Prioritize Continuous Learning and Adaptability
Interview with Dr. Darius Danesh
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM)
Interviewed by Yasmina Khelifi
International Correspondent, PM World Journal
Paris, France
Introduction to the interviewee
Dr. Darius Danesh is a results-driven professional renowned for his extensive track record in project portfolio management, data analytics, and executive leadership. He has served as a distinguished advisor to diverse industries in both the public and private sectors.
An esteemed Fellow Certified Practicing Portfolio Executive (FAIPM CPPE), Dr. Danesh also holds the distinguished title of Fellow Chartered Professional Engineering Executive of Engineers Australia (FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER APEC Engineer IntPE). Furthermore, as a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), he possesses a profound understanding of corporate governance.
Academically accomplished, he has earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering Science, complemented by a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Project Portfolio Management, specializing in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences, from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Dr. Danesh has received numerous awards and commendations, including recognition as one of the world’s top data-driven innovators and leaders by Insight.
Beyond the academic realm, he has made significant contributions to the field, assuming roles as Company Director, Chair, and Board Director at various engineering and project management organizations.
Currently, Dr. Danesh serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM).
For inquiries or to leverage his expertise in advancing your organization’s strategic objectives, you can connect with him via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/darius-danesh.
Interview
Q1: First of all, thank you for accepting an interview request from PMWJ. You are an engineer. How did you come to project management?
Dr. Darius Danesh (Danesh): You’re most welcome, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage in this interview with PMWJ. My journey into project management from an engineering background can be attributed to a confluence of factors. While engineering equips individuals with a robust foundation in technical and problem-solving skills, it also emphasizes the importance of structured planning and execution. This foundation naturally led me to explore the realm of project management, where I discovered the synergy between engineering principles and effective project delivery. Recognizing that successful project outcomes hinge not only on technical expertise but also on strategic planning, leadership, and stakeholder engagement, I embarked on a path to integrate these facets into my professional repertoire.
Moreover, my academic pursuits and practical experience in engineering underscored the imperative of efficient project management in achieving organizational goals. This realization further fuelled my passion for project management, prompting me to seek advanced knowledge and qualifications in the field. In essence, my journey from engineering to project management has been driven by a pursuit of holistic and strategic approaches to addressing complex challenges in diverse industries.
Q2: You have numerous qualifications in project management. Why?
Danesh: The pursuit of numerous qualifications in project management reflects my unwavering commitment to professional development and the pursuit of excellence in this dynamic field. Project management continually evolves to address the ever-changing landscape of challenges and opportunities in the business world. Therefore, my decision to acquire a diverse range of qualifications in project management serves several strategic purposes.
Each qualification offers a unique perspective and skill set, allowing me to develop a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of the discipline. This expertise enables me to approach projects from various angles, ensuring a well-rounded approach to project delivery. Moreover, the dynamic nature of project management necessitates adaptability and agility, and expanding my knowledge and skill base through diverse qualifications allows me to readily adapt to new project requirements and industry trends, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness. Additionally, certifications in specialized areas deepen my expertise in specific aspects of project management, such as data analytics, governance, and strategic portfolio management, which is invaluable when addressing complex and specialized projects.
More…
To read entire interview, click here
How to cite this work: Khelifi, Y. (2023). Prioritize Continuous Learning and Adaptability, Interview with Dr. Darius Danesh, CEO, AIPM, PM World Journal, Vol. XII, Issue XI, November. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pmwj135-Nov2023-Khelifi-Interview-with-Dr-Darius-Danesh-aipm-ceo.pdf
About the Interviewer
Yasmina Khelifi
Paris, France
Yasmina Khelifi, PMP, PMI- ACP, PMI-PBA is an experienced project manager in the telecom industry. Along with her 20-year career at Orange S.A. (the large French multinational telecommunications corporation), she sharpened her global leadership skills, delivering projects with major manufacturers and SIM makers. Yasmina strives for building collaborative bridges between people to make international projects successful. She relies on three pillars: project management skills, the languages she speaks, and a passion for sharing knowledge.
She is a PMP certification holder since 2013, a PMI- ACP and PMI-PBA certification holder since 2020. She is an active volunteer member at PMI France and PMI UAE, and a member of PMI Germany Chapter. French-native, she can speak German, English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and she is learning Arabic. Yasmina loves sharing her knowledge and experiences at work, in her volunteers’ activities at PMI, and in projectmanagement.com as a regular blogger. She is also the host and co-founder of the podcast Global Leaders Talk with Yasmina Khelifi to help people in becoming better international leaders.
Yasmina can be contacted at https://yasminakhelifi.com/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminakhelifi-pmp-telecom/
Visit her correspondent profile at https://pmworldlibrary.net/yasmina-khelifi/
To view other works by Yasmina, visit her author showcase in the PM World Library at https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/yasmina-khelifi/
