Dear Editor,
Sitting across a conference table in Columbus, Ohio with Jamie Dimon (now JPMorgan Chase CEO – the world’s largest Bank) and Charlie Scharf (now CEO Wells Fargo Bank – the world 4th largest bank), my team and I were given our marching orders (Project). Consoli-date the mortgage banking system of Bank One and Chase bank in 6 months, over a million accounts from different systems. Jamie and Charlie were both Bank One Leaders at the time.
The simple question asked of us, what do you need to get the job done on time? I stated my team’s requirement, and it was granted. Upon leaving the conference room the realization was, got to get this done, else we will not have a job, I was the IT VP in charge. There was no micromanagement, we got it done on time. Ask half of the Guyana Government contractors and subcontractors to show you a detailed project plan. Most do not have one and it becomes cooked-up rice, you throw anything in at various times and hope for the best.
Guyana is struggling through project delivery challenges of delays, cost overrun and poor planning. From GuySuCo, GPL, Cemetery Road, Schools’ buildings, Conver-sation Tree, Airport, Linden Mabura Road, Pump stations, Wharfs, Gas to Shore project, Demerara Harbour Bridge, community roads and bridges to name a few. When ExxonMobil commits, they usually deliver on time, they follow a methodology, some of us are learning. We, Guyanese, need to become a time sensitive society. Time means money! I have seen many homebuilders in Guyana run and shelter from rain or do not show up because it’s raining, old mind set, be prepared in your planning. All work stopped, utter nonsense!
Projects are not managed by a piece of paper (contracts), it is about methodology, process and hitting the goal (gate) post. Just like a Soccer, Cricket, or a Basketball Player you do not get a second chance. What is missing in our country is accountability and substantial penalties. Ask most contractors, they will offer many reasons why a project is delayed, pointing to Government inaction, revision, weather, employees not showing up, material shortage, Jumble, etc. etc, who cares, it is part of life, get it done. Ministers and their teams are a false premise for managing and insuring success.
Our government is stretched in competency and capability to manage the many projects and should consider privatizing or outsourcing to local accounting, legal and consulting companies to manage projects for them with the necessary penalties and rewards for on time delivery. Initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure are key phases for success, we will come out ahead in total cost and less wasted time. We are no longer a Communist, Marxist, Socialist State, thank you God, after almost 50 years, however we are still a centralized economy.
Sincerely,
Everton D. Morris
