MTN Ghana is transforming project management through strategic data use. This was highlighted by William Tetteh, the Chief Capital Projects Officer of MTN Ghana, at the 2024 National Project Management Conference held at Rock City in the Eastern Region.
Mr. Tetteh emphasized the critical role of data in enhancing project performance and efficiency.
He noted that while raw data provides a comprehensive understanding of project dynamics, data analytics is essential for collecting, unpacking, and presenting it meaningfully.
MTN’s integration of data analytics into its project management has led to significant improvements, including a 40% reduction in project turnaround time. Key areas impacted by data analytics include project trends analysis, performance monitoring, risk management, and resource optimization.
MTN’s data-driven approach involves a multi-step process of data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization. Data is periodically mined from MTN Business Intelligence servers and data warehouses, cleaned for accuracy, and systematically stored to maintain historical records.
Notable projects powered by data insights include the LTE Expansion and RAN Modernization initiative, which addresses the surge in network capacity demand due to the volume of customer additions annually. Similarly, the success of MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) highlights the transformative power of data.
Before MoMo was launched in 2009, a significant portion of Ghana’s population was unbanked. Leveraging data from financial institutions and national surveys, MTN designed a mobile money service that now serves over 15 million users, accounting for over 90% of fintech transactions in Ghana as of December 2023.
With respect to customer service Tetteh said, “The DigiCare project, featuring self-service digital platforms and a chatbot named Zigi, has improved MTN’s customer engagement, with a 56% increase in digital interactions.
The telecom operator’s data strategy is supported by robust governance policies and continuous training to foster a data-driven culture. Overall, MTN Ghana’s strategic use of data has positioned it as a leader in project management excellence.”
As Tetteh rightly put it, “Data is the new oil,” and for MTN Ghana, it is indeed the fuel powering their innovative projects and services.”
During the conference, Manuella Asianoa, Information Technology Project Implementation Coordinator, led a breakout session on “Embracing Design Thinking: A Pathway to Sustainable and Inclusive Project Management.”, where she shared her expertise and insights on this innovative approach. She highlighted how Design Thinking enhances project outcomes by focusing on user needs and fostering creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Asianoa’s insights underscored the approach’s potential to drive more effective, equitable, and sustainable project management.
The National Project Management Conference and Project Management Excellence Awards stand as the largest gathering of Project Management Professionals and change makers in Ghana, bringing together delegates from diverse backgrounds.
The 2024 National Project Management Conference and Project Management Excellence Awards was held under the theme, “Sustainable Project Management Futures: Crafting a Resilient and Inclusive World.” Over 150 delegates attended the event.