S8E19319 December 2024

S8E193: The 4 reasons why modern projects fail with David Whitmore

S8E193

S8E193: The 4 reasons why modern projects fail with David Whitmore

0:000:00
100%

This episode is proudly sponsored by Deltek In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, host Dale speaks with David Whitmore about the complexities of project management, particularly in the context of engineering and nuclear projects. They discuss the four key reasons why projects fail, emphasizing the importance of relationships, decision-making speed, complexity, and digital integration. David shares insights from his extensive experience in the field, highlighting the need for project managers to understand both the technical and managerial aspects of their roles. The conversation also touches on the significance of measuring relationships and behaviours in project tendering processes to ensure successful outcomes. In this conversation, David Whitmore discusses the critical aspects of project management, focusing on the importance of relationship scores, the integration of digital technology, and the need for streamlined decision-making processes. He emphasises the significance of decision logs for learning and the potential of digital twins in simulating project outcomes. The discussion also highlights the challenges posed by increasing complexity in projects and the necessity for a holistic approach to digital systems. Whitmore advocates for a future where project management adapts to these complexities, ensuring that projects are delivered effectively and efficiently.

Guest

David Whitmore

David Whitmore

Strategic Advisor at migso-pcubed

David has worked on major projects throughout his 40 year career. Largely in defence, nuclear and energy, but also other related sectors. Having started as an apprentice (highly recommended!) he has worked at at all levels of project management including at exec level where he has held director roles at Rolls-Royce, Horizon Nuclear Power, Atkins and now at leading PM consultant MIGSO-PCUBED. These days he has taken a step back from delivery and spends his time thinking about why projects seem to be much harder to deliver than when he started out. His research has been undertaken in partnership with UCL and he has presented far and wide on the topic. He believes he understands why modern projects fail and what we can do about it. Uncomfortably for project managers he now believes project management is the wrong approach to delivering modern projects.

Connect

Related Episodes

More conversations on similar topics

S10E219

S10E219: Why 88% of Schedules Fail, and What AI Still Can't Fix with Michael Pink

88% of project schedules don't follow best practice. So why are we so keen to feed that data into AI and trust the output? In this episode, Dale and Val are joined by Michael Pink, Founder of SmartPM, for a sharp conversation on the forensic side of delay and the state of AI in project controls. Mike has analysed hundreds of thousands of schedules and built a career on working out who delayed what, and why nobody could ever agree. His core message: clean data is not the same as honest data. A technically tidy schedule can tell you a story that never happened, and if you point AI at it, you don't get insight, you get a confident wrong answer at scale. What we cover: Mike's route into construction, from a study-abroad debt to KPMG's construction consulting group 25 years of change in the people and process side of scheduling The shift from reactive forensic work to proactive project controls Data honesty vs data quality, and why integrity is the combination of both (framing credited to Isaac Dyer and Carlos Sanchez) The 88% problem: missing logic, inflated float and moving dates The compression factor, and the exact point a schedule becomes infeasible Why a weekly update beats a monthly one, for almost no extra time P6 vs Microsoft Project, and grading schedule quality across 35 metrics Where LLMs genuinely help, and why quantitative AI is still the long game The future of the scheduler: less building and cleaning, more strategy A genuinely optimistic look at where the profession is heading, and why this might be the best time yet to be in project controls. This episode is proudly sponsored by nPlan.nPlan Summer AI Day 2026: Construction Superintelligence takes place in London on Thursday 25 June 2026, with a fireside featuring Peter Hancock, Project Director at National Grid, and Dima Pogorelsky, MD and Partner at BCG. February's event sold out with standing room only. Register here:https://www.nplan.io/events/nplan-summer-ai-day-2026-construction-superintelligence Connect with Michael Pink at https://www.smartpm.com or on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, help us pay it forward and share it. Stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it.

Listen Now
S10E214

S10E214: Understanding the Complexity of Modern Data Centers with Dr Atif Ansar

In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Val and Dale welcome Atif Ansar, co-founder of Foresight, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of data centers. Atif shares insights on the explosive growth and increasing complexity of data centers, highlighting the challenges related to energy supply, skilled labor, and technology redundancy. The conversation explores the role of AI in enhancing data center design and construction, the impact of edge computing, and the skills needed for future project professionals in this dynamic field. Atif also touches on innovative concepts like space-based data centers, emphasizing the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. In this conversation, the speakers explore the intersection of creativity and AI, discussing how technology influences project management and the future of jobs. They emphasize the importance of human essence in a technology-driven world and the evolving nature of data centers amidst global competition. The discussion also touches on the necessity of adapting to technological advancements and the potential for superintelligence in the future. Takeaways šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Data centers are experiencing explosive growth, with construction volume increasing significantly. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The complexity of data centers has evolved, making them more akin to industrial assets than simple warehouses. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Data centers require substantial energy, land, and skilled labor, creating challenges in construction. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The lifespan of data centers is long, but technology within them evolves rapidly, leading to potential obsolescence. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø AI can significantly enhance the design and construction processes of data centers. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Edge computing complements data centers, creating a fractal-like relationship between different computing structures. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Project professionals should focus on becoming subject matter experts while also being adaptable and open to using AI.šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The energy supply for data centers is a critical constraint, but innovation in self-supply and renewable energy is emerging. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Understanding the components and costs associated with data centers is essential for project professionals. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The future of data centers may include innovative concepts like space-based facilities. Creativity enhances the effectiveness of project management. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø AI allows generalists to be more valuable than specialists. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Human jobs will evolve rather than disappear due to AI. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The demand for human-specific jobs will be based on human preferences. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Technological advancements can improve quality of life and efficiency. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The luxuries of one generation become necessities for the next. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø We are transitioning from an analog to a digital world. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Data centers are crucial in the global tech race. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø The construction of data centers will continue to grow exponentially. šŸ—ļøšŸ‘·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø Continuous learning is essential in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:58 The Growth and Complexity of Data Centers 05:23 Key Components of Data Centers 08:01 The Future of Data Centers in Space 11:24 Energy Supply Challenges for Data Centers 15:30 Technology Redundancy and Lifespan of Data Centers 20:43 Edge Computing and Its Impact 23:58 AI's Role in Data Center Design and Construction 27:29 Skills for Future Project Professionals in Data Centers 30:44 The Intersection of Creativity and AI 33:46 The Future of Jobs in an AI World 36:18 Human Essence in the Age of Technology 39:39 The Evolution of Technology and Human Experience 43:42 Data Center Dynamics and Global Competition 52:11 The Future of Project Management and Technology #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications

Listen Now
S10E222

S10E222: Why Great Project Leaders Go to the Movies with Dawn Mahan

What if the fastest way to align a project team wasn't another 47-slide deck, but a two-minute film clip? In Episode 222, Dale and Val sit down with Dawn Mahan, project leader, educator and author, to unpack why movies are surprisingly powerful tools for project leadership, communication and team alignment. Dawn coined the term "Project Land" to explain why the world of projects behaves so differently from the day job, and it has stuck with thousands of people since. We get into: Dawn's origin story, from Y2K coder to accidental project manager after one out-of-the-blue phone call Why Apollo 13, The Martian and The Matrix explain iteration, problem-solving and belief better than most training courses The real reason projects fail, and why the root cause almost always traces back to the start "Are you good?" vs "How do you feel?" and why that one change transformed how Dawn led teams Why communication is everyone's job, not just the project manager's Assessing people on ownership rather than leadership, and why that is fairer Trust, vulnerability and healthy conflict, drawing on The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Whether you are being parachuted into a live project or just trying to explain what you actually do to your family, this one is full of practical, human ways to lead people better. Dawn's books: Meet the Players in Project Land: Decide the Right Project Roles and Get People on Board Project Land Goes to the Movies: 22 Blockbuster Strategies for Project Success Connect with Dawn: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dawnmahan Instagram: instagram.com/dawnjmahan Project Guru Academy: linkedin.com/showcase/projectguruacademy PMOtraining on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/pmotraining PMOtraining on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCLYJDA7-15rotZyEDEv8gyg PMOtraining on Facebook: facebook.com/PMOtiger This podcast is free and always will be. If you got value from it, pay it forward and share it with someone in your team. Stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it.

Listen Now

Enjoyed this episode?

Subscribe to never miss a conversation with project experts