CQU academic’s project management plan for north

A CQU academic says two-thirds of jobs created in northern Queensland are likely to involve project management.

A Central Queensland University academic says two- thirds of jobs created in northern Queensland are likely to be project-driven or involve project management.

CQU project management leader Richard Egelstaff says the discipline is critical to opening up the northern half of Australia to investment, and says the workforce needs to transition to meet it.

Egelstaff, who is based in Rockhampton, says training competent project managers is essential to avoid mega-project failures such as the Queensland Health payroll system and the indigenous intervention.

“That’s why we are employing new project management academics with a diverse range of domain specialisations — for example, welfare, infrastructure and IT projects all have different approaches — to ensure the next generation of project managers is up to the task,” Egelstaff says.

“The move to project-driven firms is a massive global phenomenon — about half the world economy is involved — but especially relevant in tropical Australia where we are opening up infrastructure. If you can’t define a project, break it down, consult stakeholders, explore risks, sequence work, implement it and then monitor and control it, it’s going to be a turkey of a project.”

20 for Hall of Fame

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston and international chef Stephanie Alexander are among a group of 20 women inducted into the HerBusiness Hall of Fame this year.

The organisation, previously known as the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, established its Hall of Fame in 1998 to recognise women from diverse backgrounds and industries who have overcome challenges to succeed.

Chief executive Suzi Dafnis said the women selected demonstrated exemplary entrepreneurship and were shining examples for women starting their own business.

Other inductees include Kym Clark from She’s Empowered, the Sapphire Group’s Nicole Eckels and Beverley Honig from Greenville Developments & Honeylight enterprises.

Workplace overhaul

Online temp work agency Nvoi says traditional workplace models are nearing their use-by dates and the findings of a recent Deloitte Access Economics report show how organisations will have to adapt.

Nvoi chief executive Warwick Kirby says there is a shift towards a skills-based and on-demand economy, and for businesses to innovate, compete and survive they will need access to the right skills at the right time.

He says the emergence of global freelance marketplaces for off-site small-project virtual work are providing platforms for contractors offering businesses the opportunity to outsource, often at a lower cost, without the costly overheads and permanent hires.

“To future-proof our workforce, businesses should look towards a more flexible, agile and innovative workforce, where people will showcase their skills to those that need them, and create a competency-based, personalised, lifelong learning model — one that can rapidly evolve to the changing needs of business,” Kirby says.

Women’s workshop

International author and motivational speaker Michael Grinder will run a workshop for women in business networking group Behind Closed Doors in Adelaide on Monday and Tuesday.

The workshop is aimed at senior businesswomen and men and will focus on why people are missing opportunities in the boardroom and around the executive table. Details: www.behindcloseddoors.com.