IAP2M Fall Conference (2007) Report

Takahiro MIYAO (Professor and Head, Japanese Institute of Global Communications, IUJ)

The 2007 Fall Conference of IAP2M (International Association of Project & Program Management) was held at Nippon Institute of Technology, Jinbocho Campus, on September 28.

After Chairman Kunio Yoshida's introductory address, Tosei Electrobeam President Tamotsu Ueno (photo) gave a keynote lecture on "Management and Innovation in New Competitive Era," where he emphasized the importance of networking small but innovative companies in various technological fields to maintain and improve the international competitiveness of Japan's manufacturing industries.

In the afternoon, this year's general meeting was held, where the need to increase the association membership and strengthen its financial base was recognized.

After the general meeting, there were a series of seminars on four tracks, namely, "integration," "development," "organization" and "medical" tracks. On the development track, there were a number of interesting papers: for example, Professor Hideo Yamamoto presented his experience of using "narrative and manga" materials to train students and adults in business major.

On the integration track, Professor Toshihiko Kinoshita revisited the issue of Japanese management in the global economy and suggested the need to adopt innovation-oriented project management, rather than kaizen-oriented project management.

In the final workshop session, discussions took place among five panelists about "reforming Japanese manufacturing by PM approach," and a number of examples and future prospects for management reform were presented. The overall impression for the Fall Conference was the general recognition of the need for reform and innovation in management in the context of P2M.

This report is adopted from the following blog (with its Japanese translation):
http://glocom.blog59.fc2.com/blog-date-20070930.html