Johor Port Berhad Berths with Navigis Sdn Bhd to Implement a Project Management Office

The Star

A strategic partnership in its information technology department is not only ensuring Johor Port Berhad (JPB) meets global logistics standards but is also paying off handsomely for the company's bottom line.

"We recognized the important role IT plays in ensuring Johor Port stays globally competitive", JPB's Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr Lim Meng Soon says. "The Project Management Office (PMO) is a landmark undertaking for our port in ensuring our IT projects consistently exceed our expectations".

In choosing Navigis Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Mesiniaga Bhd to manage the PMO, Johor Port Berhad is relying on Navigis' strong track record and international experience. The PMO will see the Navigis' project managers; work hand in hand with Johor Port staff on a 3-year tenure. They will not only acts as consultants but will also provide training, guidance and best practices to deliver strategic IT projects that will see an increase in reporting and port management efficiency.

With the March 2004 accreditation as an approved LME location for warehousing activities and facilities, the PMO will further serve to ensure IT project implementations are in-line with stringent internationally recognized standards.

The PMO will ensure consistent project management processes are undertaken, minimize any possibility of failure and maintain a more efficient and closer monitoring of IT projects.

The bottom line - Johor Port Berhad's PMO will identify critical areas in the port's IT projects, boost overall IT efficiency while limiting costs and delivering projects within budget and in shorter time frames.

In a finding that indicates a PMO's importance, IT Departments in various industries are struggling to deliver successful projects. Budgets are exceeded by as much as 200% and deadlines frequently missed in absence of proper project management.

"PMO's help executives by providing the structure needed to both standardize project management. Once standardized, project performance can be closely measured and monitored. Then, corrective action can be taken to mitigate risk and substantially increase the odds of project success", emphasized Philip Sidebottom, CEO of Navigis Sdn Bhd.

Johor Port Berhad envisions the PMO will save the port money by enabling better resource management, supporting projects that offer the biggest ROI and ensuring steadily rising profits.

Dr Lim further added, "As we continue to grow and create our niche in the regional and global cargo movements, the biggest problem is not simply attaining year on year profit but also exceeding the growing needs and expectations of our port users. Many of these successful IT projects and standard practices implemented are directly aimed at improved customer satisfaction rates".

With the implementation of the PMO, Dr Lim expects the company to save significant amounts of money related to project implementations. He says costs savings will come in the form of projects delivered efficiently and on time; minimizing the impact to Johor Port Berhad's operations and the port's customers.