Project managers are often the ones in the firing line but seldom do they get the recognition they deserve for a job well done.
A scheme that runs to time and to budget isn’t news, but when a project faces delays – often as a result of factors that are out of the team’s control – it is the project managers who have to front it out. Good news items go under the radar all the time in the mainstream press, fortunately there are trade titles who know the real story. ‘Project managers are the unsung heroes of the rail industry; working hard in the background to deliver against challenging, and often moving targets,’ said James Collinson, managing director of the Network Certification Body (NCB), sponsors of the Project Manager of the Year category at the RailStaff Awards 2017.
CHANGING RAILWAY LANDSCAPE
NCB is an independent assessment and certification body for the railway industry, a fully accredited Notified Body (NoBo), Designated Body (DeBo) and Assessment Body (AB). Project managers play an increasingly important role within the company, providing oversight to the knowledgable engineering teams.
Major infrastructure and rolling stock programmes that NCB is supporting include the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), Wessex Capacity Improvement Programme and the introduction of the new Caledonian Sleeper fleet.
James went on to explain why project managers are at the centre of everything the industry does. ‘When their relentless pursuit for delivery is achieved, they move on to the next project and start all over again. Being able to reward these determined people, who are behind the changing railway landscape, is what this event is all about.’
DETERMINATION AND DEDICATION
The RailStaff Awards ceremony is entering its 11th year this year. The 2017 Project Manager of the Year award will be handed out at the Ricoh Arena on 7 October – the fourth time the event has been hosted in Coventry.
Stuart Gough, NCB’s head of sales and marketing, said the award helps to celebrate the often creative methods project managers use to meet targets and deadlines.
‘As an organisation that has introduced and grown our own project management function, we recognise the huge value a project manager brings to a business.
‘Project managers lead with determination and dedication to deliver the very best results for the project, making sure the outcomes are aligned to the clients’ expectations. This category is about recognising project managers who clearly display a broad range of techniques and skills to ensure projects are delivered on time and to budget, and often in complex situations.’
Time is running out to nominate a colleague for this year’s RailStaff Awards. Visit www.railstaffawards.com/nominate
