Focus returns to quality projects

02 January 2014

A staggering $2.5 trillion-worth of schemes are planned or under way in the GCC. The MEED Quality Awards for Projects will once again look to recognise the projects executed with the highest quality

Entries are invited for the 2014 edition of the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with the UAE’s Mashreq Bank. This is the only awards programme in the GCC to evaluate the construction process, rather than just the completed schemes. The awards programme was launched four years ago to recognise schemes that are raising the standard for quality in project execution across the region.

MEED is proud to have created an independent judging process, with the help of the Society of Engineers in each of the six GCC countries. The awards programme allows schemes to be benchmarked against their own sectors and recognises the valuable addition each project has made to that industry, be it the oil and gas sector, power and water, industrial, transport, residential, or a scheme that has shown outstanding sustainable impact. For the first time in 2014, MEED is including an award for innovation, to recognise the key differentiators project teams have created to ensure their work is successful.

Staggering investment

According to MEED’s Gulf Project Index, more than $2.5 trillion-worth of schemes are planned or under way in the region. This is a staggering amount of investment for the region and thousands of teams will play their part to ensure these projects are completed to the highest quality. As the chairman of the awards programme’s judging panel, Edmund O’Sullivan, says: “Delivering quality is always a challenge, but nothing is more important when it comes to delivering major projects.”

Enter the MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2014, in association with Mashreq

The awards aim to raise quality standards in the GCC projects market through benchmarking the best practices specified in the project brief and excellence provided in the project delivery. Winning an award sends a message to the market that quality is essential in all parts of the project management process; from design planning to engineering and construction. By entering, you will:

  • Gain unparalleled recognition for your project through an international platform
  • Reward and evaluate your achievements through an independent judging process
  • Associate with the programme’s core values of integrity, accuracy and innovation
  • Celebrate your team’s achievements
  • Network with the region’s leaders in projects

Judging criteria

  • Economic and social impact
  • Environmental impact
  • Engineering achievements
  • Design achievements
  • Construction achievements 

Enter now

Register online at www.meedawards.com as soon as possible to gain access to the entry form for your specific category, or contact Becky Crayman at becky.crayman@meed.com or on +971 (0)50 559 0713.

Key dates

  • Now open for entries  
  • 30 January 2014 Entry deadline
  • March 2014 National winners announced
  • May 2014 Ceremony and GCC winners announced

Q&A Abdul Majeed Al-Gassab

How does the Bahrain Society of Engineers help ensure quality in the projects sector?

Over the years, the Bahrain Society of Engineers has held conferences, seminars and workshops promoting project management. We are proud to have covered project management certifications, risk management and value engineering in the past few years. To encourage engineers, we have also conducted low-fee workshops covering evening classes for self-sponsored individuals. 

What do you think are the main factors that contribute to a quality scheme?

Projects should be executed in line with project management methodologies. Once this is applied, by default the schemes will be aligned in delivering quality. The process of quality should commence from project initiation to planning and be monitored closely during execution and, finally, completing the project having achieved the desired set of qualities.

How important do you think the MEED Quality Awards for Projects in association with Mashreq is in recognising quality projects across the GCC?

Frankly, we need to thank MEED for initiating the concept of the MEED Quality Awards for Projects. This has prompted both clients and contractors to ensure their schemes meet the qualification-set parameters for submission to the awards programme. The awards have raised the concept of project quality and this has been evident in the award-winning projects since inception. 

What do you think the projects sector needs to do overall to continue improving quality?

More education and awareness is a must. Contracts need to lay heavy emphasis on project quality, and incentives need to be promoted to encourage firms to maximise their efforts to ensure project quality. Contracts should also impose penalties for schemes that do not meet the set specified standards. The management of the project owners must believe in project quality and values to ensure the end-product meets the standards accepted by stakeholders and consumers. 

What do you think are the main challenges for quality managers in the GCC?

Retaining quality-certified personnel is the biggest challenge affecting industries today. The attrition of the qualified work force is the main obstacle for the region. The reason for this is the magnitude and number of megaprojects that are either under execution, planned or projected to be executed within the next few years. The combined value of the project pipeline for the GCC far exceeds any major developed areas. 

Abdul Majeed al-Gassab is an awards judge and president of the Bahrain Society of Engineers

Award categories

1. Small Project of the Year

Entries for this category must have a project value of $35m or below and can be projects in any sector

2. Award for Innovation

Innovation can be nominated by participants at any stage of the project delivery supply chain

3. Oil and Gas Project of the Year

Offshore and onshore recovery, exploration and production facilities for oil and gas, refineries, distribution, pipelines, product distillation, petrochemicals

4. Industrial Project of the Year

Manufacturing, material, mining, metals (excluding petrochemicals)

5. Power and Water Desalination Project of the Year

Energy, power, hydroelectric, desalination, infrastructure

6. Water Reuse Project of the Year

Water usage, public supply, waste and recycling, sewage and treatment

7. Leisure and Tourism Project of the Year

Attractions, heritage, leisure, entertainment and tourism, malls, hotels, theme parks, resorts and facilities

8. Transport or Road Project of the Year

Ports, airports, rail and road infrastructure

9. Social Project of the Year

Public spaces, education, healthcare, social housing, community, cultural and religious centres

10. Building Project of the Year

Mixed developments, commercial, residential and business building projects

11. Sustainable Project of the Year

Any project that has shown a tangible and proven approach to sustainability

12. MEED Quality Project of the Year 2014 in association with mashreq*

Awarded to the project from any category that has risen above all the projects submitted for entry as the outstanding example of what quality in construction, engineering and innovation represents

*The MEED Quality Project of the Year 2014 award is not open for entries, as the winner is chosen from the National Winners stage of the competition.

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