Africa poses unique challenges to successful project management. A project manager in Africa must adapt to cultural influences and groups with different-and sometimes completely contradictory-views of what constitutes project success. A rapidly developing but inadequate infrastructure combined with conflicting agendas both inside and outside organizations presents often-unforeseen obstacles that affect project outcomes.
The African Project Manager is a practical guide to project management in particularly challenging circumstances. Though focused on Africa, Davies's advice is equally applicable in any situation where unusual circumstances hinder project success.
Davies leads readers through the fundamental dilemma of standards-driven project management: every project is different, but the industry demands standard processes be applied. Working within the framework of Africa's complex business environments, Davies demonstrates how to uphold standards while remaining sensitive and respectful to the continent's peculiar cultural and environmental challenges.
The African Project Manager provides a much-needed addition to any project manager's knowledge base, whether working in Nairobi, Rio, or Shanghai.
About the Author: Harry 'Tomi Davies (TD) has a background with FTSE 100-level companies in the United Kingdom, United States, and Africa, and has managed projects for diverse organisations including Marks & Spencer, ABB, World Bank, Intel Corporation, UBA Bank, Helios Towers, Mobitel Nigeria, SW Global Ghana, AATF Kenya, and various African government ministries, departments, and agencies.
TD's philosophy for project management draws from his background in Organizational Transformation and its three keys to success: People, Process, and Technology. This book demonstrates how he has applied these principles in Africa, using real case studies, with challenges ranging from lack of intellectual and financial capacity, poor infrastructure, lack of clarity of objectives and goals, to chronically low levels of automation in organisations.
In addition to many corporate Board appointments, TD is co-founder of the Lagos Angel Network and Laptops4Learning, a charity that provides screen-based environments for underprivileged children.
An avid blogger and sailor who is active on social media, he coauthored business bestsellers Corporate Bold and Cracking the Success Code.
