SYNOPSIS

Most project managers are familiar with the life cycle and delivery approach in particular the difference between a predictive project management and an agile project management approach. If you work on construction-type projects then a traditional project management approach is the best to adopt. Similarly, if you work on software development or IT projects then an agile project management approach is the best choice. As a researcher at the university working on product development projects, the choice between these two is a grey area: a situation that is not clear or where the rules are not known. The goals and solutions of many complex product development projects are not clear. Scopes or specifications are not written in stones or should be completely followed. Working on complex product development project such as developing a 3D printing system for medical application from scratch is challenging with tons of uncertainties and unknowns. The borderline between agile and predictive is a challenge. Failures are common but project managers must be able to adapt and solve issues one at a time until the project is completed. In this talk, topics on complex projects, product development and lessons learned gained through the years of developing this product will be briefly discussed.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abang Annuar Ehsan works as a senior research fellow at the Institute of Microengineering and Nano electronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)since 2006. He holds a BE (Electrical Eng.) MSc (Microelectronics), MEng(Manufacturing Systems Engineering), MPM (Project Management), PhD (Applied Science) and PhD (Microengineering and Nanoelectronics). His research interest includes fiber optics devices, optical design, additive manufacturing and micro machining processes. Dr. Abang Annuar Ehsan has more than 15 years of project management experiences in 2 leading research projects including funding from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Dr. Abang Annuar teaches academic courses in UKM including research methodology, 3D printing, photonics technology and project management. He is active in product development activities in UKM and has collaborated with industries in developing products based on his research work. He holds 6 patents on optical devices and 3D printing system. Dr.Abang Annuar Ehsan was also a consultant to NX Photonics, a university startup company, appointed as the company's director since 2012 and retired in 2020. He isa professional engineer (BEM) and holds both PMP and PMI-SP certifications from PMI-USA. He is a member of the Project Management Institute, Malaysia Chapter,corporate member of IEM and a co-opted committee for the Project Management Technical Division, IEM. Dr. Abang Annuar Ehsan is also a TTT certified trainer under HRD Corp.