Rewind: 2001 ~ 2021
PM Link began operations on 10 April 2001, in a year when Singapore was dealing with a recession. It was the year in which then-Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Goh Chok Tong shared his vision to turn Singapore into a global city, able to compete in the changing global and regional environment.
Amidst this backdrop, PM Link was established to offer quality project management services through innovative and customised solutions to clients large and small. For clients who have goals and aspirations to create new projects for Singapore’s built environment, PM Link would be able to offer them a higher level of customer service than the larger project management firms at that time.
Since its inception, PM Link continues to have a lean structure and a diverse pool of young talents mentored by experienced project managers (PMs), enabling the company to react quickly to changes in the industry while attaining clients’ goals and objectives.
In the last 20 years, PM Link has grown from strength to strength, with a strong track record. The company has a solid reputation as one of Singapore's premier project management companies with successful projects in the built environment such as Eunoia Junior College, Fusionopolis Phase 2A, Gardens by The Bay, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), Woodlands Division HQ, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and State Courts.
Rewind: Top 4 Most Memorable Projects by PM Link
Between 2001 and 2020, PM Link helped clients successfully deliver on their aspirations for one-of-a-kind projects for the built environment projects that would address future needs of society. Among these were Eunoia Junior College (EJC), Fusionopolis Phase 2A (F2A), Gardens by The Bay and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
1. Eunoia Junior College (EJC)
EJC is Singapore’s first high rise junior college that is co-located with a community club for residents in the surrounding estate.
Ms. Wong Shien Yu, Project Manager at PM Link, who managed the project at EJC, explained a key challenge for this project. “Students of EJC were occupying a temporary location while this new campus in Bishan was under construction. As the PM for this new campus, I knew that it was imperative to ensure on-time achievements of specific milestones such as obtaining the temporary occupation permit (TOP) so that students could start the new school year in Bishan.”
“For the TOP, we had to rally the various stakeholders to work quickly to resolve issues and undertake necessary modification works. It was many months of high-pressure work, but in the end, we made it!”
2. Fusionopolis Phase 2A (F2A)
In 2001, the government unveiled the masterplan for the Buona Vista science hub project, later renamed one-north, to reflect Singapore's geographical position one-degree north of the equator. The 200-hectare one-north project was targeted at three industries – biomedical sciences, infocommunications and media, and financial and business services. Among the developments in one-north would be the Fusionopolis cluster.
JTC Corporation (JTC) designed the Fusionopolis cluster to provide an environment for professionals such as scientists and researchers in information and communications technologies (ICT), media, physical sciences, and engineering industries to grow and thrive in.
PM Link was appointed the project manager for Fusionopolis Phase 2A which housed dry and wet laboratories, clean rooms, and vibration-sensitive test-bedding facilities. Completed in 2014, Phase 2A contained Singapore's largest research and development (R&D) cleanroom facility, a business park and research and development (R&D) space for key scientific and research institutions.
The project manager for Phase 2A was Mr. Chung Chai Wee, Consultant at PM Link, who has been with the company for 11 years in the 25 years he has spent in Singapore’s building and construction industry. He is a firm believer in a strong team spirit, especially among the project managers.
“Being the PM for a major project such as Fusionopolis Phase 2A means that I must step up to demonstrate leadership in the project team. As the leader, I have to initiate and manage difficult conversations to hear the issues and problems faced by project members, understand the different viewpoints and work closely with the client team to resolve the problems effectively. I have a passion for order, and this has helped me in many complex projects as I can organise things to ensure that work gets completed in a systematic, effective and productive manner.”
3. Gardens by the Bay
At its official opening in 2012, Prime Minister Mr. Lee Hsien Loong said that Gardens by the Bay was a realisation of Singapore’s City in a Garden vision. Set in the heart of the city’s new downtown, Gardens by the Bay would be an icon of the redeveloped Marina Bay and a jewel in the skyline of Singapore city.
Mr. Lee pointed out that Gardens by the Bay would be interesting from an engineering perspective. He said: “It is not just plant-wise beautiful and interesting, also engineering-wise, many "green" innovations in the park replicate the self-sustaining features of nature.” He explained that these pilot projects are proof of concepts which could offer potential for wider implementation in green and sustainable Singapore.
PM Link was the project manager for Gardens by the Bay. Leading the PM team was a veteran in Singapore’s building and construction industry with 38 years of experience, Mr. Mak Yew Cheong, Senior Consultant at PM Link. He has been with the company since it began in 2001, and he recalls that this project was a significant project involving multiple parties from master plan to completion, including works with foreign consultants.
A critical success factor was teamwork – not just within the project team but with the client team. “Our relationship with the client was excellent, largely since we had a project team with great working attitude, good rapport and high levels of mutual trust and understanding,” he says.
With a passion for civil and structural engineer, Yew Cheong started his career as a junior engineer after attaining his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree and became a Fellow awarded by the Institution of Structural Engineers in the United Kingdom. As a structural engineer, he had seen some practices in the industry that concerned him. Over time, his desire to manage risks in projects fairly and equitably drove him to become a project manager.
“As a PM, I am in the position to influence the direction of projects and to take charge of situations in the projects by involving the project team members and the client effectively. We all need to work as a team to facilitate the smooth delivery of the project and achieve the desired project success. Gardens by the Bay is a good example of this effective team involvement and project management leadership.”
4. National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID)
A first in Singapore, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) is a 330-bed purpose-built facility designed to strengthen the country’s capabilities in infectious disease management and prevention. Housing various clinical services, public health, research, training and education, and community engagement, the NCID is benchmarked to international standards and best practices for treatment and safety.
Ms. Helena Phua was the Project Manager at PM Link, responsible for the successful delivery of NCID. “There is no better reward for a job than seeing your project completed to serve the needs of society. I am proud to be the PM for NCID because this centre has been a pillar of strength in Singapore's effective response to infectious outbreaks such as COVID-19.”
“As the PM, I am aware that even though everyone’s focus may be on the built environment project, we need to pro-actively build and strengthen relationships with our project teams through trust and timely communications. That’s because it is the people that make or break the projects. Having everyone working as one will ensure the success of the project.”
Proud Legacy for Singapore
In many projects, the dynamic PMs in PM Link have been commended by clients for their professionalism, positive attitude and leadership skills.
“I'm proud of our PMs. Their dedication and professionalism have enabled them to deliver successful projects for Singapore's built environment. These projects are our contribution to society,” says Mr. Tan Cheng Chuah, Managing Director of PM Link.
“Our projects offer the best built environments for a wide range of needs -- education, innovation, healthcare and many more. Through these projects, our PMs can make a difference in the lives of ordinary people in Singapore. We are proud to build a stronger and more resilient Singapore yesterday, for today and tomorrow.”
Our PMs share your aspirations of success. If you wish to discuss your project requirements with us, please send us your Request For Quotation (RFQ) or Request For Information (RFI).