Al Wahda Master Development, Abu Dhabi - Association for Project ...

APM Project Management AwardsWINNER’SCASE STUDYCategoryWinnerOverseas Project of the Year 2012Al Wahda Master Development, Abu DhabiEC Harris International LtdOverviewLocated in Abu Dhabi City in the United Arab Emirates(UAE), the Al Wahda Master Development is a vibrantbusiness and shopping destination in the heart of the city.It boasts Abu Dhabi’s largest five-star hotel with850 rooms and apartments, the city’s biggest inner cityshopping mall with more than 400 shops, thousandsof square metres of leasable office space, residentialapartments, and is also home to Al Wahda Football Club.Providing project management and cost consultancyto the development, EC Harris International Ltd has beeninvolved in every element from the master planningof the development to the concept development andmanagement of the interior design, fit-out and furniture,fittings and equipment installation.In fact, EC Harris’ involvement has been so intrinsicthat they were even responsible for naming some of therestaurants and bars in the hotel.ObjectivesEC Harris developed detailed and systematic proceduresthrough a project management gateway approach, whichinvolved design verification checks, employer sign-off atvarious phases, value engineering workshops, and riskmanagement.The project execution plans helped to categorise roles,1

APM Project Management AwardsWINNER’SCASE STUDYResourcesIt was a truly international project team which compriseda diverse mix of nationalities and cultures. Those workingon project included American, Bangladeshi, Chinese,Croatian, Egyptian, German, Ghanaian, Indian, Iraqi,Italian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Malaysian, Moroccan,Nepalese, Pakistani, Palestinian, Philippino, Portuguese,South African, Sudanese, Syrian, Thai and Tunisian. Intotal there were 31 different nationalities working on thisscheme.EC Harris deployed a dynamic team who were happyto multi-task in their daily roles, allowing the client tomaximise value from the project management team. Itis down to the dedication of that team which made theproject such a success.responsibilities, communication protocols and approvalflowcharts.The development, which is valued at more than £400m,was built between 2005 and 2012 with the objective ofcreating an exciting shopping mall, five-star business hotel,office and residential buildings, resulting in a new businessand shopping destination within the core of the city.The achievement of those objectives involvedsignificant project management from EC Harris over theduration of the seven-year development.ChallengesIn 2008, with the project at 70 per cent complete, theworldwide financial crisis struck, posing the biggestchallenge in the three-phase initiative.The UAE was initially regarded as being immune to thefinancial downturn.However, the ripple reached them by late 2008 and theimpact was bigger than anyone could have forecasted.EC Harris, who was then leading the second phase ofthe development’s construction, faced huge issuesas steel prices rocketed and concrete supply becameunpredictable.Vital early planning to avert supply issues helped toensure the supply lines continued – with main contractorCivilco crucially producing the goods at a time when manyprojects either stalled or entered into dispute.2

APM Project Management AwardsWINNER’SCASE STUDYCo-ordinationThere was an Arab, an Egyptian and an Irishman….It sounds more like the beginning of a joke but, in fact, it’san important point in demonstrating the multicultural mixof the management team of client, engineer and projectmanager.Overcoming multicultural barriers was a majorcontributor to the success of the project and is a challengethat is not normally present in UK-based projects.EC Harris established best practice, clear processes, andcommunicated one-to-one coordination with all teammembers and stakeholders.Importantly the project team was empowered to assumeresponsibility and manage the process effectively.Project successesUltimately, for EC Harris, the project was a major success.They delivered the largest hotel in Abu Dhabi along withone of the cities most vibrant shopping malls – key assetsthat are providing a return on investment to the ownersand wealth to the city.Constantly focused on the holistic delivery of theproject in line with its Built Asset Consultancy ethos whileproviding micro-management support to contractors andsuppliers. EC Harris has received many accolades for theproject – particularly after overcoming the challengingmarket conditions of 2008.3

APM Project Management AwardsWINNER’SCASE STUDYThe APM Project Management Awards have been celebratingproject management excellence since 1993 and the broad rangeof categories is designed to make entry possible for projects andcompanies of all sizes and complexity.The awards reflect the invaluable contribution project managersmake in all sectors of society and the event provides an opportunityfor industry professionals to meet with colleagues and entertainguests as well as celebrate at one of the year’s most exciting events.Highly regarded in the project management industry, the awardsreflect the dedication and talent that helps to shape the projectmanagement community and the world around us. The finalists,winners and sponsors of the awards attract national publicity fortheir achievement and involvement. Winning an award providesinvaluable recognition and kudos to the careers of winners.For more details on the awards and how to enter or attend, visitapm.org.uk/awards or email awards@apm.org.uk4

Association for Project ManagementIbis House, Regent ParkSummerleys RoadPrinces RisboroughBuckinghamshire, HP27 9LETelephone 0845 458 1944International +44 (0)1844 271640Facsimile +44 (0)1844 274509EmailWebinfo@apm.org.ukapm.org.uk