CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS FOR PROJECT MANAGERS: Driving Innovation and Structured Decision-Making in Projects
Creative and critical thinking are essential competencies that complement the discipline of project management. Project management is the art and science of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources to achieve specific objectives within defined constraints. However, in today’s dynamic business environment, project managers face complex challenges where the original project plan often evolves as new information and obstacles emerge. To achieve project goals effectively, project managers must go beyond traditional processes and develop the ability to think innovatively and make sound decisions under pressure.
This 2 day program is designed by an experienced and Certified PMP of the Project Management Institute (USA). The main aim is to equip project managers and team leaders with creative and critical thinking skills that drive better planning, problem solving, and decision making throughout the project lifecycle. Using PMI’s process groups and PMP methodology as the framework, this course integrates proven thinking tools and techniques with real-world project management practices. Participants will gain practical skills to generate innovative solutions, evaluate risks and trade offs, communicate decisions clearly, and lead their teams to deliver projects on time, within budget, and with measurable impact.
Learning Outcomes
1. Integrate creative & critical thinking into PMI process groups.
2. Use structured tools (mind maps, RCA, decision trees) to solve project problems.
3. Prepare adaptive plans and clear reports reflecting analysis & innovation.
4. Lead teams with a problem-solving mindset aligned to PMP best practices.
5. Confidently manage constraints and deliver projects with improved decision-making.
Course Details
Trainer
Industries: Oil & Gas, Telco, Defense, Banking, IT, Manufacturing, Retail, Operations, Government, MnC
Wan Syamilah bt. Wan Ismail (Sya Ismail) is a highly experienced project, program, and portfolio management professional with over 25 years of expertise across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, plantation, transportation, IT, energy, and defense.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Marquette University, USA, and is certified in several globally recognized project management credentials including Project Management Professional (PMP®), PRINCE2 Practitioner, Scrum Fundamentals, ITIL v3 Foundation, and IBM Certified Solution Designer. She started her career in an industrial bank and spent 15 years in financial services industry before moving into plantation and IT sector to assume a senior management role.
Over the course of her career, Sya has successfully led and delivered multi-million-ringgit projects for both national
and multinational organizations such as TNB, Bank Negara Malaysia, Maybank, Etiqa Insurance, MINDEF, Sapura
Secured Technologies, and FGV Prodata Systems. Her portfolio includes complex projects in software implementation, ERP and SAP deployment, business intelligence, infrastructure, and operations management, as well as establishing and managing Project Management Office (PMO) and governance frameworks.
She has overseen portfolios exceeding RM350 million and played strategic roles in high-impact programs. Sya is currently a full-time trainer/coach, a consultant, and an international speaker, focusing on project management and leadership topics, conducting certification programs, and providing advisory services.
As a PMI Authorized Training Instructor and HRD Corp Accredited Trainer, she delivers PMP® preparation courses, CAPM® preparation course, project management workshops, and customized in-house training for professionals and organizations throughout Malaysia and the region.
Actively involved in the professional community, she serves as an Ambassador for the Project Management Institute Malaysia Chapter (PMIMY) and has held several leadership positions including Secretary, Director of Planning, and Auditor. She has represented Malaysia at PMI global symposiums and regional leadership meetings and continues to contribute as a speaker and mentor at various professional development events.
With her rich industry experience, structured delivery, and practical insights, Sya is committed to developing future-ready project professionals and enabling organizations to achieve strategic success through effective leadership and project/program management.
Evaluation Summary
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