The Project
As Director of Knowledge Transfer & Training, lead change management effort in support of AECOM’s contract to provide program management services for the Libya Housing and Infrastructure Board (HIB). The change management goal was to enable Libyan Nationals to assume program management responsibilities upon transition of work from an expat to a Libyan National workforce. AECOM anticipated an overall $50B program budget to build infrastructure and housing that would enhance the lives of the Libyan people and provide a foundation for the country’s growing tourism industry.
The Challenge
HIB leaders and project managers considered any type of training a boondoggle—the opportunity to travel locally, regionally, and around the world. Therefore, the change management challenge was to transform that mindset and deliver a program with meaningful experiences and practical outcomes. We also had to be sensitive to language and cultural difference as we built relationships and delivered the program.
The Results
Developed new processes to optimize the client’s capability to adopt the change. First, we developed a process to identify the most capable candidates for each offering, counteracting HIB’s practice of giving only the wealthiest and most influential the opportunity for career development. Second, we developed processes to create content that would meet unique business needs, minimizing reliance on generic content. Finally, we established processes to enable effective communication despite limited access to the Internet and face time with the client.
Worked effectively with HIB management to deliver all training components prior to the Arab Spring.
- Developed change management strategy to change attitudes and behaviors
- Developed processes and procedures for candidate selection and approval, maximizing training value and effectiveness.
- Built curriculum and content, identified instructors or conducted sessions, and provided oversight of all logistics. Made all visa and travel arrangements associated with knowledge transfer, often accompanying attendees out-of-country to ensure participant comfort, safety, and adherence to cultural norms and budget constraints.
- Delivered four program components and provided appropriate support services for transforming the capabilities of HIB leaders and the 1600 project managers who worked for them.
- Added appropriate performance support activities unspecified in the contract to ensure change sustainability.
The knowledge transfer and training team designed, developed, and delivered the following components:
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$500,000 Project: 12 in-country workshops for project managers
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$2.2M Project: 3-month, out-of-country academic training for 100 engineers in partnership with US universities
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$1.5M Project: 96 weeks of experiential training for executives at AECOM offices around the world
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$3M Project: One-year development training for three professors. Offering exposed leaders to all aspects of program management via events and site visits across the US
- Performance support activities including computer skills and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) training
Client: Libya Housing & Infrastructure Board
Service: Knowledge Transfer & Training
