1. 17 th Meeting of the Project Management Interest Group (PMIG) held on 9 March 2009 Participant Feedback

2. Programme Theme: Essential elements of large scale project implementation Presentations: Communicating the Gautrain: Harnessing the Hurricane – Dr. Barbra Jensen (Communication and Marketing Manger: Gautrain) The Dukuduku on-site resettlement project – a case study in Public Service project management - Frikkie Brooks (KwaZulu –Natal Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs)

3. Attendance 98 confirmations were received 63 people attended National government departments and four provinces were received

4. Departments and Provinces

5. Gender Disaggregation

6. Relevance

7. Gautrain Presentation

8. Dukuduku Presentation

9. Learning points (1) Failure is not a choice, project managers need to be strong and confident PM is also a leader Communication is important and not developed enough, should be structured, planned at onset of project Proper management system needed for project implementation Keep eyes on objectives

10. Learning points (2) Importance of knowing dynamics of project context when planning a project Importance of involving stakeholders, media management and feedback, building trust, including people that will be impacted by a project Need to be innovative to influence leadership decisions Being flexible and willingness to compromise

11. Learning points (3) Complexities of projects necessitates thorough preparation, planning and dynamic leadership PM in public service is a must, it can work, good to know there are dynamic “out of the box” projects in SA that work How bigger projects face varied challenges, but it’s not beyond reach Overcome challenges that can hamper the objectives of the project

12. Learning points (4) Identification of (potential) risks and to draft a risk management strategy, not to run away from crisis How culture, environment issues, land laws impact on projects PM cannot manage projects alone Application of PM tools in a rural project that include accommodating indigenous knowledge and culture

13. Suggestions for improvement Full day sessions More time/opportunity for discussion and Q&A required Participants can also be given the opportunity to showcase their projects

14. Suggestions for future themes Project and programme management Using project examples to display part of PM Skills transfer & capacity development through a project Day to day dynamics of politically sensitive projects Establishment of baselines and evaluation of project impact

15. Suggestions for future themes (2) Launch of common Programme & Project Management system and approved in government, promotion of TAU PPM Methodologies Programme management and the National Planning Framework, its influence on methodology Technical aspects of PM

16. Suggestions for future themes (3) How to avoid scope-creep (political and otherwise) Managing projects in a bureaucratic environment Managing accounting authorities in fast- tracking completion of projects Contract management or oversight of project implementation

17. Suggestions for future themes (4) Health/HIV/AIDS project and support to Hospice for terminally ill patients Environmental and spatial dimensions involved in development projects, urban planning and settlement projects 2010 Stadia – successes and failures, how SA managed FIFA obligations Integration of PMIG presentations in Govt. communications forums

18. Suggestions for future themes (5) Stakeholder management (especially government) Implementation monitoring, how to deal with project failure Crisis communication Systems to monitor & report on RBM Include speakers from emerging PMO offices that require advice and guidance fro those in matured project management environment

19. Suggestions for future themes (6) Establishment and organisational structure of the PMO Share best practice for various sizes of projects, not only large scale projects Gender responsive perspectives of managing projects ESKOM/energy, partnerships with new power suppliers

20. PMIG Review A review of TAU is currently under way to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of the TAU Trading Entity and the CBTAF. An assessment of TAU Communities of Practice, including the PMIG is also conducted as part of the review. A separate questionnaire was distributed to representatives from government departments (43 respondents)

21. Awareness of TAU

22. Number of PMIG sessions attended

23. PMIG participation since…

24. Impact of PMIG participation