Insights from Power Talks: Strategic PM

As part of our inaugural "Power Talks: Strategic PM", PMLogic’s CEO James Bawtree sat down with Manar Wanli, CPPE, P3O, a seasoned Portfolio Management and Capital Infrastructure Specialist with over two decades of experience in project governance and construction management — and a proud PwC alumna — to explore how portfolio management is evolving in today’s complex environments.

Watch the full interview here:

From validation to value: the power of professional certification

Manar’s motivation to pursue the Certified Practising Portfolio Executive (CPPE) credential through the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) stemmed from a desire to validate his extensive global experience in Australia. Unlike traditional exams, the CPPE is an evidence-based process that rigorously assesses real-world capability.

“It’s not about ticking boxes—it’s about proving you’ve actually delivered results,” Manar explained.

For him, this distinction turned certification into a true benchmark of professional credibility.

Balancing community needs with public responsibility

One of Manar’s biggest professional challenges has been ensuring that public funds are invested effectively. During his time with Moonee Valley City Council, he led initiatives to prioritise capital works transparently, ensuring each decision aligned with community needs and limited budgets. Through collaborative workshops and clear criteria, he helped transform the EPMO’s role from “gatekeeper” to strategic partner—building trust and shared ownership across departments.

Enterprise alignment: lessons from PwC and beyond

While working with PwC to establish the EPMO for the Saudi National Housing Company, Manar experienced firsthand the complexity of aligning multiple departments under one strategic vision. The key lesson? True enterprise success depends on holistic alignment—understanding how every project contributes to the broader organisational purpose.

Interactive workshops and cross-department dashboards allowed teams to visualise dependencies and priorities, shifting their mindset from isolated delivery to collective performance.

Technology as an enabler—not a shortcut

Although a self-professed tech enthusiast, Manar emphasised that technology only works when supported by sound processes and clean data.

“A tool can transform reporting from days to minutes—but only if your data and governance are strong.”

His experience implementing project management tools reinforced the need for process integration, user training, and cultural change. Tools must serve the framework, not replace it.

Emerging trends reshaping portfolio management

Manar identified two major shifts shaping the industry:

1. Value Realisation Focus – Moving beyond “on time, on budget” toward measuring real community and business impact.

   
   

2. Data-Driven Decision Making – Leveraging analytics, predictive models, and AI to anticipate risks and optimise performance.

These shifts, he noted, will redefine what success looks like for modern EPMOs.

AI: the next frontier—with human oversight

AI is already transforming how data is interpreted and how scenarios are modelled, especially in construction and infrastructure.

Manar envisions AI as a co-pilot—a support tool to access information, analyse trends, and streamline reporting. Yet she cautions that its effectiveness depends on data integrity and cultural readiness. James added that while AI offers enormous potential, critical thinking remains essential:

“We can’t let AI do the thinking for us. Trust, but verify.”

Human skills remain at the heart of success

In a world of automation, Manar reminded us that communication, empathy, and trust remain the foundations of high-performing teams. In hybrid environments, where digital interactions dominate, leaders must make a conscious effort to listen actively, connect authentically, and foster collaboration.

“Communication is more than talking—it’s understanding,” he concluded.

Key takeaway

The future of portfolio management will blend technology, transparency, and human connection. As data and AI shape decisions, the ability to communicate purpose, build trust, and think critically will define the next generation of project leaders.

Don’t miss the full interview — watch it here:

At PMLogic, we believe in empowering professionals through shared insights and real-world experience.

Stay tuned for the next session of our "Power Talks: Strategic PM", where we’ll continue to explore the evolving dimensions of project, program, and portfolio excellence.

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