Pham Ngoc Duc - Project Manager Story of Mr. Pham Ngoc Duc Pham Ngoc Duc - Project Manager Story of Mr. Pham Ngoc Duc Strengths Over 15 years working for Obayashi, practical job experience in construction helps me much in management works including communication and teamwork. I understand how to build a project plan and put together the strengths of each member to specific assignment. By connecting our hearts together, nothing impossible. PM Experience 1+ As the New Year approaches us with hopes anew, I wish you and your family a wonderful year ahead. INTERVIEW HIM AT CURRENT PROJECT SITE Interviewer: Both Japanese and Vietnamese have the same culture of “(Customary to send the former imperialist)”, cleaning up the old things at the end of year, to start a new year fresh and new, how will you prepare for the new year at construction site? Pham Ngoc Duc: Just like every year, Gemba staffs will spend the last 2 days to clean up the site, protect unused materials, arrange and storage in order so that we can catch up the progress faster after Tet holiday. Interviewer: Having fun during Tet holiday but not to forget the tasks at site, do you have any tips to arrange for the project to keep the progress in track, but still make sure everyone is happy to welcome Tet? Pham Ngoc Duc: The fact that the workers always take longer Tet holiday will affect the construction progress. In order for the project to keep pace, I have planned to push target finishing percentage faster in the collaboration of subcontractors, to catch up on the works missing during Tet holidays. Interviewer: I wonder if there are any employees needed to stand by on-site during Tet holidays? Pham Ngoc Duc: Different from previous projects, this project is located within existing factory; so to keep the project safe, I have assigned a professional security unit to cooperate with the Owner’s security guard; however, in emergency case, Obayashi staffs shall immediately response. Interviewer: As a habit, Vietnamese people often set new year’s resolutions, things to do, or, a promise to themselves. For you, at workplace, what’s New Year’s Resolutions for Gemba Safety in 2020? Pham Ngoc Duc: For the target of project Safety completely, first of all, safety measures and equipment should be considered to be in accordance with our system and procedures must be checked carefully before proceeding. We will coordinate with QC-Safety team to control and review, eliminate risks during each construction phases, to ensure that all works have been carried out under the strict supervision of Safety and Quality. Interviewer: So, for personal life, have you made any New Year’s resolution for your family in 2020? Pham Ngoc Duc: I haven’t had a detailed plan yet, I think in 2020, work-life balance is not only for me and my family, but I hope all site engineers will arrange time more for their family and take care of their health better. Interviewer: Many people kick in the new year by watching fireworks at New Year’s Eve together, or going to pagoda to pray for good health, or spring picking for good luck and bringing fortune to the house. How about you? Pham Ngoc Duc: My family is so eager for taking a walk and watching fireworks at New Year’s Eve Interviewer: Does your family still keep the tradition of making Banh Chung for Tet? Pham Ngoc Duc: This is an indispensable traditional beauty in my family, a few days before Tet, my kids are learning how to pack “Banh Chung” with my parents, my brothers/sisters in my hometown, which is also a meaningful occasion for family reunion. Interviewer: In 2019, we achieved good performance thanks to “connecting our hearts together”, hopefully in 2020, the connection is not only in Obayashi Vietnam, but also spreads to Obayashi in Southeast Asian countries, our targets are in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar…etc., As a Project Manager, what would you do to make this happen? Pham Ngoc Duc: It’s so great if we can connect together by sharing experience, exchanging culture and helping each other for the same target. Year comes to an end soon! Hope you are happy at work and have a great time with your family to prepare for a warm, happy new year
Nguyen Tuan Chung - Project Manager Story of Mr. Nguyen Tuan Chung Nguyen Tuan Chung - Project Manager Story of Mr. Nguyen Tuan Chung Strengths I am able to measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques thanks to my year by year technical experience. My long-term service dedication to Obayashi helps me a lot to coordinate internal resources and third parties/ for the flawless execution of projects and ensure the team sticks to its scope of work. PM Experience 1+ (ABCD Hai Duong phase 2, Sanyu Seimitsu Phase 3, Kyocera SMD Frit interior facility) This is the first time I have met you, so I will have many questions for you. Thank you for your time to share with us your work at Site (Gemba) as a Project Manager. INTERVIEW HIM AT CURRENT PROJECT SITE Interviewer: In your opinion, what is the strengths of Vietnamese market as many years you’ve been working in Construction Industry? Chung: Vietnam provides high quality construction services, low labor & materials costs, and a large number of manpower, going through a transformative period, the quality of the country overall infrastructure with investment in construction, housing projects across the country needs to be improved; so Vietnam Construction Industry (VCI) keeps growing and receiving positive support in terms of legal procedures from the state as well as the Vietnamese government. Interviewer: How can we make our buildings green? Chung: Before construction, we consider the environment in design, construction and operation, depending on the analysis of environmental impact assessment by authorities, we will have proper solutions to minimize negative impacts on the surrounding environment. We use renewable energy, such as solar energy, materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable; especially focus on efficient use of energy, water and other resources. Interviewer: I am so curious where is construction garbage going? Chung: Construction rubbish at site (Gemba) are classified according to the standard, in order to reduce risks of illegal transportation and disposal, OVC Staffs (PIC) are arranged at random to investigate carefully and we sign contract directly with authorized/licensed companies for garbage treatment as regulation. Interviewer: Air pollution in Hanoi exceeds red-warning level, as a Hanoian, how do you think? Chung: This is a serious matters now, silent killer, cause severe health problems to community. Interviewer: Can you share the favorable ways to protect your health? Chung: Think positive, do morning exercise, sometimes do my favorite sports – table ping pong, volleyball. Interviewer: I heard that Engineers often have a dry sense of humor, do you belong to this term? Chung: Not really (smile), a small part is correct. I am active and have fun at work and life. Interviewer: What makes you feel happy? Chung: Make a good contribution to career Interviewer: What is your ideal day? Chung: Enjoyable weekend with family Interviewer: When you feel the most relaxing? Chung: playing with kids after finishing my job
Bui Van Dat - Project Manager Story of Mr. Bui Van Dat Bui Van Dat - Project Manager Story of Mr. Bui Van Dat Strengths Dat is a careful, enthusiastic and responsible person at work. As a project manager, he controls the budget, progress and quality to handover the project according to goals. He is the person who is able to connect and coordinate closely with the team members to complete the task as scheduled! PM Experience 1+ Turning point Project Manager - Futaba Sangyo Over 6.5 months of working on the project, you are finally ready to welcome the opening celebration of Futaba Sangyo in the middle of October. This is your first project as a Project manager, it’s a great challenge; of course, many projects are awaiting you, and in your current role, you will take up a new challenge with “SUPER HOTEL” project, the first hotel project of Obayashi Vietnam. INTERVIEW HIM AT CURRENT PROJECT SITE So, what is your feeling after handing over your first project? Mr. Dat: When our team has finished the project, I feel so happy and proud of handing it over and ensuring the progress and quality. Interviewer: As a Project Manager, what’s the difficulties that we may not know when executing a project? Mr. Dat: We are pushing to complete the work items one month earlier when owner needs to install their machine and facilities. Interviewer: After handing over the project, what concerns you most? Mr. Dat: I am always thinking of finding solutions so that the next projects will not face the difficulties like this project. Interviewer: When you are busy or away from home, how do your children react? Mr. Dat: I always teach my children to have independent skills and a high sense of responsibility, so whenever I'm busy or away from home, I can show my responsibility to my children. So they are proud of me when I'm busy or away from home. Interviewer: Thinking about the 12-year journey in Obayashi, what is your first impression? Mr. Dat: The first image in my mind about OVC is that all of our projects have been completed and delivered on schedule and with good quality. Interviewer: Have you ever got bored with your current job? Mr. Dat: In a particular period I was losing motivation at work, but I changed and I am excited to work at OVC, I realize that this is a very good environment for us to accumulate and promote working skills and experience. Interviewer: What is your joy now? Mr. Dat: Completing my work at the company and gathering with my family after daily working time. Interviewer: What’s your next plan? Mr. Dat: I am planning to get Master degree when I have time Thank you so much for your sharing! Have a good day!
Thuong Nguyen Dinh Phuong - Project Manager Story of Mr. Thuong Nguyen Dinh Phuong Thuong Nguyen Dinh Phuong - Project Manager Story of Mr. Thuong Nguyen Dinh Phuong Strengths Phuong is directly responsible for overseeing specifically assigned projects. As a Project Manager, he has control over project budgets and schedules to hand-over projects within approved parameters. He facilitates communication among project team members and insures that tasks are completed in a timely manner. PM Experience 3+ (289 Tran Hung Dao - Dan On Project – United Packaging – VREC) With his experience, he takes up the new assignment as Project Manager for the VREC project currently. To know more about him and his new challenge, we had an interview with him at project site this month. INTERVIEW HIM AT CURRENT PROJECT SITE Interviewer: Can you briefly describe a bit about your current project? Phuong: VREC is a company to produce Rare Element Chemical; this is the 2nd Factory of VREC Co. We started this project in February 2019, the construction progress until now is estimated about 55%, and scheduled to handover in February 2020. Interviewer: What are some of the challenges in managing a project? Phuong: Safety and Schedule are always the challenge for PM during construction. Interviewer: Construction jobs involve more than just what we see on a construction site (GEMBA), how do you ensure you and your team deliver or exceed customer expectations? Phuong: With the standard of Obayashi and Obayashi Vietnam that we applied, it can meet the customer expectations. Besides that, the experience of each member applying in supervising work also enriches the quality. Interviewer: How do you motivate team members? Phuong: Co-working, meeting and even co-party can be applied to motivate our team members. Our company has manner “WEDNESDAY NO OT-overtime” also give us chance for motivation. Interviewer: What is your communication style with your team? Phuong: Beside the directly instruction, we have weekly meeting to discuss and attend site activities together. Interviewer: How to stay calm when you know you’ll be stressed? Phuong: Step by step solve the matters happen, you will feel free and relax. Sometime slow motion life is very useful to face with the stress. Interviewer: What advice would you give to students who might want to be project managers? Phuong: Work experience is very important to be a Manager, especially in construction, you also need to study about the new materials, new technology and cost.