Current Job/Title: National E-Health Program Director – Ministry of Public Health – Lebanon
Industry: Public Health, Government
Academic and Professional Credentials: MBA, PMP®
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How do you describe the role of project manager?
A project manager is one who has a clear vision and uses the right tools to plan, manage and lead the projects. The role of a project manager is to align a team of colleagues toward a common goal to be able to deliver successful projects on time and within the budget.
The main role of the project manager is defined in these three main elements:• An integrator: properly integrate the various project management processes and coordinate the project phases throughout the lifecycle.
• A Communicator: ensure the right information is delivered at the right time
• A Leader: motivate and inspire the team to deliver the project work and in the right direction. -
How do you apply and benefit from your management skills in your life?
Being a project manager has taught me many skills that not only made me better at my job but also at my everyday life in my day to day activities. Critical thinking, problem solving, communication negotiation and time management are good examples of these skills which are used in my personal life; using these skills becomes spontaneous in your life.
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How did project management credentials help in advancing your career and knowledge?
Having a PMP certification, which is internationally recognized, is like a passport.
It is a starting point for your continuous education and learning journey.
The PMP certification along with others PMI certifications will open up new paths to further enhance your knowledge and increase your opportunities in your career growth, develop your self-confidence and gives you the ability to speak common language while communicating with your stakeholders and partners. -
Can you share with us a successful project you have worked on and its lessons learned?
From my experience, working in the public sector is very challenging; sometimes the tools and techniques to succeed in public sector aren’t the same and they don’t work in the private sector. You need to choose which tools and techniques to use and to adapt to the current situation.
As a director of the National E-Health program, I have been in charge of multiple projects that were achieved and delivered so far despite the multiple circumstances that the country has been passing through that were hindering the progress of these projects.
Working in the public sector on projects with very limited resources and in a constantly changing schedule is not easy but what I have learned so far is that perseverance and collaborative governance are the key to succeed despite all conditions and obstacles that may delay the execution of the projects. -
Any advice and recommendation you can give to other project managers
In order to succeed in your career; you need to have a clear vision and set realistic expectations.
My advice to all is to be transparent in work especially when communicating information and to accept criticism in order to improve and finally to keep on inspiring the team by being a good example and a role model.
