Learn more about the topics to be discussed:
Biochar: A Solution for Soil Regeneration, Sequestering Carbon and Reducing Climate Impact – what we can learn from managing a project that provides for the environment and communities
with Carolyn Dare, Online Learning Programmes, Empowered Achiever – Partner, Climate Action Taunton, Blackdown Hills Eco Hub
Over the past 2,5 years, Trimplants has been a pioneering force in collaborative research with Plymouth University and hands-on experimentation to explore the efficacy of biochar as a growing medium across various cultivation environments. We've extended this exploration from pots and trays within our commercial nursery to our community food-growing garden and thermal green walls.
By utilizing surplus materials from local farmers' hedge-rows and biomass derived from our nursery, we've also been advocating for the substantial role that biochar can play in soil restoration and the sequestration of carbon. As organisations look to offset carbon, biochar is a long term store for carbon and can be key to creating carbon sinks across many industries (construction, farming, pharma, high tech, cosmetics, food industry, sanitation etc). Biochar exhibits versatile applicability across a wide spectrum of industries, serving as a substitute for aggregate in construction materials, processing waste paper sludge, purifying water by eliminating heavy metals and pollutants, and acting as a reducing agent in metal manufacturing.
Project managers can take away important lessons from the Trimplants project, including the value of collaboration, long-term vision, sustainability, resource optimization, innovation, community engagement, measurement, adaptive management, stakeholder communication, and risk management. These principles can be applied in various project management contexts to achieve better outcomes and make a positive impact on the environment and communities.
Biochar can be derived from a wide array of biomass feedstocks, including materials such as food manufacturing waste, sewage and any substance rich in cellulose content. t's worth noting that biochar plays a significant role in advancing 8 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Who is: Carolyn Dare, Project Manager, Trimplants / Founder Blackdown Hills Eco Hub. Director, Empowered Achiever.u Trustee Climate Action Taunton Blackdown Hills, Somerset, UK
Carolyn is a Learning Transfer and Behavioural Change Consultant with a vast professional background as a consultant, coach, and trainer, primarily collaborating with senior executives within large organizations. Her true passion lies in systemic approaches that forge connections and bridges between organizations, society, the environment, and individuals.
Three years ago, Carolyn embarked on a mission to establish two Climate Emergency Centers in her local community: The Blackdown Hills Eco Hub and Climate Action Taunton. Within the Eco Hub, she has spearheaded various initiatives, bringing together Trimplants, community groups, specialists, and researchers from Plymouth University. Together, they have developed innovative solutions for repurposing natural materials often perceived as waste into valuable resources for soil regeneration, with a focus on biochar. Trimplants currently produces and supplies biochar to various eco-conscious enterprises and is incorporating it into the entire plant cultivation process within their nursery operations. So over time any plant sold will sequester carbon and create a valuable mini microbe habitat in its new location. Carolyn frequently delivers presentations on biochar to diverse audiences, including environmental organisations, business professionals, farmers, growers, compost enthusiasts, local government organizations and associations.vAdditionally, Carolyn serves as the Secretary for the local Blackdown Hills Transition Group, actively promoting and facilitating numerous community projects. These include fostering a thriving Blackdown Hills, spearheading Churchinford 2030 projects like Community Energy, Rewilding, and Food initiatives, as well as supporting endeavours such as Jim's Repair Shed and Apple Days.
Prior to her current ventures, Carolyn conducted extensive research alongside Mike Smith into learning transfer, culminating in the development of the TransferLogix platform and the Empowered Achiever App. This app empowers individuals to identify and overcome unconscious barriers that might impede their ability to apply newfound knowledge and embrace behavioural change. Furthermore, she collaborated on the Introduction to Learning Transfer MOOC with the University of California, which has garnered over 5600 registered participants to date.
Sustainability = Purpose-Prosperity-Innovation
with Rudi Plettinx, CEO and Senior Partner Business Strategy and Leadership, Susteneri Group, CEO Advisor, NED Board Member, ESG Board Advisor
A new opportunity for PM to make a critical difference? Preparations are now well underway for the COP28 taking place in Abu Dhabi in November/December20223. The COP (“Conference of Parties”) 28 will bring together leaders, organisations and individuals committed to addressing the pressing and vital issues facing the planet in terms of the environment and related matters.
But at the same time, even while we see a growing interest in ESG (Environment, Social and Governance), it seems that not everyone in the business community is entirely conversant with what all these things mean nor what the implications are for their organisations if they fail to pay close attention. Recognising that it is a tall order to address all issues pertaining to organisational responses to the sustainable business transformation – to attempt to “boil the ocean” - in this article we zero in on the role of the project manager in contributing to the advancement of the sustainability agenda for their organisations.
Who is: Rudi Plettinx, CEO and Senior Partner Business Strategy and Leadership, Susteneri Group, CEO Advisor, NED Board Member, ESG Board Advisor
Rudi is CEO and Co-Founder, SusteneriGroup, Partner FutureWork Forum and Member Virtual Advisory Board, Senior Advisor STS, Ambassador Industry 5.0, ESG Board Advisor of The ForeverGreen Group. He is a forward thinking, competitive and collaborative senior-level executive with extensive experience in Sustainability, CSR, transferable B2B solutions, leadership and management development, culture and change management. Rudi possess a strong P&L track record in executive leadership strategy in all disciplines of leading business transformation. He has proven expertise in recruiting and developing staff and teams, establishing strategic partnerships, as well as new business opportunities and partnerships across EMEA and Globally. Rudi is an expert in building consultative teams leading organisational change, consulting services, needs analysis, process improvements.
Sustainability challenges in complex construction projects: the case of the Astir Marina in Vouliagmeni
with Dr. Antonis Panas, IPMA-D, General Director TEKAL S.A., President of PEDMEDE Companies Section
Contemporary construction projects face multiple challenges since they are realized in a complex environment. Project managers have to be able to address issues related to all aspects of sustainability. Using a prestigious project, such as the Astir Marina redevelopment in Vouliagmeni, as a case study, this presentation analyzes certain aspects that challenged the project management team: stakeholder management, logistics coordination, environmental issues and contract management. Lessons learned stemming from the practical experience of managing the project form the backbone of the team's managerial stance and philosophy.
Who is Antonis Panas: Antonis Panas is a Civil Engineer and has graduated from the National Technical University of Athens. He holds an M.Sc. in Construction Management from Loughborough University and a Ph.D. from the Centre for Construction Innovation. His academic interests lie in the area of Construction Project Management and Performance Benchmarking. He has extensive professional experience in managing complex infrastructure projects and currently holds the position of the president of the Construction Companies section for the Panhellenic Association of Engineers Contractors of Public Works (PEDMEDE).
Sustainability: Circular Supply Chains and Project Management Modern commercial environment is changing rapidly and fundamentally.
with Franco Petocchi, Founder & Managing Partner at Accirculate
New demands and increasingly stringent legislations and standards are being placed on enterprise leadership to compete globally and to accelerate resilient and sustainable solutions like the transition to Net-Zero and Circularity, as well as to motivate high functioning inclusive team performance. Furthermore, driven by the current energy and commodity crisis, global supply chains are under severe pressure for constant shortages and disruptions. How companies meet these challenges and be ready to address new needs will make the difference between winning and losing in the global hyper-competitive 21st century. The presentation connects the dots and provides insights on the importance to change mindsets, to develop organizational culture & new capabilities, and to broad collaboration at ecosystem level for transitioning towards circular supply chains and ultimately to a greener & digital economy. A perspective is provided on ‘why’ sound Project Portfolio- Programme- and Project Management expertise and capabilities are key success factors to address the complexity of the multitransformational and multi-dimensional challenging horizon in front of us today and even more in the future.
Who is Franco Petocchi: Franco is an entrepreneur, international advisor and senior manager with more than 25 years of integrated consulting and industry experience in supply chain & logistics. At Accirculate, a Brussels-based niche consulting firm focused on Circular Supply Chains and broadly covering the environmental sustainability field, Franco established an international community of experienced professionals, academics and entrepreneurs dedicated to “accelerate circularity” in supply chains. Today, Accirculate is active in EU research & innovation programmes, professional training and consulting services.
As an Affiliated Training Provider of the PM² Alliance , Accirculate trainings cover and integrate its core expertise in Circular Supply Chains, Circular Economy and project portfolio-, programme- & project management. Prior to his role at Accirculate, Franco held senior management positions at global, regional and local levels, including Head of Project Portfolio Office at DHL Express Europe. He delivered major operational and technological transformation and integration programmes and projects in industry leading corporations, including Accenture, Panalpina and the DHL Group. Franco holds an Executive MBA degree from SDA Bocconi, IT and International Courses diplomas from United Nations University, JP. He complemented his academic background with executive and online courses on Supply Chain Management at MIT CTL US and MITx, and Circular Economy at TUDelft, Leiden University and WBCSD.
How AI is changing the game in drug discovery and biotech entrepreneurship
with Florence Bosco, Biotech Business Developer, BVI.eu
Drug discovery and development is a high-risk process with attrition rate of 95%, taking 15 years and $2,5Bn to bring a new drug to patients. AI is changing the game in drug discovery because it is a unique opportunity to use humans as a model for humans and to navigate the entire biological and chemical space as never before. More than that AI is transforming biotech entrepreneurship because by assembling the right multi-omics data sets, the right machine learning algorithms and high-performance computing power, biotech entrepreneurs can start from target discovery and significantly shorten first-in-human readiness time. Therefore, AI is poise to create a paradigm change in the biopharmaceutical industry by enabling disruptive practices in the R&D process that will significantly increase productivity and odds of success
Florence Bosco, Biotech Business Developer, BVI.eu
Who is: Florence Bosco is a civil engineer in chemical process engineering from UMONS - FPMs. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Genetics and Genomics from Stanford University, an Executive Certificate in AI for Pharma and Biotech from MIT and a Certificate in Inspirational Leadership from IMD. She has 20 years' experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, first as an R&D engineer, then as product development manager, then as innovation project leader and finally as CEO of Brussels South Charleroi BioPark and of biotech startup Akina Pharmaceuticals. Throughout her career, she has specialized in capturing global scientific and industrial trends and leveraging them in the local economy, as well as coordinating large collaborative innovation projects in the biopharma/healthcare sector. She is currently Head of Biotech Business Development at BVI.EU for QUANTUM BIOSPACE new TechBio science park. She recently published a white paper in collaboration with Pr Benoît Macq entitled 'How AI is changing the game in drug discovery and entrepreneurship'
Exploring key ESG metrics relevant to project management
with Antonis Spanos, Authorized EFQM international Trainer, Sustainability Expert
This conference topic delves into the intersection of project management and key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics. Project management's vital role in delivering ESG objectives, initiatives, metrics, and KPIs is explored, emphasizing the reciprocal influence between project delivery and ESG success. It also distinguishes the essential metrics for ESG-conscious organizations and the critical success factors for both ESG alignment and successful project delivery.
Uncertainty is a shared challenge in ESG and project management, further compounded by evolving global trends. The abstract examines strategies for risk mitigation in both domains, emphasizing the central role of project management in assessing risks related to ESG project financing. This conference topic provides a holistic perspective on how project management can enhance ESG integration and contribute to organizational sustainability in an ever-changing landscape.
Who is: Antonis Spanos, Authorized EFQM international Trainer, Sustainability Expert
Mr. Spanos is a highly experienced expert in supporting more than 200 organizations in Europe, North Africa and Greece, in the implementation and operation of management systems, such as human resources management, performance management, quality, safety and health standards, environmental management standards, efficiency (5S), customer service etc. He has extensive experience as surveyor and in designing and establishng 5S work flow signalling systems, house keeping safety systems and environmental management systems for large factories. He is also experienced in setting up Performance management systems (BBSC dashboard, process matrix, target setting).
He specializes in quality management and accreditation based on the EFQM excellence standards as an Authorized EFQM 2020 Version Assessor and Trainer. He is GRI-G4 sustainability reports certified trainer and he is also Certified by European business Ethics Network. He has extensive experience in CSR initiatives working with many organizations across Europe.
He is the author of the CSR Manual for the Government of Cyprus. He has designed the Management Model and Excellence Award for the Government of Lebanon under the EUROPAID Program and he is the Editor of the official EFQM Marine Management Version. He has also provided his services as a management auditor to the Prime Minister’s Office of the United Arab Emirates. He is the author of 2 management books used by Universities and has developed in total 40 manuals on management tools. He has a BSC in Mathematics and Computer Science from the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, a BSc in Management from LOMA Atlanta Georgia and an MSc by Troy University.
Leveraging the power of data for effective Project and Portfolio Management
with Ilias Katsagounos, PM², PMP, RMP, M_o_R, IT Portfolio Officer at European Commission
This presentation delves into the vital realm of Data Analytics and Data-Driven Project and Portfolio Management. It's no secret that data is a goldmine in the digital age, and this presentation will elucidate why embracing data-driven decision-making is imperative for any organization. We will explore the 'Why' - discussing the tangible benefits and competitive advantages of this approach. The 'How' will be covered by delving into methodologies, tools, and best practices for harnessing data to manage projects and portfolios more effectively.
For 'What to Have in Place,' we will discuss the key elements that must be in order, from data collection and storage to analytics capabilities, to implement data-driven management successfully. Furthermore, we will explore the 'Challenges if We Do Not Do It,' highlighting the potential pitfalls of ignoring data and relying on intuition or outdated methods.
To provide a global perspective, we'll present 'Global Best Practices' in Data-Driven Project and Portfolio Management, drawing insights from leading organizations and industry standards. Concrete 'Examples from the Market' will be shared to demonstrate the real-world impact of data-driven decision-making. This presentation will inspire, educate, and empower organizations to leverage the untapped potential of data for more informed, strategic, and successful project and portfolio management.
Who is: Ilias Katsagounos, PM², PMP, RMP, M_o_R, IT Portfolio Officer at European Commission
Dr. Ilias Katsagounos possesses over twenty-five years of experience across personnel development, team building, and operational capacity enhancement. His expertise encompasses Project/Portfolio Management, Risk Management, and Strategic Management by Objectives, with a notable specialization in EU Funded Projects.
Currently serving as an IT Portfolio Officer in the Directorate General for Informatics at the European Commission, Dr. Katsagounos actively contributes to the strategic management of the Commission's portfolio of digital solutions. His role closely aligns with the Commission's recent Corporate Digital Strategy, where data-driven decision-making plays a pivotal role.
Throughout his career, Dr. Katsagounos has exhibited his expertise in Project and Portfolio Management, through the provision of target consulting services, capacity building activities and tailored trainings, leveraging the power of the European Commission’s relevant methodologies (among others). In these roles, he consistently emphasized Quality Management and Performance Management, showcasing his expertise in data-driven decision-making. His academic journey includes the achievement of a master's degree in techno-economic systems and a Ph.D. diploma in Economics and Risk Management. Complementing his academic achievements, Dr. Katsagounos holds multiple certifications, on Project and Risk Management (I.e. PM2, PMP, RMP, M_o_R), as well as on PMISs, like Microsoft Project, OpenProject etc.
Fluent in Greek, English, and French, Dr. Katsagounos's rich experience is rooted in the very essence of data-driven decision-making and portfolio management, making him a distinguished resource in the realm of data analytics driven decision making.
The National Cybersecurity Strategy 2020-2025: Cascading from mission statement to a project-based approach
with Ioannis Alexakis, Head of Directorate for Cybersecurity Strategic Planning, National Cybersecurity Authority, Ministry of Digital Governance
We will present the strategic approach and operational planning in the cybersecurity domain of the Ministry Of Digital Governance/National Cybersecurity Authority, through the National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 – 2025 (NCSS 2020-2025). Reference is made to the specific challenges of the cyber security public policy domain at EU and national level, as well as the key elements that comprise the national whole-of-government approach to this critical area. The national governance system is analyzed and, specifically, the way the cybersecurity strategy lifecycle is implemented: from strategy development, and execution, to strategy evaluation and maintenance. Specific areas of interest are highlighted, such as the structure of the NCSS 2020-2025 itself, the methodology of providing feedback, as well as evaluation and continuous monitoring of the emblematic activities implementation. Strategic alignment of the available resources, through detailed investment mapping and establishing systematic stakeholder collaborations, is highlighted as a key element to strategy implementation. In this respect, we primarily focus on the methodology followed in the context of DG REFORM Technical Support Instrument, with the utilization of technical assistance for the implementation of the Cyber Security Strategy, with the collaboration of Expertise France.
Who is: Ioannis Alexakis. Ioannis Alexakis is a public administration professional specializing in cybersecurity public policy. From 2020 he is Director for Cyber Security Strategic Planning in the National Cybersecurity Authority / Ministry of Digital Governance of Greece (NCSA). Prior to this post, he has been Director for Security Policy in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as well as Data Protection Officer in the same Ministry (2017-2020). He has gained extensive experience in applied strategic management in the public sector, by serving in several Ministries (Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Digital Governance) from various posts. He is a graduate of the National School of Public Administration (2006, subject area: Administration & Central Government), the University of Athens (2009, MSc in “Public Policy and the State” and Bachelor of Laws - LLB, 2004 ), as well as the University of Wales (1999 Bachelor of Laws - LLB). He currently specializes in strategic and regulatory priorities in the cybersecurity domain both at EU and national level, as well as coordinating certain cyber security projects and emblematic actions of NCSA, such as the drafting and implementation monitoring of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2020-2025. Furthermore, he has a strong interest in cybersecurity technologies, Information Security Management System implementation and privacy protection in cyberspace, having relevant certifications, academic background, and work experience.
Sustainability Considerations in Organisational Portfolio Management
with Nicos Kourounakis, MAsc, MBA, PM², IPMA-D, PMP, PM² Alliance CEO, Senior Consultant - Methodologies at European Commission & European Parliament – Luxembourg
Over the past decade, sustainability has indeed gained prominence as a buzzword, but its significance extends far beyond that. It has become a foundational principle profoundly influencing the strategies and operations of many organisation. This concept is grounded in three interconnected pillars encompassing economic, environmental, and social dimensions, and calls for a holistic and responsible approach to the selection, execution, and operationalisation of organisational investments.
This presentation explores the multifaceted landscape of sustainability in organisational portfolio management. It emphasises the pivotal role of integrating sustainability considerations into portfolio management frameworks, the importance of aligning strategic objectives with sustainability goals, and the imperative to confront and overcome the adversaries that hinder the realization of responsible and purposeful outcomes.
While the incorporation of sustainability considerations within organisational methodologies is fundamental, its transformative impact is magnified when strategic and portfolio objectives prioritise sustainability as a core principle. However, the pursuit of sustainability in organisational portfolios faces formidable adversaries, ranging from short-term thinking and bureaucratic inertia to resource mismanagement, ignorance, and resistance to change. Recognizing these adversaries is the initial step toward mitigating their impact.
Who is Nicos Kourounakis: Nicos Kourounakis is a Management Consultant, a Trainer and an Author. Over the past 13 years, he has been leading consulting projects at major EU Institutions such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Central Bank, the European Investment Bank, and several EU Agencies across Europe. He is also a founding member and the President of the PM² Alliance.
Nicos has also been involved in international projects in Canada, the United Kingdom, and across Europe, working both with large organizations as well as with smaller ventures and start-ups.
He is the Author of the PfM² Guide for Portfolio Management (December 2021) and the PgM² Methodology for Programme Management (June 2022), and the Co-Author of several European Commission Publications such as the PM² Project Management Methodology Guide (2012, 2016, 2018), the Agile PM² Guide (2014), the PM²-PPM Portfolio Management Guide (2017), the ITSRM Guide on IT Security Risk Management (2020) and the ENGAGE 2.0 Methodologies of the European Parliament (2022).
He holds an MBA from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, a MASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Victoria, Canada, and a BSc in Physics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He has also achieved several Certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, IPMA-D, PM² and Agile PM².
Harmonizing Project Management and Testing Methodologies: Strategies for Quality Assurance and Project Success
with Athina Skandalou, Project Manager, Trasys
The presentation is going to share approaches for optimizing project success through the seamless integration of project management and testing processes. By examining the interplay between these two critical elements, organizations can uncover opportunities to enhance collaboration, mitigate risks, and improve overall project efficiency. The presentation explores methodologies to synchronize project timelines, resource utilization, and communication strategies between project managers and testing teams. Emphasizing the importance of early identification and resolution of issues, the slot is intending to advocate for a holistic approach that fosters a unified vision and shared objectives. Tangible benefits of aligning project management and testing efforts are intended to be shared. Implementing the proposed approach not only ensures the delivery of functional requirements but also elevates the quality standards of the project, contributing significantly to its overall success.
Who is Athina Skandalou: Athina Skandalou is a Prince2 certified Technical Project Manager and a consultant for the last 5 years (Data Management system, Submission application system, XML document creation tool for industry, Invoice engine). Previously also addressed in roles, Functional & Business analyst, QA & Testing automation engineer, Data Engineer, Adult IT trainer in Telco, European projects, Banking sector, and Adult Education. In the latest years, experiencing mainly, Java applications and Oracle solutions, and having been recently introduced in managing products on Azure Cloud technologies for Data solutions. Main approach working with in the above career path is the Agile methodology (following Scrum-but process); recently introduced in SAFe framework. Athina is a piano player, she loves travelling, watching theater, and doing yoga.
Managing organizational change: jump or fry?
with Luc Hendrickx, Senior Consultant, Global Business Management Consultants
Managing strategic change is essential to implement change successfully in organisations. We see that many are well aware and understand that ongoing change is mandatory to remain relevant in today’s ever-more-rapidly changing environment. Yet, a fair number of organisations simply fail to get onto the path of deliberate change and eventually render themselves obsolete. Others do engage in efforts to make significant changes. Unfortunately, most of these efforts do not work. We seem to hit the stumbling block of change resistance preventing us from fundamentally modifying the way we do things to make a new vision a reality. We generally succeed fairly well in fine-tuning and making small improvements but tend to be far less successful when it comes to making more significant strategic changes. Even when executives realise that their current business model is at the end of its shelf life, there is often an overpowering reluctance to decide whether to ”jump or fry”. Why is this?
Who is: Luc brings more than 30 years of global work experience in project and programme management, management training, governance consultancy and executive coaching in international healthcare and trade associations, and in the corporate and public sectors. He takes a keen interest in strategic development, business processes, operational implementation, risk and change management, policy governance and executive coaching. He is oriented towards strategic vision, planning and operational excellence.
As a Senior Consultant with Global Business Management Consultants (GBMC), Luc has been a dedicated project management trainer since 2014. In his project management training, he is particularly appreciated for spicing up and linking theory to practical examples from his own field experience, giving a sense of reality and ”can do” to theoretical concepts and models.
He held executive positions in European and international medical not-for-profit associations. For many years, he has been Project Director leading multi-year, large-scale international projects worldwide. As Chief Operating Officer of a leading, global congress and association management company, he was responsible for a number of offices around the world. In this role, he developed a long-term strategic reorientation and implementation plan with a specific focus on global integration, aligned the supply chain and introduced operational processes largely based on project management methodology.
Stay tuned for more topics to be announced.
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