Moez Gharbi Interview
Dr. Moez Gharbi is a seasoned project management executive with over 25 years of experience leading multibillion-dollar construction and infrastructure projects across mining, transportation, residential, and industrial sectors. He combines traditional project excellence with digital transformation, automation, and AI-driven strategies to deliver complex megaprojects with precision and sustainability. A tech visionary, researcher, and founder of ChatPMPro.com, Dr. Gharbi is shaping the next generation of project management by bridging innovation with leadership to build smarter, greener, and future-ready ecosystems.
The Pillars of Project Success
We started the interview by asking, “With over 25 years of experience managing multibillion-dollar projects, what do you see as the key factors for ensuring successful project delivery?”
Dr. Moez Gharbi replied, “Successful delivery of large-scale projects is never about a single factor it’s about a carefully balanced ecosystem. At the heart lies clarity of vision and scope, because without alignment at the strategic level, execution often drifts. The second factor is strong governance, which ensures consistency in decision-making and accountability. Financial stewardship accurate budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management provides the stability that keeps projects sustainable. Beyond structure, success requires adaptive execution, meaning the ability to pivot strategies as conditions change while still keeping stakeholders engaged. Over the years, I have seen how vital communication is; weekly and monthly meetings are not just procedural but essential in maintaining trust and alignment across diverse teams. Lastly, embedding digital tools for automatic data capture, visualization and analysis such as PMIS transforms complexity into clarity. When these factors align, projects become not just deliverables, but lasting value for communities and investors alike.”
Lessons from Mega-Projects Bold Vision
The Arab Today: How has your role in these mega-projects shaped your vision for the future of mega-projects?
Dr. Moez Gharbi replied, “Mega-projects represent an ambitious vision that embodies both technological advancement and sustainable living. Working within this sphere has taught me that these large-scale initiatives are no longer just about building infrastructure; they are about creating future-ready ecosystems. In successful mega-projects, digital transformation is a foundational element, not merely an add-on. Every decision is data-driven, every process prioritizes sustainability, and innovation is encouraged at all levels.
This experience has reshaped my vision for the future of mega-projects. I now believe that their success will depend not only on engineering excellence but also on the integration of smart technologies like AI, automation, and digital twins. Furthermore, I am convinced that stakeholder inclusion across governments, industries, and communities is vital for long-term success. The future of mega-projects lies in blending vision, technology, and sustainability to create living models that can serve as blueprints for the world.”
Adapting Strategies across Industries
The Arab Today: You have managed diverse sectors from mining to transportation to residential projects. How do you adapt your project management strategies across industries?
Dr. Moez Gharbi replied, “Adaptability is the cornerstone of effective project management across industries. Each sector comes with its own DNA: mining projects demand heightened focus on environmental impact and logistics, while transportation megaprojects are deeply interconnected with urban planning and government regulations. Residential and industrial projects, on the other hand, often place a premium on user experience and design integration. Despite these differences, the principles of strong project governance remain universal. My approach is to first understand the sector-specific risks, compliance needs, and stakeholder expectations, then build a framework tailored to those realities. Once that foundation is set, I use universal tools and techniques such as earned value management technique, integrated master scheduling, and elicitation techniques. This dual approach industry-specific adaptation plus universal tools and techniques ensure consistency in outcomes while respecting the nuances of each field. My experience across mining, transport, infrastructure, and residential projects has taught me that flexibility combined with precision is the winning formula.”
The Digital Revolution in Project Management
The Arab Today: How has digital transformation changed the landscape of project management in recent years?
Dr. Moez Gharbi replied, “Digital transformation has redefined the very fabric of project management. Where we once relied on reactive reporting and manual updates, we now operate in a predictive, data-driven environment. AI-powered analytics, digital twins, and advanced PMIS platforms have allowed us to model scenarios, forecast outcomes, and intervene proactively rather than reactively. This shift has shortened decision-making cycles and elevated transparency, as stakeholders at all levels now have real-time visibility into progress, risks, and financial performance. My time at MIT, studying Digital Business, provided me with deep insights into how lean startup principles and scalable innovation can be applied to megaprojects. Today, digital transformation means more than just efficiency, it means resilience. It equips us to handle the unexpected, to reallocate resources dynamically, and to maintain collaboration across dispersed global teams. In my view, the future of project management will be defined by those who embrace digital intelligence as a core driver of value.”
Risk Management as the Backbone of Megaprojects
The Arab Today: What role does risk management play in megaprojects, and how do you integrate it effectively?
Dr. Moez Gharbi replied, “Risk management is not just an element of project management it is its backbone, especially for megaprojects. The sheer scale and complexity of these projects mean that even small oversights can result in significant financial or reputational consequences. I believe in embedding risk management at every stage of the project lifecycle, starting with early identification and categorization of risks. Using platforms like ChatPM, we can track not only technical and financial risks but also environmental, political, and societal ones. For me, effective risk management goes beyond tools; it’s about building a culture where every team member is trained to anticipate and mitigate challenges before they escalate. Scenario planning, regular reviews, and dashboard-based monitoring transform risk from a reactive exercise into a proactive discipline. When risk thinking becomes part of the DNA of the project team, we turn potential threats into manageable opportunities for resilience and innovation.”
The Future of Project Management
The Arab Today: You earned a Doctorate Degree in Project and Programme Management focusing on automation and digital transformation. How do you envision the next generation of project management?
Dr. Moez Gharbi replied, “The next generation of project management will be defined by a seamless integration of technology and leadership. Automation will take over repetitive and time-consuming administrative tasks, enabling managers to concentrate on strategic decisions and people leadership. Digital twins, blockchain for contract management, and AI-driven forecasting will ensure unprecedented levels of transparency, traceability, and efficiency. However, I believe the human element will remain irreplaceable as technology can provide insights, but only people can interpret them in the context of culture, ethics, and long-term vision. My doctoral research was centered on building frameworks that reduce complexity in megaprojects by harnessing automation and digital transformation without losing human oversight. The future will not be about replacing people with machines, but about creating a synergy where technology empowers leaders to deliver smarter, faster, and more sustainable outcomes. It is this blend of innovation and humanity that will define the evolution of our profession.”
Empowering Project Leaders
Lastly we asked, “As the founder of ChatPMPro.com, what inspired you to create this platform, and how does it serve today’s professionals?”
“ChatPMPro was born out of my personal experiences, my doctoral research and the challenges I observed across global projects. Too often, project managers were overwhelmed by fragmented systems, outdated reporting methods, and time-consuming administrative work. I wanted to design a platform that would act as a true partner for project professionals, a tool that integrates workflows, templates, and AI-driven insights in a way that is both powerful and easy to use. ChatPMPro enables professionals to streamline processes, monitor risks in real time, and generate clear, actionable reports with minimal effort. What inspired me was the desire to democratize project excellence, giving managers access to the kind of digital intelligence usually reserved for the largest organizations. For me, it’s not just a software solution; it’s a philosophy to empower project leaders with the confidence, clarity, and agility to transform challenges into opportunities in today’s fast-changing environment.” Dr. Moez Gharbi concluded
Connect with Dr. Moez Gharbi on LinkedIn
For more information visit ChatPMPro
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