Reflection on My First Day Back at Work – Lessons in Project Risk and Management

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Today marked my return to work after the festive season and the beginning of 2026. I did not expect the day to bring such an eye-opening experience — one that made me smile, reflect, and learn. I was confronted by five frustrated workers from the appointed contractor for the JCPU Administration Building project. One of the workers had just been released from temporary detention at the police station after the contractor reported them. You can imagine the emotional state of someone who had just come out of detention — stressed, confused, and upset. I took time to talk with them and quickly noticed several failures in the current project management that contributed to this situation. I believe these setbacks are rooted in the early stages of the project, particularly in the following areas: 1. Procurement system of the project 2. Planning phase, including costing and scheduling 3. Lack of written agreements between the main contractor and subcontractors 4. Incompetence and poor leadershi...
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A Small Achievement Worth Smiling About

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
I wouldn’t really call it a graduation day—more like a certificate-giving day. Weird, right?
But anyway, it all started around 3:45 pm while I was staring at my office screen. Suddenly, my phone rang loudly, shocking me out of my thoughts. Wondering who it might be, I answered.

“Hello?”
“Ivory! Bae you no come?” one of my classmates from the contract management course said.
“Eh? Come where? What happen?”
“Mifala everyone lo here now. Today graduation day blo umi!”
“Really?” I asked, still confused.
“Yeah, everyone lo here nao.”

Without even thinking twice, I just said, “Ok, me come distaem.”

I grabbed a cab and headed straight to the venue. Opening the door slowly, I walked in and saw many familiar and new faces. Some were already eating, others still lining up for food. I was welcomed in and joined the line like nothing happened.

After settling down, I ended up having a nice chat with the SINU Dean and the SIIP representatives. Soon after, the Dean handed me my Certificate in Contract Management, neatly placed inside a yellow envelope. I was also asked to collect my small sister’s envelope since she also completed the Financial Management in Construction program.

Both these short courses were initiatives under SIIP/DFAT, supporting local contractors and others in the field through training delivered by SINU TAFE. Honestly, it’s a great opportunity many of us appreciate.

When I got home, I surprised my small sister with her envelope. We both opened ours, looked at each other, and just smiled. No big speeches. Just that silent acknowledgement of, “We did it.”

Maybe this is what they call small achievements
If you like reading this, also read when theory meets reality.

 https://solvoice.blogspot.com/2025/11/when-theory-meets-reality-my-two-weeks.html?m=1

💬Let me know what you think in the comment section below.👇
Certificate of achievements
Me & my sister after me.


All students, SINU reps and SIIP
Students chatting while eating




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