How Understanding Culture Is the Secret to International Project Success
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes As globalisation grows today, project management in today’s world increases in complexity. Technological issues, infrastructure and environmental factors are all examples of the impacts of globalisation on projects. There is also an increased global competition and the search for a sustainable competitive advantage grows in importance. Hence, it is important for project managers to adapt to today’s demands by having the right skill sets. Culture also plays a huge role when dealing with international business deals, as culture profoundly influences how people think, communicate, and behave. The great diversity of the world’s cultures…
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Billing Fraud and How to Spot them
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Combating procurement fraud is vital due to the disastrous impacts’ procurement fraud brings. In Southeast Asia, procurement fraud costs US$140billion each year. Nearly all organisations will have been victims of procurement fraud and the consequences can be much greater than the value of the fraud. The most common types of fraud include kickbacks and bribes, bidding, variation abuse, billing, undisclosed interest, contract specifications and personal interest. Here is a list of the most common procurement fraud schemes: Bribes and Kickbacks Collusive Bidding by Contractors Change Order Abuse Co-Mingling of Contracts Conflict of Interest Excluding Qualified…
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Understanding Commissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Projects
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Project commissioning is the process of assuring that all systems, components and processes of an industrial plant are according to the operational requirements of the owner or final client. This includes process verification and documenting that the facility and all its system components and assemblies are designed, installed, tested and operated to meet the project requirement of individual units and systems. A commissioning process may be applied not only to new projects but also to existing units and systems subject to expansion, renovation or revamping. The commissioning activity consists of checking and testing all…
Read MoreWhy Attend a Training Course with Opus Kinetic?
While there are many training providers out there, a good training provider is able to understand and customise the training course according to your needs. When choose a training provider, look out for one that is led by a subject matter expert who has a deep understanding of the industry and topic at hand. Avoid generalised course agendas and ensure that the learning materials provided are relevant and up to industry standards. Here at Opus Kinetic, we ensure we provide quality, well-researched courses that sets us apart from the rest. ISO: 29990:2010 accredited The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)…
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Why Are Cost Controls & Scheduling Important for a Project’s Success?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes The foundation of project management involves managing costs and scheduling. They are strategic elements to ensure efficiency and profitability, and successful integration of project schedule and cost will ensure project success. Scheduling projects allows your projects to be completed in a timely, quality, and financially responsible manner. To keep projects on track, set realistic time frames, assign resources appropriately and manage quality to decrease product errors. Budgeting 80% of project costs and schedules are underestimated during the planning process. The two most common factors that lead to project delay and increased in project…
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Top 5 Best Oil and Gas Training Companies in Singapore
The Oil and Gas industry has always been playing an important role in everyday’s life. However, with the emergence of new sources, business models and companies, significant changes in the industry can be observed. As international demands for the products of oil and gas industry soars to a new height each year coupled with the challenges faced currently, it is crucial that the professionals in the Oil and Gas industry recognizes the need of keeping up with the advancements through learning and self-improvements to ensure competencies and be equipped with a competitive advantage. Without further ado, let’s dive in and…
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Understanding A Contractor’s Capabilities and Readiness to Perform
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Refineries, petrochemical plants and power plants are all major investments. Ongoing care and maintenance of the assets can involve up to 50% of the initial capital investment over the life of the plant. Increasing use of process plants by contractors is used to so support the maintenance and turnarounds of the plants, and contractors are developing specialised and focused capabilities. A good relationship between the clients and contractor is a win-win situation for both parties. The use of contractors to support maintenance and turnarounds can add a lot of value, however the relationships are…
Read More10 Skills to be a Successful International Project Manager in 2018
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes As project managers advance in their careers, getting certified in the field adds more credibility to their title and experience. Project management certifications are in demand and in the competitive and complex market, project management certifications hold a vital role in ensuring you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting hired. Some of the main reasons why you should get a certification as an international project manager include increased demand, acquire a unique set of skills and increased chances of project success. Some of the key skills needed by project…
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Managing Human Failures for Human Factors Engineering
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Everyone can make errors no matter how well trained and motivated they are. However, in the workplace, the consequences of such human failure can be severe. Analysis of accidents and incidents shows that human failure contributes to almost all accidents and exposures to substances hazardous to health. Many major accidents were initiated by human failure. In order to avoid accidents and ill-health, companies need to manage human failure by properly integrating human factors in preparation for safety case. When preparing for safety case assessment, there is a human factors aspect to show that measures…
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What is the impact of fraud and corruption in your organization?
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Combating procurement fraud is vital due to the disastrous impacts’ procurement fraud brings. In Southeast Asia, procurement fraud costs US$140billion each year. Nearly all organisations will have been victims of procurement fraud and the consequences can be much greater than the value of the fraud. The most common types of fraud include kickbacks and bribes, bidding, variation abuse, billing, undisclosed interest, contract specifications and personal interest. For private sector organisations, successfully tackling fraud can boost profits by several percentage points. For governments, tackling procurement fraud effectively can boost its reputation, thus, attracting more inward investment, improving public services…
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