2020 is almost a year since most of the world went on complete or partial lockdown. The economic consequences of the pandemic have been devastating, with millions of people losing jobs, individuals losing livelihoods, and businesses going bankrupt.
In increasingly challenging obstacles, project teams and their leaders have stood up, acting with creativity, teamwork, and a clear desire to make a meaningful change. This approach creates many innovative projects in 2020, which also realize the world that we can change our present by using our skills and a proactive approach. I would like to discuss some most influential projects of 2020 which were listed by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator
PMI listed this project as no.1 most influential project of 2020.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome along with Mastercard have provided $125 million in seed funding to an initiative to accelerate the development of and access to therapies for COVID-19. In their announcement on 9 March 2020, the three organizations announced that the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator was being set up to help organize R&D activities and eliminate obstacles to drug discovery and scale-up to counter the pandemic.
“Investing now, at scale, at-risk, and as a collective global effort is vital if we are to change the course of this epidemic. We welcome others to join us in this effort”
-Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome
As a normal mindset, every person waits for the best vaccine candidate and then invest their money in that candidate. But Microsoft Chief Bill Gates think proactive and announced a plan to fund factories for multiple efforts. He knows this step will lose a few billion U.S dollars. According to WHO, as of August there are 169 vaccine projects are running, most of them will not succeed but this project will realize others that now innovative projects is in demand. Go and drive with innovation rather than stuck in thinking about what outcomes will occur.
Iceland Contact Tracing
PMI listed this project as no.2 most influential project of 2020.
When Covid-19 hits the world, there is no doubt that every country is affected very quickly. Governments’ plans and programs to eliminate the virus is not working properly.
The people of Iceland are also affecting very rapidly day by day. New cases were rising fast, increasing by up to 99 a day by early April. To control this virus within the country, Iceland’s director of Health collaborates with local biotech firm DeCode Genetics to launch a combo punch of widespread testing, contact tracing, and viral sequencing. DeCode joined forces with government agencies and other private companies to build a smartphone app called Ranking C-19 to identify those who had been nearby or anyone who was infected. By fusing high-tech and high-touch elements, the project virtually eliminated coronavirus infection within Icelandic borders by June.
This project is the best example of collaboration and cooperation between different departments or sectors; the virus eliminates because the Health director teamed up with the technology experts. No one single handily can’t do all things, collaboration makes work easy and also increases the rate of success in achieving results of innovative ideas.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway
PMI listed this project as no.37 most influential project of 2020.
The Middle East is always known for its Oil and Petroleum Sector. But this time, Kuwait is re-imagining the ancient Silk Road trading route connecting China and the Persian Gulf. The ambitious vision is rooted in a vibrant free trade zone that when constructed within the next 25 years, will create a new shipping terminal, space for 700,000 people, and up to 450,000 new jobs.
The first move in making the plan a reality is to create a shortcut between the nation’s capital, Kuwait City, and Subiyah, home to the production of Silk City. The $3 billion Sheik Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah Causeway, constructed in May 2019, consists of two separate roads covering 48 kilometers (30 miles) of Kuwait Bay. The consequence, huh? Travel time between the two cities was shortened from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes.
Construction and development always play a vital role in a country’s economy because better infrastructure attracts tourism. As the Middle East is full of innovative construction projects, tourism plays a big role in the Middle East economy.
Al-Shera’a
PMI listed this project as no.47 most influential project of 2020.
Last year the Dubai Energy and Water Authority (DEWA) commissioned a new headquarters; it suggested that the development would not be a normal government building project. The Agency has announced that the Al-Shera’a system will be the “biggest, largest and smartest” zero-energy government building in the country.
“By building Al-Shera’a, we establish a global benchmark for buildings that achieve a balance between development and the environment to protect the right of future generations to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment”
-DEWA CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer
Al-Shera’a would have more than 20,000 square meters (215,000 square feet) of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof and built into the structure, providing more than 6,500 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year.
I don’t think that’s anything different than we’re expected from the Middle East, or particularly from Dubai. The Middle East is still in the process of constructing larger and larger structures, which is also a positive indicator for tourism and the economy.
Summary
Today the world needs more and more creative initiatives to liberate our future from problems. All these would be achievable if Team Leaders think proactively and work collaboratively. No one is more artistic or less creative, we can’t compare anyone’s talents, everyone has their special abilities. Project leaders should focus on team bonding and handle their partners fairly, so everyone in their sphere is the Strongest. Project leaders should concentrate on sharing new ideas within their teams and always set up a forum for team members to discuss or express their ideas without delay. Your Project Team will also make these influential ventures, we just want to drive with innovation.
