sprojm – Society of Project Managers Singapore

SPM engagement with BCA and URA on CORENET X

BCA and URA met the SPM Management Council on 27th May 2024 at the BCA Braddell Campus. The objective of the session was to understand first hand the objectives of CORENET X and the impact to Project Managers in their planning of new and ongoing projects. The key objective of CORENET X is to make the industry more productive by digital adoption and strengthening close collaboration amongst the stakeholders early in the construction process.

Er. Clement Tseng (Group Director, BCA) and Ms. Goh Chin Chin (Group Director, URA) explained that CORENET X is a co-creation effort led by BCA and URA in close collaboration with regulatory agencies, leading built environment professionals, firms and Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs). CORENET X transforms the current regulatory landscape and practices through adoption of BIM technologies and collaborative workflows. In consultation with other regulatory agencies as well as all the key BE players, including consultants, developers and contractors, they released the first version of the CORENET X Code of Practice (COP) to guide industry on the information required across the key submission gateways under CORENET X, from the pre-application phase all the way to obtaining TOP/CSC.

BCA and URA highlighted some of the key dates that the industry needs to be aware of. From June 2024 onwards, CORENET X will be open to industry for submissions on a voluntary basis. It will then be mandatory for all new projects from 1st April 2025, and existing projects will be onboarded from 1H 2026. There are currently 6 ongoing pilot projects and feedback from these will be evaluated to refine the process further. Under the new regulatory approval process of CORENET X, industry will now have to collaborate upfront and prepare a coordinated submission for approval unlike the current method of separate submissions. All CORENET X submissions will have to be prepared in accordance with the requirements and processes stated in the COP. Upon submission, agencies will review the submission collectively and provide a single consolidated response to the project team. In addition, CORENET X will provide all project members greater transparency on the project submission status.

In order for industry to be prepared, they are encouraged to start preparation early by attending CORENET X training courses, familiarising with the COP and taking part in voluntary submissions. More information can be found on the CORENET X website (www.go.gov.sg/cx). Other areas to be strengthened is the quality of BIM resources within each firm.

The SPM will organise a follow up webinar on this topic to create better awareness and reach.

SPM would like to place its appreciation to both BCA and URA for this engaging session.

SPM Social Event: Brewing Bonds

The Social Events Committee chaired by Lim Eng Boon and his team organized a very well attended event on 24 April 2024 at the BCA Academy. The objective of this event was to foster SPM’s community spirit and create awareness amongst Non-SPM Members about the SPM, its objectives and the opportunities for career advancement.

The event was carefully organized by the Committee with delicious food which offered a chance for all guests to mingle and network. The ice breakers were fun and engaging so that all attendees had an enjoyable time. Underlying this was the message that the SPM wants to bring in for new like-minded members to join SPM.

The event was well attended by both SPM members as well as their invited Guests. SPM President Bernard Ho shared the objectives of SPM, the assistance that would be given for interested members to join SPM in terms of their applications. He also spoke on upcoming events such as the Social Golf Event as well as the Annual Dinner, both of which are becoming Milestone Events in the calendar of the Built Environment Fraternity.

OUTSTANDING PROJECT MANAGERS AWARD 2024

The Society is pleased to announce the launch of the search for the Outstanding Project Manager 2024.

This Award aims to highlight the multi-faceted leadership role of a Project Manager. Apart from meeting the many project objectives of the client, the Project Manager has to be knowledgeable in design and construction matters and uphold a high standard of professionalism to earn the respect of all parties in a project.

There are 8 categories for the OPM 2024 Awards:

Outstanding Project Manager (Contract Sum > S$85Million)
Outstanding Project Manager (Contract Sum < S$85Million)
Outstanding Young Project Manager (Contract Sum > S$20Million)
Outstanding Project Manager (Client) i) Infrastructure ii) Building
Innovator of the Year
Outstanding Project Manager for Special Project
Outstanding Publication on Project Management
Outstanding Project Manager for International Project

All entries for the OPM 2024 Awards are to be electronic and submitted to SPM latest by Saturday, 15^th June 2024, 5pm (SG Time)

Address to : SPM OPM 2024 Committee

Email address : [email protected]

Download :
Outstanding Project Manager 2024 – Circular
Outstanding Project Manager 2024 – Application Guidelines

Past Winners :
2020 OPM Winners
2022 OPM Winners

Book Launch – Construction Arbitration by Mr Chow Kok Fong

The book launch by Mr Chow Kok Fong was held at JW Marriot at South Beach on 17 Nov 2023. It was attended by more than 150 practitioners, lawyers, Judges and invited guests.

Mr Chow, a seasoned writer, published more than 20 books so far . He sets aside time each Saturday to do his writing after walking his 20,000 steps to keep both mind and body fit.

The Seminar & Book Launch Of The ” Construction Arbitration” gave audience insights of how Mr Chow addresses practical and pragmatic challenges in Arbitration, whether it is resolving the difference between quantum and cost , or , the approach to challenges issues in complex construction cases. Mr Chow’s systematic approach gives insights to how he thinks when approaching such challenges . These are peals of wisdom for practitioners in the industry.

The seminar that followed discussed the practical issues on dealing with experts and managing documents in the construction Arbitration.

Kirin (Dentons) discussed about downsizing voluminous and convoluted documents, digitally storing them and equipped with data security. There is an element of good indexing for fast and accurate data extraction. Edwin (Elden Law) discussed on getting good lawyers and not to cap the fees of lawyers else good support would not be given. On the issue of engaging experts, Chien Mien (A&G) mentioned the need for independence of good and reliable experts that are not bias. Ian (Wong P) also emphasized that both Counsel and Experts have to be well prepared in all aspects else opposing Counsel will “crucify” the opposing parties and experts. He further elaborated that the Experts should not come to conclusions in their expert reports and statements, but rather, be objective of the evidence before the expert.

Generally, the speakers also commented that Lawyer fee agreements may provide for an “uplift” that is agreed upfront and not pegged to a “contract sum” sort of an arrangement. Certainly the no win-no fee arrangement is discouraged.

The seminar session ended off with a Panel discussion with questions directed to Mr Chow on how he would choose good experts and choose on the various ways to get value from the Experts and to spend their time effectively in the preparation, reports and the like. For instance, there is the Expert led Hot- Tubbing, Tribunal Let Hot-Tubbing and Counsel Led Hot-Tubbing and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Rather than concentrate on the expert themselves, lawyers should get value out of the experts on their opinions and knowledge.

We look forward to Mr Chow’s next book launch and seminar session.

ACCREDITATION OF PROJECT MANAGERS(NEW SCHEME)

We are pleased to announce SPM will be embarking on a new Accreditation Scheme for Project Managers as follows:

Tier 1 – Professional Project Director (PPD)

Tier 2 – Professional Project Manager (PPM)

Tier 3 – Certified Project Manager (CPM)

For existing SPM Members, the commencement of the exercise to migrate current Ordinary and Fellow members of SPM to the Certified Project Manager (CPM) scheme is ongoing.

For more information pertaining Application and Migration Forms please click on link : https://www.sprojm.org.sg/Accreditation

New Accreditation Scheme Requirments – Download

Society of Project Managers Singapore

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