2010.03.6–7 Stellenbosch: Intensive Weekend Workshop in Project Management
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Workshop overview, fees, dates and cities
Interview about the Workshop
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ABOVE
OK, so we had to give up a weekend... but it was an intensive weekend! While the temperature soared throughout the Western Cape and ostriches fainted on farms, the Workshop participants kept cool next to a beautiful vineyard beside the Institute. Seen here are Sanet Stemmet (running projects to turn Cape Agulhas into a favourite holiday destination), Tania Melnyczuk (Workshop Facilitator), Linda Heydenrych (currently incolved in setting up branch offices for her company in the Eastern Cape) and Dr. Iyabo Usman (Nuclear Physicist).
BELOW
On Saturday, Chanel Patel of Net 1 Technologies and Faseeg Williams of MXit found themselves in a group of four, struggling to reach consensus before they had to report back on their team exercises. The next day, the two were paired to work on an assignment. When asked afterwards how they felt about their interaction, Chanel replied that once they'd established a common goal for their project, this fundamental agreement immediately resulted in a smooth and productive working relationship in which they jointly developed a plan to meet the requirements of a challenging brief.
| Participants' comments
No comments, names or photos have been posted without the participants' permission. Where participants agreed to the use of photographs or comments only, their names have been replaced by "Participant". Some comments have been edited for spelling and grammar.
Comments from feedback forms
How would you describe your overall experience of the Workshop to friends or colleagues?
A jam-packed session well balanced between practical and theory, explaining a difficult, broad subject called Project Management. The Workshop produced a set of skills that I can use as a platform for certain projects, and the knowledge that skills alone are not enough; character and people management are needed too.
— Sanet Stemmet, Cape Agulhas Tourism
Great if you're interested in a Project Management career.
— Chanel Patel, Net 1 Technologies [Chanel already had a diploma in Project Management before attending the Workshop]
A simple set-out of Project Management tools and skills; fantastically integrated to be of value to all disciplines.
— Yvonne Onderweegs, Slee & Co. Architects
If you want to manage projects, this is the place to start.
— Charl Asia, MXit
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What were the main positive things that contributed to your overall experience?
The amount of content in the short time.
— Faseeg Williams, MXit
The relaxing environment. Tania and Marius being very informative and willing to share info and experiences.
— Linda Heydenrych, Gerber Botha & Gowar
Team work; fantastic group dynamics; practical experience/solutions/problems.
— Yvonne Onderweegs, Slee & Co. Architects
Practical exercises. Great communication — easy to communicate.
— Sanet Stemmet, Cape Agulhas Tourism
Simplicity of information, entertainment and social level of the course.
— Charl Asia, MXit
What were the main negative things that contributed to your overall experience?
A lot of information for 2 days -- although interesting, was very tiring.
— Yvonne Onderweegs, Slee & Co. Architects
Nothing really, just wish the course was a day longer.
— Charl Asia, MXit
Perhaps only myself & realising the personality stuff; need to work on, for example, saying sorry!
— Sanet Stemmet, Cape Agulhas Tourism [During the Workshop, Sanet was encouraged to not apologise for so many of her opinions.]
 | LEFT
As part of a simulation exercise, Nuclear Physicist Dr. Iyabo Usman contemplates the cause and solution to a Cost and Schedule Variance in a project for a uranium mine. |
RIGHT
Sanet Stemmet and Linda Heydenrych bring their respective experiences in dealing with community stakeholders and setting up facilities to the project to establish a Learning Centre at the uranium mine. | 
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What did the lecturer do well?
Explained how the content related to different industries.
— Faseeg Williams, MXit [paraphrased]
Explained and related info well. Kept the course entertaining and fresh.
— Charl Asia, MXit
Explained principles well with thought-through practical examples. She kept intricate systems simple.
— Yvonne Onderweegs, Slee & Co. Architects
I found great value in the way Tania transferred the practical into the theory. Especially the examples all the candidates including myself was transferred. It made me understand the theory better. Found her to be VERY helpful when asking stuff.
— Sanet Stemmet, Cape Agulhas Tourism
I liked the way Tania led us by the nose first before explaining what the methods/terminology is about.
— Linda Heydenrych, Gerber Botha & Gowar
What should she have done differently?
Bit more time on the practical work with our teams.
— Linda Heydenrych, Gerber Botha & Gowar
[All the other participants either left this question blank or wrote, "Nothing".]
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 | LEFT
Working as a pair in an assignment on Sunday, architect Yvonne Onderweegs and Charl Asia from MXit developed a project plan for a digitally integrated office building. When the Workshop Facilitator presented them with an scenario pointing to an apparent problem midway through the implementation of the project, they rose to the challenge, giving an astute analysis of the situation and a logical prognosis for the completion of their project. |
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