We have just returned from a very enjoyable and successful trip to New Orleans for Construction CPM and now its time to focus on making our Project Governance and Controls Symposium (PGCS) in Canberra equally successful!
Construction CPM is probably the world leading event for project scheduling tools and advances in the field of major project scheduling. There were nearly 300 delegates, speakers and partners attending events over 7 days (the Construction CPM conference was 3 days in the middle). The papers we presented were:
- Governing to Create Value: An organizational perspective on effective project management
- Understanding the Schedule – The Challenge of Informed Consent
The emerging trends in New Orleans were firstly risk, new tools and many papers on the challenge of uncertainty and surprisingly ethics and stakeholders (more on these later).
Project Governance and Controls Symposium (PGCS) is designed to enhance the connection between governance and project controls in government department and corporations. It’s too soon to identify the trends that will emerge in May but we already have an impressive line up of Keynote Speakers. See more at: http://www.pgcs.org.au/
Both events have an emphasis on building knowledge through networking and social events. However, the PGCS program, which includes a reception in the ADFA Officers Mess pales in comparison to Construction CPM.
Some of the things you will not see or experience in Canberra include:
Plated hot breakfasts starting at 6:30am with the first presentations at 8:00am (we run a more ‘civilised’ program starting around 9:00am……).
Our own Mardi Gras Parade……
The Konstruction Krew consisting of 250+ project controls professionals following a jazz band (complete with police escort and waving umbrellas) in their own Mardi Gras Parade through the French Quarter to Bourbon Street.
Last drinks and a locally rolled cigar at the Bourbon Heat from 9:00pm to 2:00am (if you have the staying power) When I bailed out at midnight, Bourbon Street was still going strong!!
A totally different definition of ‘Float’ – several of the official Mardi Gras Parades – each organised by a different ‘Krew’ passed in front of our hotel in Canal Street.
Charmaine Neville and her band playing inthe conference ‘Jazz Club’ from 9:00pm…….. PMOZ was renowned for its parties – Construction CPM is at least as good! In total there were 11520 ounces of alcohol consumed at the official events (plus cash purchases).
One final ‘only in New Orleans’ – ice cream daiquiris in the place they were invented……
Add 4 Keynote Speakers, 79 Breakout Sessions a mock trial, pre-arranged dinners with ‘5 new friends’ each evening and you have an intensive enjoyable learning experience.
The next Construction CPM is earlier then usual, December at the Swan Resort, Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida.
Our PGCS Symposium in Canberra will be a bit more subdued (after all there is only one ‘New Orleans’). Where we will be as good, if not better, is in the quality of the speaking program. PGCS speakers already confirmed include Lisa Wolf of Booze Hamilton Allen, Melinda Penna of Telstra, and Kim Terrell of Department of Human Services. For regular updates on the progress of PGCS see: http://www.pgcs.org.au/
Pat Weaver
Lynda Bourne
Aavssitedev's Blog