25 Nov Successfully Concluded PM Days 2024

Sustainability, gender equality, youth, and project organization approaches were the main themes of this year’s Project Management Days 2024. Organized annually each November by the Project Management Association – IPMA Serbia, this traditional event brought together a vibrant community of project management professionals.

Young Crew Workshop

The first event of PM Days 2024 was the Young Crew Workshop titled “Career Design: Vision and Implementation for Young Professionals” moderated by Enes Gusinjac, a civil engineering master’s degree holder. Held at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, the workshop provided participants with practical strategies for planning their career goals. It brought together 20 young professionals from diverse fields who collaborated to exchange experiences and enhance their professional skills.

Women in Project Management

The IPMA Serbia SIG Women in Project Management meeting hosted participants from 14 companies and public sector institutions across Serbia. The meeting was moderated by Dušica Nikolić, Project Manager at PWO SEE, and Jana Vesić, Product Manager at Yettel Bank.

The aim of this year’s meeting was to explore the best strategies for women in project environments to tackle today’s professional challenges, establish a work-life balance, and address the support (or lack thereof) for women in project management. The discussion revealed similar workplace challenges across industries, emphasizing the importance of a supportive organizational culture in overcoming biases. Participants highlighted the need for top management support and shared positive examples of such backing. They also exchanged techniques for achieving work-life balance and acknowledged their dual roles as project managers and team psychologists.

PMO Workshop

The IPMA Serbia SIG PMO workshop introduced the upcoming IPMA PMO (Project Management Office) standard, set to be available in 2025. This standard defines competencies critical for individuals working within PMOs and includes four certification levels: Certified PMO Director, Senior PMO Manager, PMO Manager, and PMO Associate.

The workshop, moderated by Vladimir Rašović from Siemens Energy, allowed participants to share experiences and discuss challenges. It was noted that the strategic significance of PMOs is often misunderstood, leading to resistance among employees. Participants agreed that aligning PMO development with organizational needs while fostering employee support is crucial. They emphasized that PMO formation signals organizational maturity, but its long-term success requires top management support, clear role definitions, and trust-building through regular performance reporting.

Sustainable Project Management

Participants of the Sustainable Project Management Panel discussed the implementation of sustainable practices and compliance with new EU regulations. The session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Marija Todorović, Executive Director of IPMA Serbia, concluded that sustainability is not just an obligation for organizations but also an opportunity for creating value, fostering innovation, and driving business growth.

Key questions addressed included:

• Can we meet sustainability standards without applying them to projects?
• What are the challenges in implementing sustainability practices and standards?
• What competencies and responsibilities are required of project managers?

The panel announced the upcoming IPMA Standard for Sustainable Project Management, set to be available in 2025. Participants agreed that project managers need adequate support to implement sustainable development practices effectively and that applying these practices at the project level is essential.

Over 70 participants attended the PM Days 2024 events, engaging in discussions and workshops that enriched the professional community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s PM Days 2024.