Using Agile Project Management to Lead a Multidisciplinary Research Program A Real World Example

Using Agile Project Management to Lead a Multidisciplinary Research Program A Real World Example
Speaker: Sandra Mandic, PhD, PMP
Director, AGILE Research Ltd., Wellington
Host on behalf of PMIKSA
Mohammad Ali Shalan
Topic Summary:
Leading academic research projects and teams requires extensive project management skills - in addition to research-specific knowledge. Yet the project management side of academic research is often overlooked and not included in academic/research training. As a result, many academic research endeavours fail to reach their full potential in delivering outputs and societal benefits.
In this talk, Sandra will share the project and programme management layers of the BEATS Study journey from a pilot project to an award-winning, internationally recognised research programme. Using the agile project management knowledge, processes and tools - linked with transformational leadership and strategic planning - have been the key to the BEATS Research Programme’s success to deliver value, adapting to challenges, embracing new opportunities, maintaining quality and productivity, and remain sustainable in the long-term.
Speaker biography (short):
Sandra Mandic, PhD, PMP is the founder and the director of the research consultancy AGILE Research Ltd. (www.agileresearch.nz).
She is also the founder and the leader of the award-winning Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Research Programme, Adjunct Professor at Auckland University of Technology, and author of two books linking project management and academic research.
Sandra’s personal and professional experience span nine cities across five countries and three continents - including Europe, Canada, United States and New Zealand.
Host on behalf of PMIKSA
Mohammad Ali Shalan
VP Digital Transformation PMI KSA
Mohammad Shalan is the editor of a book titled “Innovative and Agile Contracting for Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0” that was published by IGI Global in 2021.
He is an author, guest speaker and researcher with published books, chapters, articles, and presentations. Adding to being a well certified professional, multidiscipline motivated business-technology interpreter. Moreover, he is a passionate advocate of Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0 Governance, Innovative Contracts and Smart Resilient Cities Ecosystems.
Since 1995, Mohammad has worked out major operational assignments, portfolios, programs, and projects spanning in more than 50 countries with distributed activities, multiple vendors, numerous dependencies, heavy correspondences, and multi-discipline contractors.
Currently Mohammad Shalan is working as the PMO Director for E-Enterprise - Omar Kassem Alesayi Group in Saudi Arabia and Volunteering as the Vice President of Digital Transformation for the Saudi Chapter of Project Management Institute (PMI).