
Workshop Session : Successfully Managing Mega Programs in Today's Competitive Environment
Managing mega programs presents unique challenges that require specialized expertise and strategic planning. These large-scale projects are characterized by their complexity, high stakes, and global implications. The successful delivery of mega programs demands a blend of technical knowledge, adaptive management, and strong leadership to mitigate risks and maximize efficiency. This workshop offers practical insights and actionable strategies for effectively managing mega programs from planning through to execution and delivery. Delegates will gain tools, techniques, and knowledge to navigate the complexities of managing such high-pressure projects
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Registration @Registration Desk
Mid-Morning Coffee Break @ Foyer Area
Lunch Break @ Catering Area: Foyer Area
Welcome Remarks :
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Leadership Remarks :
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Opening Remarks :
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Keynote : Zero Bureaucracy Goverment
In the realm of government and public sector projects, effective project controls are indispensable for ensuring that large-scale initiatives align with national policies, deliver value to the public, and adhere to regulatory compliance. The presentation will provide key insights into how project controls are applied in the government sector, with a focus on their role in enhancing accountability, transparency, and strategic alignment with long-term national goals. Project controls, encompassing cost management, risk assessment, and schedule monitoring, play a critical role in the successful execution of government projects. Given the often-complex regulatory environment, public sector projects must balance stakeholder interests, meet budgetary constraints, and deliver within the set timeline. The presentation will explore how effective project controls lead to the timely and within-budget delivery of these capital projects while ensuring compliance with public policies. In the context of the public sector, the presentation will address government frameworks and policies that directly influence project delivery. Examples may include national budgetary guidelines, procurement regulations, and sustainability mandates, all of which ensure that public sector projects are developed responsibly and in line with the national vision. Highlighting key frameworks such as the UAE’s Vision 2030 and public-private partnership (PPP) policies, the discussion will outline how they shape project planning and control efforts.
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Headline Partner Remarks : Introduction To Arab Takting Management And The Transformative Potential Of The Takt Control System Within The Construction Industry.
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Session T1 : Gega Project Controls
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Panel discussion : AI-Powered Industries: Transforming Projects and Enabling Maximised Value Creation from the Middle East and Beyond
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Session T2 : Maintaining the Golden Thread of Information in Projects
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Session T3 : The Data-driven PMO: Harnessing the Power of Data to Revolutionize Program Management & Controls.
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Session T4 : AI Without Trusted Data is Just A: How to Get Project Controls AI Ready
AI is the hot new superstar in project controls, but without trusted data, it's just a shiny distraction. No magic, just hype! We want to change that. Imagine AI predicting your risks, automating tedious tasks, and giving you insights so good you'll want to frame them. But if your data is a mess, AI is going nowhere. In this session, we'll cut through the fluff to show you how to get your data in ship shape so AI can shine. You'll leave with a series of actionable steps you can take to make your data AI-ready; no boring theories, just the real deal that'll have you saying, "AI, let's do this!" Join us and make AI the project controls superstar it's meant to be.
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Session C1 : Super Fast Project Delivery : Samhan Car Park
The award winning Samhan Car Park is part of the Diriyah Gate giga programme in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Principally delivered during 2023, completion by the end of 2023 was a pre-requisite to enable the Formula E event in January 2024 through the streets of Historic Diriyah. This presentation will outline the approach to deliver this project within an ambitious timescale, covering delivery and procurements strategies, modern methods of construction, effective project controls, comprehensive stakeholder engagement and innovative technology. In implementing these strategies initial project delays were recovered and the project was completed early and bought into operation on the contractual completion date at the end of 2023.
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Session C2 : Transforming Construction Management: The Power of Integrated ERP Systems
Modern construction management demands seamless integration. An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system serves as a critical common data environment, breaking down traditional information silos and creating a single source of truth. Key integration advantages include: Unified project information across all departments Real-time data synchronization Eliminating duplicate data entry Comprehensive visibility from estimating to project completion Instant communication between field and office teams Streamlined decision-making processes By creating a centralized digital ecosystem, ERP systems transform fragmented workflows into interconnected, intelligent networks. This holistic approach reduces errors, enhances collaboration, and provides unprecedented project transparency. Integration is not just a technological upgrade—it's a strategic revolution in construction management.
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Session C3 : Powering AI-Driven Decision with Deltek ERP
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Panel discussion : Scheduling and Dispute Resolution / Principal
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Session C4 : Balancing Project Controls and Operational Continuity in Aviation: Strategies for Maintaining Project Integrity and Airport Operations
In the high-stakes environment of airports and aviation, project controls are critical to ensure that large-scale infrastructure and maintenance projects are delivered on time and within budget. However, unlike in other industries, aviation projects must contend with the imperative of business continuity. Airports operate on a 24/7 schedule, and any disruptions to operations can result in substantial financial losses, logistical challenges, and reputational risks. This creates a delicate balance: while rigorous project controls aim to maintain schedule adherence and budget integrity, the unique demands of aviation and airports projects often necessitate deviations from the original project plan to avoid disrupting airport operations. The presentation will explore the intersection of project controls and operational continuity in aviation, highlighting the methods and decision-making frameworks used to manage these competing demands effectively. One common approach in aviation project management is to fast-track or crash schedules—accelerating project timelines through resource reallocation or parallel task execution. While these methods are often necessary to ensure minimal interference with flight schedules, aircraft movement and passenger flow, they can introduce additional costs, safety risks, and quality concerns. Managing these risks requires a nuanced understanding of both project controls and operational needs, as well as proactive communication with airport stakeholders. To illustrate, we will explore case studies where project managers have successfully balanced project controls with operational continuity. For example, during runway resurfacing projects, teams often work during low-traffic hours to avoid flight disruptions, deploying additional crews to minimize the duration of work. While this approach can strain budgets and resource availability, it preserves critical flight schedules. Similarly, terminal expansion projects may prioritize certain phases of construction to maintain clear pathways for passenger movement, even if it means deviating from the original project sequence. These examples underscore the need for agility in project controls within aviation, where decisions are often based on real-time operational data and require input from airport authorities, contractors, and regulatory bodies. Further, this presentation will discuss how digital project management tools are transforming project controls in aviation, enabling data-driven decisions to enhance flexibility and reduce response times. Advanced analytics and real-time tracking allow project managers to anticipate operational disruptions and quickly adjust project plans, thereby maintaining a balance between strict project timelines and the unpredictable nature of airport operations. Ultimately, successful project management in aviation requires a dual focus: adhering to project controls while prioritizing operational continuity. I will discuss strategies for aligning project controls with operational needs, such as embedding contingency planning in the project lifecycle, establishing robust stakeholder communication channels, and leveraging data analytics for predictive insights. By fostering a culture of collaboration and adaptability, project managers can meet project goals without compromising airport operations—a necessity in an industry where reliability and efficiency are paramount. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for managing complex aviation projects and leave with actionable strategies for balancing project controls with the operational imperatives unique to airports and aviation.
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Session C5 : Impact of Material Wastage on Construction Projects’ Cost Overruns: A Case Study
Material wastage remains a significant challenge in the construction industry, leading to projects’ cost overruns and project delays. This study aims to investigate the root causes, consequences, and mitigation strategies for material wastage of a large-scale residential construction project in Egypt. The Case-Study will specifically focus on cost overruns issue which is a major concern for the construction industry as a whole due to a high percentage of failure to adhere to the project budget allocated for these construction projects to ensure achieving profitability that is required to maintain organizations’ growth and financial stability and goals. Many construction firms are currently investing considerable effort to reduce material wastage however because this effort is not directly targeting and addressing the main root causes of this concerning issue, it is inefficient. By analyzing the project's pre-contract phase, construction activities, and postconstruction evaluation, this study will examine factors such as: • Inefficient management practices •Improper material warehousing • Inadequate quality control • Informal instructions from the engineer •Material damage due to poor workmanship • Security issues • Regular Tracking for Material Wastage •Tender study and Contract formulation Theoretical Framework: The study will draw upon the theory of lean construction, which emphasizes waste reduction and continuous quality improvement in the construction process. In addition to applying best practice techniques and efficient systems for regular proactive monitoring and controlling for Material Wastage. Methodology: The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. This will involve: • Document analysis of project plans, contracts, and financial records . Numerical Analysis for the case study showing estimated cost variance at the project completion resulting from material wastage solely. • What If scenarios for actual estimated material wastage versus committing to budgeted material wastage percentages and amounts in addition to scenario of reaching optimum utilization for material wastage if applying lean management procedures. Focus on Impact of the most critical materials in the project that should have special attention in material wastage tracking. Research Questions: By the end of this study, the following key questions will be answered. What are the primary causes of material wastage in construction projects? How does material wastage impact project costs and timelines? • What are effective strategies for mitigating material wastage in the construction industry? The findings of the study will provide valuable insights into the root causes of material wastage in construction projects particularly in the Egyptian Market and offer practical recommendations for improving project management practices, optimizing material procurement, and implementing effective waste reduction strategies. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to both the enhancement and development of sustainable and cost-effective construction practices and reduce the impact of such threat to the construction industry.
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Session M1 : No More CPM: It's TAKT Time - The Foundation for Continuous Improvement in Construction Projects.
This presentation explores the shift in focus between planning and execution phases in construction project management and the issues traditional scheduling methods face in balancing detail and practicality. The proposed solution, Takt Planning and Control, divides construction into smaller cycles to create a standardized, repetitive process, improving predictability and reducing delays. A three-level method (macro, norm, and micro levels) enhances project efficiency by aligning work tasks, ensuring continuous improvement, and enabling real-time control. The case study of a German contractor illustrates the practical application of Takt Planning in complex construction projects.
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Session M2 : Turbocharging Your Project Risk Analysis: Roadmapping To Project Risk Maturity
Quantitative risk analysis (qra) is all too often performed as a “tick box” exercise, to comply with contractual or regulatory obligations. This presentation will explore why this approach and attitude is so prevalent and will cover some of the main areas of value and insight that can be unlocked with a different mindset. Framed a different way, this presentation will provide an overview of a best practices framework for project risk modelling maturity: ten things that your models should tell you, and which can guide organisations to making better, risk-informed decisions. This presentation should be attended by anyone who wants to know which questions they should be asking their subcontractors to answer, or by organisations who want to make better use of the techniques and insights generated by a mature, project risk analysis initiative.
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Session M3 : Recalibrating Risk Management: Balancing Advanced Techniques with Fundamental Principles when delivering Mega Projects
In today's fast-evolving landscape of technology and strategic frameworks, it's vital to re-examine the role of the Risk Manager. The debate around the potential obsolescence of risk management prompts us to ask: Have we become so fascinated with advanced tools and techniques that we've lost sight of the fundamental objectives of risk management? While academic literature and professional forums consistently highlight that effective risk management is about delivering tangible value to our stakeholders—through careful identification, assessment, and management of risks1—rather than merely deploying sophisticated methods, the high failure rates of mega projects underscore a pressing concern. Recent data shows that 50% to 70% of these large-scale projects fail to meet their budget, schedule, or performance targets2. Drawing from my recent experience with Red Sea Global, one of the world’s most ambitious tourism and real estate developments spanning 28,000 square kilometres and valued at $10 billion, I have been tasked with implementing a robust project risk management framework. This role has involved ensuring that teams deliver on time, within budget, and with exceptional quality. My research reveals that the true value of risk management often lies in aligning closely with stakeholder expectations and supporting accountable risk owners, rather than over-relying on advanced techniques and forcing our complex skillset on teams. In this presentation, I will share insights on which risk management approaches proved most effective in a dynamic and innovative environment. Discover why revisiting fundamental risk management principles might be the key to enhancing performance and effectiveness in today’s complex and fast-paced projects. Join me to explore how a back-to-basics approach can offer profound benefits even in the most advanced project environments. 1. Betty J. Smith and Chris J. L. K. Britton in their book "Managing Project Risks and Opportunities 2. Data gathered from 2020, McKinsey & Company and 2022, Project
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Session M4 : Trust Data, Not Promises: The Power of data in Project Leadership
In today’s fast-paced business environment, relying on opinions, status updates, and personal assurances can lead to costly project failures. Successful project leaders understand that data—not promises—drives informed decision-making, mitigates risks, and ensures project success. This session will explore the critical role of data in project leadership, highlighting how to leverage real-time metrics, key performance indicators, and analytics to gain true project visibility. By shifting from trust-based to data-driven decision-making, leaders can improve accountability, optimize resources, and drive better outcomes.
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Session M5 : Collaborative agreements: old ideas finally coming into their own?
In pursuit of enhanced performance, industries are increasingly experimenting with collaborative models. Despite these initiatives, the engineering and construction sector continues to underperform relative to the broader economy. This presentation will examine the potential of structured collaborative models to address this productivity gap and will showcase the benefit obtained by pioneers clients. We will explore key collaborative features and strategies for structuring agreements, with a particular emphasis on alliances in complex and giga projects. These projects benefit significantly from joint coordination, advanced digitalization, and early supply chain involvement. The presentation will underscore the key-role of technology and the advantages of a robust, consistent project control ecosystem in enhancing performance at project, programme and portfolio level. Furthermore, we will analyze how collaborative contracts can reduce disputes and mitigate project risks by fostering a more transparent environment for stakeholders. Case studies from the renewable energy and defense sectors will be presented to illustrate these principles. Join us to discover how a structured approach to collaborative integration can drive productivity gains in project delivery.
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Session M6 : Importance of Quantitative Risk Assessment in Oil and Gas EPC Project for decision making.
Using Quantitative Risk Assessment method is crucial for EPC Project especially in Oil and gas industry either for End-user (Project Owner) or EPC Contractor. As the End-User (Project Owner) usually has a Product delivery contracts that needs to be respected so delivering beyond the delivery dates may have some major consequences. Also, in case of Budget overrun that may result in not achieving the project economic indicators (IRR, NPV, and ROI). Same goes to the EPC Contractors submitting a bids in oil and gas projects that usually complex project can be challenging in usually they do have hefty delay penalty they want to avoid. Also running over budget may drastically affect the contractor’s financial health. Accordingly, utilizing Quantitative Risk Assessment in forecasting project budget and planned schedule. Therefore, employing QRA to forecast project budgets and schedules is vital. It enables decision-makers to anticipate potential issues and make proactive, risk-aware decisions to enhance project outcomes. In this seminar we will explore the following: 1. Collecting Data for QRA: Exploring the different data collection methods to support Quantitative Risk Assessment. 2. Probabilistic Modeling: By quantifying uncertainties and Risk Events, using a method like Monte-Carlo simulation to assess the confidence level in budget and schedules. 3. Sensitivity Analysis: Understanding which factors significantly influence project outcomes is crucial. Sensitivity analysis helps identify key drivers and prioritize risk responses. 4. Risk Response Strategies: Exploring the different Risk Response strategies and measure its expected effectiveness based on data. 5. Decision Support: Showing how QRA can support the decision maker how to select the optimum decisions. In summary, QRA provides a structured framework for managing risks, ensuring that oil and gas EPC projects navigate uncertainties successfully. By integrating quantitative analysis into project controls, organizations can optimize performance, reduce surprises, and enhance overall project resilience.
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Session M7 : Take Ownership of your Project Controls
Project Controls are becoming more sophisticated every year and reliance on complex IT systems and artificial intelligence tools is becoming the industry standard in construction. The boom in the real estate market has driven the need for larger and more complex organization structures. With this increased complexity, Project managers are being driven to lose ownership of their project controls, relying too much on IT systems or on other departments to provide all the answers. When problems arise, they tend to blame it all on “the system”. This presentation invites project managers to take ownership of their project controls through seven simplified guidelines.
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Session G1 : The presentation will be about taklifa which is a digital Cost Estimate Request and Tracking platform.
Taklifa is an advanced application designed to streamline cost estimation requests for PDO. It ensures data completeness before preparation begins, provides timelines for completion, and automates review and approval workflows for reviewers and Technical Authorities (TAs). Replacing the Cost Estimate E-Form "old tool", Taklifa enhances efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder visibility in the cost estimation process.
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Session G2 : Unlocking Project Success: The Power of Integrated Project Controls for a Comprehensive Advantage
In the swiftly changing landscape of project management, the necessity for effective project controls is crucial. This paper investigates the amalgamation of project controls within the framework of the Project Management Institute's PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) and how it can lead to improved project outcomes. By examining best practices, case studies, and the latest trends in project controls, this paper aspires to furnish insights for project managers and stakeholders attending the Project Controls Expo UAE 2025.
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Session G3 : Delays in Oil & Gas Construction Projects: Causes, Impact, and Mitigation Strategies
Oil and gas construction projects are inherently complex, involving extended durations, significant capital investments, and multiple stakeholders across regions. Delays are frequent, driven by factors such as inadequate project planning, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, regulatory challenges, and geopolitical risks. These delays result in budget overruns, erosion of stakeholder confidence, and contract disputes, ultimately affecting project outcomes. This presentation will examine the primary causes of delays, focusing on critical areas including risk management, schedule control, and resource planning. It will emphasize the financial, operational, and reputational impacts of delays on project delivery and stakeholder expectations. To mitigate these risks, the presentation will propose best practices in project management, such as robust planning, risk assessment frameworks, integration of advanced project control tools, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, and the adoption of agile project management and flexible contracting models. These approaches will enable project teams to proactively address challenges, improve schedule performance, manage costs, and reduce the potential for disputes. In an industry where timely project completion is essential, effective delay mitigation and proactive management are key to sustaining competitive advantage and ensuring successful project execution.
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Session G4 : Projects Control Aspects and Successful Elements, Case Study For Fast-track Project, Electrical Power Supply Instead of Diesel Generator.
In today’s business environment, nurturing creativity is essential for driving innovation and staying ahead of the contest and Stakeholders expectations. To have a successful project that meets stakeholders’ objectives and delivered in target cost and schedule, we must have fully control elements as repeatable processes for measuring project status, forecasting likely outcomes based on those measurements and then improving project performance if those projected outcomes are unacceptable. The real challenge deception in developing a culture that values and encourages creativity despite the constant pressure of deadlines, budgets and performance metrics. As organizations grow and mature, they incline to arrange operational efficiency and control, which can inadvertently restrain their team’s productive capability. Whether it’s creating project plans, schedules, work-breakdown structures or cost estimates, planning gives your team a baseline to work with throughout the project. In this paper we will go through case study for this fast-track project and how the project control processes start from identify the aspects of control, especially in Brownfield modifications, in addition to projects successful elements start in different phases up to close out phase. This resulted in the following environmental, reliability, and cost benefits: * 1000 tons of CO2 emissions per year eliminated * $1 million per year of operating cost savings through reduced diesel fuel usage and lower maintenance costs * Project payback period of less than 6 months * Improved reliability for the overall system * Inhouse engineering saved around $ 200,000.
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Session G5 : AI-Enabled Project Control in Oil & Gas Sector & Delivery of Capital Projects
The market size of AI & ML in oil & gas reached USD 2.5 billion in 2024 and is set to grow at a 7.1% CAGR from 2025 to 2034, driven by the increasing focus on digital transformation. In today's rapidly evolving project landscape, megaprojects and 'giga projects' face increasing complexities, with over 70% experiencing schedule delays and 80% exceeding budgets. Traditional project controls are no longer sufficient to manage these high-risk, high-complexity ventures effectively. This presentation explores how AI can revolutionize project controls by enabling predictive analytics, automated benchmarking, and proactive risk management. AI is revolutionizing the oil and gas sector, streamlining processes from exploration and production to refining and distribution, AI and ML are unlocking new possibilities and addressing long-standing challenges in this complex and dynamic sector. It enhances efficiency, safety, and profitability across the value chain. This paper aims to identify and assess various applications of AI and ML in the oil and gas industry. We’ll explore how these technologies are not only improving operational performance but also contributing to safer, more sustainable practices. The fusion of big data analytics, IoT sensors, and advanced algorithms is paving the way for smarter decision-making, predictive capabilities, and autonomous operations, ultimately redefining the future of energy production and management.
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Panel discussion : Explore practical and innovative strategies in modern project control for improved delivery outcomes.
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Registration @Registration Desk | Breakfast
Mid-Morning Coffee Break @ Catering Area
Elevate Your Project Management Career with the Association of Project Managers (APM), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) Workshop
Lunch Break @ Catering Area: Standing Lunch Area
Afternoon Coffee Break @ Catering Area
Awards Drinks Reception (For Dinner Delegates ONLY )
Awards Ceremony and Black-Tie Gala Dinner
Introduction by :
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Welcome & Keynote Remarks :
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Headline Partner Remarks : Introduction To Arab Takting Management And The Transformative Potential Of The Takt Control System Within The Construction Industry.
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Session I1 : The Power of Trust : The heart of leadership, innovation and success
Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership. In this talk, we explore how trust acts as the invisible force that binds leaders and teams, fostering collaboration, resilience, and innovation. The talk begins by establishing that trust is more than a leadership trait—it's the foundation upon which all successful and innovative teams are built. Through this talk, the audience will leave with a deeper understanding of why trust is what builds legacies and future proofed organizations.
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