ESG as one of the key pillars, in order to empower the board of directors with clear insights on strategic alignment, resource optimization, risk management, benefits and value delivered. We'll also explore how the PMO can become a vehicle to deliver value, drive and ensure informed decision making for a successful organization.Key Takeaways: Discover how to transform your PMO to a driver of positive sustainability outcomes by integrating ESG considerations into its core processes. Learn how the PMO can drive informed decision making by providing clear data and insights related to sustainability initiatives. Gain strategies for utilizing the PMO as a vehicle to deliver value on sustainability projects.

Building a Global Digital Project Management Community

The Essence of Trust in Leadership: Building Bridges, Creating Impact

Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership, yet it often operates in the background. Trust isn’t just a nice to have in leadership it’s the invisible force that binds people, teams, and organizations. Without it, leadership crumbles.

Unlocking your PMO Potential using the PMO Competency Framework

In this interactive and hands-on session, we delve into the power of the PMO Competency Framework to support both individual career growth and organizational development. Whether you're just starting out in PMO or are a seasoned professional, this session will equip you with the tools to reflect on your skills, identify areas for growth, and create meaningful role profiles for your team. We'll guide you through: 1. Preparing for and conducting a PMO self-assessment, using practical tips to ensure meaningful reflection. 2. Scoring your experience against the competencies, knowledge, skills, and behaviours outlined in the PMO Competency Framework.3. A live demonstration of the online self-assessment tool, available to full members of the House of PMO, showcasing its ease of use and actionable insights.4.How to use the PMO Competency Framework to build a tailored role profile for a PMO position in your organization, ensuring alignment with business needs and individual development goals. Interactive Elements: 1. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete a quick self-assessment exercise during the session, helping them gain immediate insights into their strengths and areas for development.2. A practical activity to create a role profile for a PMO job in their organization, based on the Framework and guided by a step-by-step explanation of the process. Key Takeaways: 1. Gain a deep understanding of the PMO Competency Framework and its application to self-assessment and role design. 2. Walk away with personalized insights from a hands-on self-assessment exercise. 3. Learn how to build effective role profiles using the Framework, supporting team development and organizational success. 4. Discover how the online self-assessment tool can enhance you and your teams personal and professional growth.

AI Ethics in Project Management: Towards Responsible Governance

My presentation high lightens the following: AI ethics in project management is becoming increasingly crucial as organizations integrate artificial intelligence into their workflows. The potential for AI to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and improve outcomes is immense; however, the ethical implications of its use cannot be overlooked. Project managers must navigate a complex landscape that involves ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI applications. This involves not only adhering to ethical standards but also fostering a culture of responsibility where team members are encouraged to address and discuss ethical dilemmas that may arise in AI implementation.

Towards A Value-Centric Approach: Revolutionizing Project Procurement for Strategic Success

In this session, Dr. Liudmila Prozorova, CEO of Quantum Leap Consultancy, presents the Value-Centric Project Management Framework, an innovative methodology designed to unlock strategic value in complex projects. The presentation explores how aligning procurement practices with project objectives transforms procurement from a cost-focused function into a driver of strategic success. Attendees will learn how the 6Cs Framework, Clarity, Consistency, Continuity, Collaboration, Control, and Completion creates a roadmap for managing project lifecycles while maximizing value across all stakeholders. By addressing challenges such as procurement silos, extended cycles, and misaligned KPIs, this approach delivers sustainable project outcomes, mitigates risks, and fosters collaborative, win-win supplier relationships. Drawing on a case study from the oil and gas sector, the session demonstrates how organizations can achieve measurable improvements in profitability, efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction. This presentation is a must for project leaders aiming to drive strategic project value and achieve breakthrough results in complex environments.

Closing ceremony