The outcomes of the “Imkan 2” program reflected its effective role in developing the performance of engineers to efficiently manage government projects and contracts by providing them with the latest methods in strategic planning, risk management, and contract analysis, with a focus on the principles of transparency and governance. The program relied on advanced digital technologies, including smart analysis tools and artificial intelligence, to ensure efficient and effective project implementation.

The program represents the commitment of the General Secretariat of the Tender Board to raise the level of government performance and achieve the highest quality standards in project implementation, as it is a fundamental pillar within “Oman Vision 2040”, as it contributes to building qualified national cadres to keep pace with global developments in project management, enhance financial sustainability, and reduce operational risks. Investing in the human element also reflects positively on the national economy, enhancing its competitiveness at the regional and international levels.

In this press survey, we highlight the program's outcomes and its impact on participants, by monitoring their opinions and evaluating their experience. To the survey:

Successful Qualification of Engineers

Abdullah bin Saif Al Hosni, Talent and Project Development Advisor at the General Secretariat of the Tender Board, said: The "Imkan" program in its first and second versions achieved remarkable successes in qualifying engineers to manage government projects and contracts efficiently. He explained that "Imkan 2" aimed to raise the efficiency of workers in project and tender management through integrated training that adopts the latest international practices, with a focus on strategic planning, risk management, and enhancing transparency and governance.

Al Hosni added: The program enhanced contract analysis skills and understanding of legal and technical aspects, which ensures that projects are implemented according to the highest standards. It also kept pace with modern technological developments by integrating digital analysis tools and artificial intelligence. The program contributed to building an institutional culture based on efficiency, in line with the General Secretariat's orientations towards enhancing governance and improving government performance.

The program also aimed to address the challenges of delayed projects and emergency modifications that lead to additional costs, by qualifying national cadres and improving contract management to achieve high economic efficiency.

Improving the quality of projects

Najia bint Nasser Al-Azri, Head of the Engineering Designs Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, said: The Emkan 2 program had a clear impact on improving the quality of government projects by providing engineers with practical skills and specialized knowledge that enhance effective planning and implementation, and its reflection on improving contract and project management and risk management, while enhancing the ability to negotiate, resolve disputes and improve planning using digital tools. The program was not just theoretical training, but rather a practical experience that enhanced the efficiency of government engineers in project management, and increased their ability to improve quality, reduce risks, and ensure that projects are implemented to the best possible standards. Engineer Najia Al-Azri explained that engineers in project work may face challenges, including stakeholder management, as government projects serve a wide segment of citizens, which makes it necessary to involve stakeholders from the early stages. This teaches us how to analyze stakeholders and engage them effectively, which helps reduce obstacles during implementation.

She added: Government contracts are often complex, leading to disputes with contractors and suppliers in the Contracts and Claims Management course, so we learned how to analyze contract terms, negotiate solutions before disputes escalate, and take proactive measures to avoid costly legal claims.

Engineer Najia explained that the training refined the engineers’ ability to manage roles and timelines using the Project program, which gave them skills in preparing accurate timelines, identifying required resources, and monitoring performance against the plan to ensure smooth implementation.

She pointed out that the Risk Assessment Techniques and Effective Response Plans program helped engineers anticipate and address problems before they turned into crises, while looking into negotiating with contractors and various parties to be an essential part of the work, while achieving the best contractual terms, and ensuring that projects are implemented according to the highest standards.

Preparing Contracts and Tenders

Regarding the changes introduced by the “Imkan 2” program to the method of preparing government contracts and tenders, Engineer Najia Al-Azri said: Through specialized training courses in contract management, the program has enhanced the ability of engineers to draft clear and comprehensive contracts that reduce legal disputes in the future, while analyzing contractual risks and taking precautionary measures before signing contracts. And working to improve the tendering process through more accurate criteria for selecting qualified contractors.

She pointed out that among the most prominent additions provided by the program is training on the use of the Project program, which helps in managing timelines and distributing roles more efficiently, as well as the use of artificial intelligence in managing projects and contracts. In addition, risk analysis applications that allow engineers to anticipate obstacles and take proactive measures. Also, training on emotional intelligence in the work environment helped enhance communication with work teams, thus improving internal cooperation in projects.

Regarding the results of the “Imkan 2” programme on the construction and infrastructure sector in the coming years, the Head of the Engineering Designs Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources said: With the qualification of a greater number of engineers with advanced skills in professional project management, negotiation and contract management, there will be a noticeable improvement in the implementation of government projects, in terms of: improvement in the efficiency of project implementation, which reduces delays and unexpected costs through effective planning and risk management, and the efficiency of engineering teams in dealing with contractors and stakeholders will increase, which reduces conflict.