Never has there been a time more important than the present to be a project management professional in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The scale of development and the pipeline of opportunities in Saudi Arabia are like nothing the world has seen before. According to a recent report by the US Saudi Business Council, the construction sector in Saudi Arabia maintained its growth momentum in Q3 of 2022 with contracts worth US$6.7 billion awarded during the period. Moreover, the report added that this strong growth was underpinned by multiple Vision Realisation Programs in sub-sectors such as tourism, housing, and infrastructure development.
As a project management professional, I’m proud to have witnessed this amazing growth momentum first-hand. From helping answer Riyadh’s future transit needs as a practicing architect on the Riyadh Metro, through to helping create the world’s largest urban park as a project management professional in the creation of Riyadh’s ‘Green Lung’, King Salman Park, I’m proud to have accomplished great things and to drive my ambitions to learn more and achieve greater things in my career.
Collaborating with project management’s finest minds
Like my fellow Saudis, I’m proud to be driving positive change for the future of my home country.
However, one of my proudest career highlights has nothing to do with the projects I have led; instead, it is linked to the individuals I’ve worked with.
During my six and a half years of professional experience, I have had the pleasure of working with many talented and proactively dedicated employees in the field of Project and Construction Management. I am thankful for the opportunity to work within such a passionate and motivated environment. Not only has this given me the chance to collaborate with some of project management finest minds, but it has also allowed me to apply and expand my knowledge to deliver the highest quality of work.
As stated by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, young talented Saudis are the future leaders for the Kingdom. Our Saudi workforce participation is in a good position. This is driven by the new waves of young Saudis joining the labour force and contributing to the realisation of Saudi Vision 2030.
In the current cycle of development, we are in a unique position to be able to learn from the global industry’s best minds in order to participate in skills transfer and knowledge sharing. This is an essential step in order to help Saudi talent build deep industry knowledge and understanding of the crucial areas for future development.
As more of the younger population pursue higher education and go on to gain real-world experience from multi-national organisations, the collective pool of knowledge will help the youth boost national capabilities and play a growing role in the national economy.
There is no greater feeling than accomplishment
As our nation gears up to activate the huge potential of Saudi’s economy and society, future generations of project management experts have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy and to help the nation achieve the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The project management field has a large role to play as a major strategic driver through developing capabilities and enabling our human talents to unlock new solutions to the most pressing challenges.
At the end of the day, there is no greater feeling than that of accomplishment – and this is something I strive to achieve through hard work and dedication to my chosen profession. Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to work in such a diverse and inspiring field and look forward to creating new challenges and opportunities.
With the right dedication, you can go on to make significant contributions in the field of project management.
Here are 4 key tips for achieving this ambition:
- First and foremost, don’t underestimate the value of acquiring a solid background in project management theory and practice.
- Secondly, be prepared for obstacles, shifts in direction, and the occasional setback.
- Thirdly, don’t forget the importance of communication and delegation.
- Finally, surround yourself with people who can mentor, inspire, and challenge you.
For Saudis in particular, make sure to gain experience in the field, practice communication and delegation, and build a strong network of contacts. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge and appreciate the culture and traditions of Saudi Arabia in order to use these traditional principles of resourcefulness, wisdom, and leadership to manage projects. Combined with a strong foundation of experience in project management, these characteristics will help you make the greatest impact on the future of our country.
