Interview With Olfa Hamdi In Istanbul

İpek Sahra Özgüler (Özgüler): Good morning Olfa Hamdi. Could you present yourself for the PMWJ readers?

Olfa Hamdi (Hamdi): My name is Olfa Hamdi. I am an independent researcher and a consultant in the field of capital project management and construction dispute resolution. I am the founder of the Advanced Work Packaging Institute (AWPI), currently, the first and the only organization that dedicated to advancing the implementation and research on the Advanced Work Packaging system.

My thesis, published by The University of Texas at Austin, entitled: “Advanced Work Packaging (AWP): from project definition through site execution “ was the first academic thesis of its kind on the subject of AWP for industrial construction projects. I have continued ever since working on the subject of improving the effectiveness and reducing and controlling the risks associated with construction capital projects in the U.S. and internationally.

My academic background is diverse, matching the diversity seen in construction projects. In fact, I hold a Master of Science in Capital Projects’ Management from The University of Texas at Austin, also a second Master of Science in Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Lille, and a graduate degree in Alternative Dispute Resolution for construction disputes from Texas School of Law.

I have authored and co-authored numerous publications in prestigious academic and professional venues covering topics ranging from project cost management related issues to legal implications of project management practices.

I am a firm believer in the role of interdisciplinary research in driving capital projects effectiveness and project management knowledge sphere expansion and in a way, as a professional of the construction sector, I feel a sense of duty toward the younger generation and the role of each one of us in attracting new young talent to our industry.

Özgüler: What is the mission of the AWP Institute?

Hamdi: Founded in 2013, the Advanced Work Packaging Institute’s mission has been to advance the global development and implementation of the Advanced Work Packaging system for construction capital projects primarily through multidisciplinary research and development work.

Advanced Work packaging (AWP) is a disciplined project management approach for field planning from project conception to project delivery.

Capital projects are multidisciplinary in nature, involving different parties with different industries and backgrounds. This is what drives the AWP Institute work which, through its research, implementation, education, and other initiatives, is an industry organization with the capacity to develop knowledge and information on topics currently under-developed in our industry. These topics include the IT and legal aspects of AWP and project governance in general.

So far we see that the market responding to this new approach of conducting business in the construction sector. AWP implementation is something we expect to grow over the coming years especially from the owner companies and contractors with a capability to conduct large and mega projects in an EPCM contracting strategy.

Our goal is to educate as many project professionals as possible around the about the potential of AWP in improving the cost effectiveness of the capital facility project life cycle, from front end planning through completion and commissioning.