COVID-19 Global Project

COVID-19 Global Project is exclusively managed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which coordinates and oversees the global efforts of the countries world-wide. Definitely, developing a new innovative medical intervention (drug & vaccine) for Novel Corona Virus comes as a crucial priority. However, such innovations usually take extremely long time. As per the third book in our channel “Management with Merits – Manage to Prosper”, which is (Organizational Theory, Design & Change 2013) the development stage (3rd & final one) for innovative new drugs takes more than 7 years. This is the maximum duration compared to any other products, including jet flights (about 5 years only). Thus, how is this delicate and crucial process managed? This session discusses innovation & project management, which are highlighted in the last 2 chapters from the 3rd part (Organizational Change), in Organizational Theory, Design & Change 2013 Book. Some topics in these two chapters, especially intrapreneurship, power & conflict, are not discussed here because we have taken them before in previous sessions. Please note that we have introduced this book before and finished parts 1 (Organizations & Their Environment) and 2 (Organizational Design – Structure & Culture) of it. Besides, we started last session discussing the 3rd part in it (Organizational Change). To access all the sessions of this book, please click here. To download the associated PDF, please go to the video at YouTube and click on the appropriate link in the description section below the video.

COVID-19 Global Project , Latest Drug Updates

The worst and most prominent problem with Novel Corona Virus is that there is no available drug or vaccine for it. Therefore, with reference to drugs, it’s almost impossible to find a new drug rapidly to assist in stopping the high contagion and death rates of the virus. Therefore, various currently available drugs, which are made and approved for other viruses or diseases, were initially studied. The result was the initial acceptance, by the WHO, of four drugs/drug combinations, to be tested. However, the fourth one (Hydroxychloroquine) or (HCQ) had a problem.

On Fri, May 22, 2020, the (Lancet), which is a professional medical scientific journal, published an observational study, as part of the Solidarity Trial, which is a program of global clinical trials for COVID-19 therapeutics, launched by the WHO. The study was made on Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and concluded that higher mortality rates were observed within the tested patients. Therefore, On May 25, 2020, the WHO officially paused clinical trials on the drug to review safety data. A decision about the issue will be taken mid of next month (June 2020).

COVID-19 Global Project: Two Main & Interrelated Dimensions

The success of COVID-19 global project depends on two primary and interrelated dimensions. The first one is (Management & Organization) while the second one is (Scientific & Medicinal Research). Prompt & correct management & organization practices are necessary to coordinate and oversee the global efforts in combating the virus. Otherwise, these efforts would be useless because they wouldn’t be planned and implemented successfully. That’s why we gave the name (Project) for these efforts because they are coordinated tasks and procedures, performed globally by world’s countries and led by the WHO, in order to eliminate, fight and beat this imminent and grave new danger. Therefore, management & organization is a crucial dimension, especially project management & innovation, given that new medical interventions for the virus are innovations that need to be put in “projects” which turn them from abstract ideas to useful reality. On the other hand, medicinal & scientific research is the 2nd main dimension. In Feb 2020, the WHO held a huge meeting in its headquarters in Geneva to discuss COVID-19. It included experts and scientists of various experimental & social disciplines from the whole world. The Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) of the meeting agreed on intense research in nine thematic research areas; each of which has specific targeted research priorities. This proves that this huge global project of fighting COVID-19 requires research and expertise in multi-disciplines and sciences.

Project Management Four Phases

Our book (Organizational Theory 2013) states that effective project management goes through four main phases. Definitely, these phases can’t go ahead without goals and a fully-articulated plan. Well, in reality, the phases never go in exactly smooth linear manner. Thus, it’s more of an iterative process where phases are strongly interrelated with each other, as well as the goals and the plan. The model below shows the phases. It can be applied on COVID-19 Global Project.

Goals & Plan

The meeting discussed before (Feb 2020, WHO, Geneva) had two primary goals. The 1st was short term while the other was medium and long term. Priory was given to immediately saving lives and providing protection and supplies for patients and medical teams. The meeting and its discussion resulted in a (Coordinated Global Research Roadmap) that guides and controls the global efforts in combating Novel Corona Virus (Mar 2020).

The WHO’s Three-Phased Approach in the Global COVID-19 Project

The WHO has made a timely three-phased approach for the short-term goal. However, it didn’t do so for the medium/long term goal. These three phases can be compared to and applied on the four phases of project management stated in our book.

Phase 1: The Concept

Phase 1 of Project Management is usually the most time consuming because getting clear concepts requires a lot of ideas to be tested and filtered. However, COVID-19 has put the world under extreme and sudden pressure due to its widespread contagion and fatalities. Therefore, the WHO’s meeting in Feb 2020 agreed on eight priority immediate steps to be taken. Developing & working on therapeutics and vaccines are included in the 3rd and 6th steps. In general, this phase of project management can be matched with the 1st phase in the WHO’s approach (Define the Research Priorities).

Phase 2: Initial Test

In Mar 2020, the WHO launched the Solidarity Trial, as stated before in this post. The reason is to accelerate the global testing efforts in one unified global solidarity effort, instead of segmented local isolated trials in different countries. Therefore, this phase can be matched with phase 2 of the WHO’s approach (Facilitate Coordinated Research Actions).

Phase 3: Modification

Modification occurs simultaneously with testing. Thus, it’s subject to the latest & most current outcomes of testing and ongoing research. The temporary stoppage of HydroxyChloroquine from clinical trials because of the Lancet Study, as explained before, provides a vivid example for that. Therefore, this phase of project management comes within the 2nd phase of the WHO’s approach (Facilitate Coordinated Research Actions).

Phase 4: Final Manufacturing – The Last Phase in Project Management & Global COVID-19 Project

This phase has not been reached yet. There are strong ongoing efforts, around the clock, in testing and research in order to reach final and approved medical interventions (vaccines & drugs), and then supply them widely and rapidly to the whole world. Therefore, this step of project management can be matched with the 3rd phase in the WHO’s approach (Scale up Production of Innovations that Have Surpassed an Agreed “Go Criteria).

Final Thoughts for the Global COVID-19 Project

In conclusion, we can clearly state that management & organization must work collaboratively and harmoniously with scientific and medicinal research in order to fight this pandemic globally and reach a happy end (hopefully) to this dark tunnel. Stating nine different scientific disciplines, both social & experimental, by the Science Advisory Group (SAG) of the WHO proves how various sciences complement each other to achieve global humanity goals, such as knocking down the world’s most prominent and strongest enemy currently (COVID-19). Definitely, all of us must make a positive role in this global war by following the required medical and social guidelines stated by official health authorities.

That was our session for today guys. Thank you so much for being with us. This sessions successfully finishes our current book, the 3rd in the channel (Organizational Theory, Design & Change 2013), which took 3 months (Mar, Apr & May 2020). It’s a great achievement that adds to completing the previous two books in the 1st year program (1st Book: Management 2015 & 2nd Book: Entrepreneurship 2016) within the Global English Management & Leadership Book’s Service. The next and last book in the 1st Year Program of books is (Organizations-Behavior, Structure & Processes 2012). It’s a great American Book that we have introduced before in a previous session.

Also, this session we announced the great milestone of the channel of passing 1000 subscribers at YouTube. This is the best and highest achievement for the channel since its launch in Aug 2019, and comes after we initially reached 100 subscribers in the 1st monthly anniversary. Therefore, my sincere thanks and appreciation for all you for this great support. On Fri (May 30, 2020), we will produce a special video & post to discuss this great milestone.

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