FT UNS Appoints New Professor in Project Management to Enhance Engineering Education
The Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has appointed a new Professor in Project Management, Prof. Dr. Ir. Retno Wulan Damayanti, S.T., M.T. This title was conferred by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Hartono, during a ceremony held on February 12, 2025, at the G.P.H. Haryo Mataram Auditorium.
Inaugural Lecture on Sustainable Project Management
In her inaugural lecture, titled “Harmonizing Humans and Technology for Sustainable Project Management,” Prof. Damayanti addressed the challenges associated with the sustainable integration of technology and human activities. She provided historical context regarding project management timelines, contrasting the 14-year completion of the National Monument (Monas) from 1961 to 1975 with the significantly shorter four-year timeline for the Thamrin Nine Tower 1 in Jakarta, completed between 2017 and 2021. Additionally, she cited SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology as an example of human innovation achieving ambitious outcomes.
Complexities in Modern Project Management
Prof. Damayanti identified three primary complexities in modern project management: structural, social, and emergent. Structural complexities involve technical and organizational challenges, exemplified by the Pertamina Energy Tower. Social complexities relate to stakeholder engagement, illustrated by the negotiations in the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project involving landowners and vendors. Emergent complexities stem from dynamic systems related to Industry 4.0.
Core Competencies in Project Management
The professor emphasized the necessity of three core competencies in effective project management: technical competence for addressing structural challenges, emotional and social competence for managing interpersonal dynamics, and adaptive competence for dealing with uncertainties. The integration of these skills is critical for ensuring project success.
Case Study: Induction Stove Project
A case study was presented through a 2022 pilot project in Indonesia aiming to transition from LPG gas stoves to induction stoves in Surakarta. This project seeks to advance Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on promoting access to clean and affordable energy while reducing government subsidies for LPG.
Challenges and Strategies in Implementation
The initiative encountered structural challenges, such as data validation and social resistance, along with emergent issues related to policy changes and funding. However, project managers implemented technical skills, socio-emotional engagement, and adaptive strategies to ensure effective execution. Research identified nine essential factors that contributed to the sustainability of the project, including policy support, public perception, cost analysis, infrastructure readiness, and financial management.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Project Management
In summary, Prof. Damayanti asserted that contemporary project management should adopt a holistic approach that harmonizes technological advancements with human and environmental considerations. She noted that success is increasingly measured by the positive long-term impacts on society and the environment, urging future project leaders to fuse innovative technological solutions with human values.
(Source: Universitas Sebelas Maret)
