Calendar of Events

PMINAC updated chapter bylaws passed in special resolution meeting!

By Sue Hagen, vice president of administration - March 14, 2018

Thanks to all our intrepid chapter members who came out on a chilly March 14, 2018 to vote on the updated PMINAC chapter bylaws.

"The whole process started over three years ago," says Phil Beck, chapter president. "With the last updates to our chapter bylaws in May 2012, a lot of changes have happened since then that we wanted to reflect in these updates."

The primary drivers for updating the chapter bylaws include wanting to align with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and enabling the introduction of e-voting for board member elections. PMIHQ also provided us with a new template, which we updated to align with Canadian Press standards and Government of Alberta requirements.

The PMINAC board of directors established a sub-team to review, provide feedback, and re-review. "This was a highly iterative process," says Bakhtawar Pastakia, president elect. "In addition to our small task force, we also had the support of our Region 1 Mentor, John Naughton, as well as several meetings with the PMIHQ administration. It was all of this expertise, input and support that helped get these updates approved."

There are 11 articles included in the PMINAC chapter bylaws, with most of the updates reflected in articles 4 through 8. We received preliminary approval from PMIHQ on January 11, 2018, and sanction from the PMINAC board of directors on January 29, 2018.

Following Robert's Rules of Order, chapter members went through the voting process on March 14, 2018. The motion to accept the updated chapter bylaws was passed with quorum and by majority.

"We're so pleased to get these bylaw updates over the finish line!" says Sue Hagen, vice president of administration. "Kudos to our three Ps - Phil Beck, Bill Walkhouse and Bakhtawar Pastakia, as well as Bernice Gordon, our director of policy, for their input, persistence and determination. With this key administrative work completed, we can carry on with the business of delivering real value to our chapter members."

Summary of updates to PMINAC chapter bylaws:

• New chapter bylaw template - provided by PMI Headquarters
• Format - updated to align with Canadian Press standard
• Compliance - with Government of Alberta requirements
• Articles - content updated as outlined below:
  • Article 1 Name, Principal Office, Other Offices - no material changes.
  • Article 2 Relationship to PMI - no material changes.
  • Article 3 Defining and Interpreting the Bylaws - no material changes.
  • Article 4 Objectives of the Chapter - updated to reflect current chapter mission, vision, guiding principles and chapter objectives.
  • Article 5 General Membership provisions - updated to align with Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
  • Article 6 Governance of the Chapter - updated to reflect current board roles, responsibilities and terms of office.
  • Article 7 Finance - updated to reflect current financial practices.
  • Article 8 Meetings of the Chapter - updated to reflect current meeting practice and PMI standard; aligns with Roberts Rules of Order.
  • Article 9 Indemnification - no material changes.
  • Article 10 Amendments - updated to reflect PMI standard.
  • Article 11 Dissolution - updated to reflect PMI standard.

PMINAC bylaw Version 6.0 DRAFT

Current PMINAC bylaw Version 5

Presentation Topic: Project Fails Due to Ineffective Work Breakdown Structure

PRESENTER: Gholan Medalla, BsCE, PMP 

We have heard repeatedly the popular saying in Project Management “how do you eat a big elephant?” The answer, “one piece at a time”. This is the basic principle of applying what is called Work Breakdown Structure or commonly known as WBS. It visually defines the scope into manageable chunks that a project team can understand, as each level of the work breakdown structure provides further definition and details. Seems basic? Not Really! And believe it or not, a lot of projects that failed to correctly set up their WBS from the early stages of the work, find difficulty in executing tasks. Reporting project status becomes problematic and managing interfaces becomes an uphill battle.

Remember, WBS is not a mere scheduling principle but serves as the best platform to work through your overall Execution Plans and Strategies. Not only it sets the stage for better scope, schedule and cost management, it also allows for an effective implementation of initiatives to improve reporting, progress metrics, integration and continuous improvements. Surprisingly as well, an adequately established WBS can help eliminate inter-discipline interfaces, promotes better accountability and induce healthy competition amongst project engineers. Thus, leading to a significant improvement in project performance.   

Expected Key Takeaways for Participants:

The participants will have a better appreciation on the importance of a properly implemented WBS system. More importantly, shall learn the major do’s and don’ts on the development of the WBS level and its resulting benefits and consequences respectively.

Gholan Medalla, BsCE, PMP  (gmedalla@thinkhighlevel.com)

Gholan has over 20 years of hands on Project Management and Project Controls experience.  This is with various overseas assignments such as Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iraq, Oman, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and the Philippines. He has worked with the big industry players such as Saudi Aramco (current), Exxon Mobil (IOL), Total, Siemens, Oracle, Kiewit Energy to name a few, with programs ranging from US$ 1B to US$ 5B and Mega Projects costing US$ 9B to US$ 15B.

He specializes in planning & project controls (claims and forensic analysis background), and with substantial experience in design, project execution, estimating, cost, contracting and risk management. He has also implemented, maintained and lead developments of robust Project Controls Systems, tools, KPIs, and processes. His background has strong emphasis on “real project” – “hands on” experience.

Gholan contributes articles to various Project Management blog sites. He has done multiple workshops and guest speaking engagement with various non-profit PM and Engineering Organization in Canada, Asia and the Middle East. He is currently working on completing his book entitled “Project Management Simplified – real project issues resolved”.

Agenda:

 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Welcome and Networking

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Business portion including vote on special resolution

6:30 PM - 7:20 PM Dinner

7:20 PM - 8:20 PM Presentation

8:20 PM - 8:30 PM Questions and Closing

Regular Price: $55

Member Price: $48

Note:  You must log in to get the member discount or get the Business only (no dinner) option.

If you are not a Chapter member yet, check out our Guest Pass Program! You may be eligible for free membership!