Risk Management
Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks effectively throughout the lifecycle.
Recommended Episodes
59 episodes covering risk management
S8E197: Engaging the Next Generation of Risk Managers with Seyi Daniyan
January 13, 2025 • 01:17:00
This episode proudly sponsored by Deltek. n this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Dale and Martin welcome Seyi Daniyan, a project risk manager, who shares her career journey from chemical engineering to risk management. The conversation explores the importance of attracting young talent to the field, the fundamental concepts of risk management, and the skills necessary for success in this profession. Seyi emphasises the need for curiosity, effective communication, and the ability to influence others. The discussion also touches on the future of risk management roles and the evolving nature of the profession in response to technological advancements. In this engaging conversation, Dale and Seyi explore the evolving landscape of risk management, emphasising the need for decision analysts to evaluate project decisions effectively. They discuss the concept of reference class forecasting, the challenges of navigating financial discussions in risk workshops, and the lessons learned from the pandemic that reshaped risk management practices. The integration of AI in risk management is highlighted as a transformative tool, while the importance of engaging younger professionals and gamifying risk management processes is also addressed. Seyi shares insights on making risk management relatable and fun, ultimately encouraging open dialogue and mentorship in the field. Takeaways Shaye Danian transitioned from chemical engineering to project risk management. There is a significant lack of young professionals in project risk management. Risk management involves managing uncertain events, both positive and negative. Effective risk management can lead to projects being completed on time and within budget. Curiosity is a key trait for successful risk managers. Communication and influencing skills are essential in risk management. Graduate schemes should provide a solid foundation in project management. Risk management roles may evolve with advancements in technology. Understanding the different facets of project management is crucial for risk managers. Everyone engages in risk management in their daily lives. The need for decision analysts to evaluate project decisions. Reference class forecasting can enhance decision-making. Risk workshops should involve the right stakeholders. The pandemic highlighted gaps in traditional risk management. AI can revolutionize risk management practices. Engaging younger professionals is crucial for the future of the field. Gamification can make risk management more relatable. Food and informal settings can ease risk discussions. Understanding the difference between risks and issues is vital. Mentorship is important for newcomers in risk management.
S1E14: Risk Management on Projects with Risk Expert Paul Mancktelow
April 24, 2020 • 01:10:15
Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling threats to an organisation's capital and earnings. These threats, or risks, could stem from a wide variety of sources, including financial uncertainty, legal liabilities, strategic...
S7E172: Gamification of Risk Management with Charlotte Candy
November 30, 2023 • 01:09:37
In this episode the lads talk to Charlotte Candy about gamification of Risk Management. Charlotte Candy leads a team of 20 risk managers within the UK at AECOM. She is a certified IRM Fellow with a construction and legal background. She has 17 years’ experience within the industry. Charlotte has led teams across Nuclear, Water, Rail and Infrastructure domains for both public and private sector clients. She has a passion for increasing knowledge and understanding of risk management by creating lasting legacies for her clients. Charlotte enjoys applying traditional risk theory in creative environments. Proudly supported by InEight.com
S7E171: Enhancing risk maturity in your operating environment with Colin McCorery & Jessie Schilling
November 5, 2023 • 01:18:31
In this episode Dale and Val talk about the application and importance of risk in projects and more importantly the maturity, training and development of best risk practices and cultures. Colin is a Risk Management professional with 25 years experience across many industry sectors and countries. He is the current and founding Chair of the Institute of Risk Management Regional Group Australia and the Trainer for the institute of Risk Management training course in Australia. Outside of the work environment Colin like to keep fit by boxing and cardio fitness. Family man, married with 3 children. Jessie Schilling combines creative and Infrastructure intelligence, Jessie is a management consultant within HKA's Advisory team. At the core of her work are processes and people, where she seeks to implement agile strategies and solutions within complex project environments. Jessie is positioned in the Integrated Project Services stream with specialisation in risk management, change control and portfolio alignment and performance with a focus on process improvement. For over five years she has operated in the project controls environment on rail infrastructure projects and is a champion for leveraging cross-industry learnings. Links: Jessie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-schilling/ Colin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-mccrorey/ IRM Australian Regional group: https://www.theirm.org/join-our-community/regional-groups/australia/ Proudly Supported by InEight.com thank you guys, your support means everything.
S5E112: Project forecasting is a "wicked problem" with Dr Dan Patterson
March 28, 2022 • 00:59:59
In this episode, Dale and Val bring back Dr Dan Patterson to talk about what he has been brewing since their last podcast. Wicked’ problems are problems that cannot be definitely solved – they can only be bettered. Tame problems can be definitively solved e.g. fixing a leaky pipe. For 70 years, we have been trying to adopt tools to definitively ‘solve’ projects and as such we all too often run into what we think is ‘project failure’. The problem with a project is that there is no definitive ‘this is solved’ – there are too many competing objectives (eg cost vs schedule vs cope) and also too many stakeholders with differing objectives. Instead of striving for a finite outcome, in the context of the fact projects are under a barrage of constant change and influences, perhaps we should treat planning and execution as being bettered (tamed) and not solved? I see this as the science of meta-planning ie better plan the planning process rather than jumping into planning execution itself. Tame problems can be solved. Wicked problems can only be tamed and that is what meta-planning is all about. Dr. Dan Patterson is a Schedule and Cost Risk Analysis thought leader. He was the CEO and founder of BASIS, a project management company specializing in schedule and risk analytics, which was acquired in 2018 by InEight, Inc. Prior to BASIS, Dan led the highly successful organization Acumen, a project analytics company, and is the inventor of Acumen Fuse, Risk and 360, a project analytics software suite that is used for project planning quality improvement, performance insight, and forensics analysis. Dr. Patterson conducts risk workshops for billion-dollar projects and has subsequently served as an expert witness on many. During the execution of these engagements he leads qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, prepares and presents executive summaries, and leads in-person executive briefings to company executives. Dr. Patterson acts as the primary lead on various company and project internal risk optimization procedures. He specializes in risk workshops, project audits, and strategic project analysis on various capital expenditure projects. With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Patterson is recognized as a global thought leader and visionary within the project management industry. Specifically, he is known for his risk and schedule analytics expertise and is frequently utilized on high-profile capital expenditure projects for workshop facilitation, expert witness testimony, advanced analytics, and board-level briefings. Dr. Patterson has an impressive track record with extensive commercial and technical project management experience on projects that in the aggregate are valued at over $200 billion. Today, Patterson continues to push the project management boundaries forward with InEight BASIS, the first AI planning tool for CAPEX projects. Prior to BASIS, Patterson was the founder and CEO of Acumen, and inventor of Acumen Fuse, Risk and 360, a widely-used project metrics analysis and risk management software suite. Acumen was acquired by Deltek in 2013 with the Acumen toolset now used on most major CAPEX projects worldwide. Prior to Acumen, Patterson founded Pertmaster NA. He brought project risk analysis to the masses with the introduction of an integrated Monte Carlo analysis and risk register solution. This led to the successful acquisition of Pertmaster by Primavera (now Oracle) in 2006. Proudly sponsored by: Prosci.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com JustDo.com #ProjectManagement #ProjectDelivery #ProjectControls
S6E126: Project Hack15: An Approach to effective Risk Management with Russell Willis & Johnny Hepworth
July 10, 2022 • 01:13:04
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Russell Willis and Johnny Hepworth to discuss their project from Project Hack 15 – How good is my team at Risk Management?Russell is an infinite Learner with 20+ years of experience in Project Controls, PMO, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence. He now specialises in the catalisation of all these fields into a holistically cohesive and coherent source for dynamic data driven insight and business optimisation.Johnny’s academic background is material chemistry for renewable energy and environment. He works for Brook Green Supply which operates in the L&C space and excited for the prospects of industry 4.0.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: The Johnny & the Beards project team were formed at Project Hack 15 – see links below for more information Project Hack ensured that project challenge teams had a diverse range of backgrounds in order to make it effective People become data aware, then informed, then gradually literate Data is powerful, though people should be vigilant on cookies that track internet movements If you’re not sure where to start with data just give it a try! Here are links to some of the topics we discussed: Project Hack 15 - https://www.projectdataanalytics.co.uk/projecthack/ Project Hack 15 – Johnny & The Beards Team Presentation - https://youtu.be/RppbJJsOSgU Project Data Analytics Apprenticeship - https://projectingsuccess.co.uk/project-data-analytics-apprenticeship/ Brier Score - measures the accuracy of probabilistic predictions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brier_score Tune in next time when we’re re-joined by Adrian Pyne to discuss Creating value from adapting agility to project management.For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-chatter (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S3E70: Infrastructure Cost Overruns and How to Avoid Them with John Hollmann
May 23, 2021 • 01:20:12
In this episode Dale and Val talk about cost overruns and risk. Estimating projects can be challenging, but the maturity of contingency, risk and estimate management is considered decades ahead in other sectors, so why not infrastructure? We talk to risk and estimating expert John Hollmann on his views about what makes Infrastructure projects more challenging, as well as the opportunity of technology to help alleviate cost challenges on infrastructure projects. A little about John: He helps owner companies improve their cost engineering competencies and capabilities. This includes projects involving engineering and construction in most sectors (e.g., process, power, mining, infrastructure, transportation, etc.). John is passionate about the field of Cost Engineering and has been a leader in developing technical standards. John has been on the Boards of AACE and ICEC, as well as lead author and editor of AACE's "Total Cost Management Framework" text, authored "Project Risk Quantification" text, authored many AACE Recommended Practices plus many papers and led the development of AACE's Decision and Risk Management Professional (DRMP) certification. Most recently, working with Koff & Guerrero Consultants, launched the ValidRisk cloud-based risk quantification software. You can check out more by visiting www.validest.com and validrisk.com This podcast is brought to you by: JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com - save $75 on any course with this link - www.planacademy.com/chatter/ #projectmanagement #projectcontrols #projectplanning #projectriskmanagement #projectledaership
S3E55: How Technology is driving Next-Gen Project Risk Management with Michael Lepage & Nate St. John
February 7, 2021 • 01:24:10
In this episode, Dale & Val talk to Michael Lepage & Nate St. John about "How Technology is driving Next-Gen Project Risk Management". Are we ready for advanced technology? Do we have the capabilities, appetite and behaviours to take full advantage of tech? Find this out and more as we explore what is possible in this episode...
S8E181: Antifragile Projects with Georgia Stillwell
March 23, 2024 • 01:01:35
In this episode, Val and Dale are joined by guest Georgia Stillwell to discuss anti-fragile projects and risk management in project management. Georgia shares her journey into project management, starting from her fascination with master planning in cities to her experience in risk management and construction technology. She explains the concept of anti-fragile projects, which are projects that thrive in uncertain and risky environments. The conversation delves into the challenges with traditional project planning methods and the need for more flexible and adaptable approaches. Georgia also discusses the role of technology in risk management and the importance of simplifying complex concepts for effective communication. In this conversation, Georgia Stillwell discusses the concept of anti-fragility in project management and how it can be achieved through the use of technology and human expertise. She emphasizes the importance of replicating the abilities of experienced planners and using AI to optimize project schedules. However, she also highlights the need for human validation and decision-making in complex construction projects. The conversation explores the role of contracts in project behavior and the challenges of harmonizing contracts with anti-fragility principles. The importance of leadership in creating a culture of anti-fragility and addressing human biases is also discussed.Takeaways Anti-fragile projects are projects that thrive in uncertain and risky environments, adapting and improving as challenges arise. Traditional project planning methods, such as critical path method, can be rigid and fail to account for the dynamic nature of projects. Technology, such as AI and software tools, can help optimize project planning and recovery by exploring different options and scenarios. Educating clients and stakeholders about different project planning methodologies is crucial for driving change and improving project outcomes. Simplifying risk management concepts and using analogies can help communicate complex ideas effectively. Anti-fragility in project management can be achieved through the use of technology and human expertise. AI can replicate the abilities of experienced planners and optimize project schedules, but human validation and decision-making are still necessary. Contracts play a significant role in project behavior and can sometimes conflict with anti-fragility principles. Leadership is crucial in creating a culture of anti-fragility and addressing human biases in decision-making. Proudly Sponsored by Deltek
S9E205: Replicability of the Montreal REM Model with Riccardo Cosentino
September 8, 2025 • 00:42:24
In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, hosts Val and Dale engage with Riccardo Cosentino to explore the unique aspects of the REM project in Canada, a public-private partnership (PPP) model that has garnered attention for its innovative funding and governance structure. Riccardo shares insights into the project's background, the role of the Quebec pension fund as a project sponsor, and the implications of risk management and return calculations. The conversation delves into the importance of early stakeholder involvement, the challenges of public opinion, and the potential for replicating this model in other sectors. Throughout the discussion, the significance of governance, long-term perspectives, and the necessary skill sets for project professionals are emphasized, providing valuable takeaways for listeners interested in infrastructure projects and PPPs.TakeawaysThe REM project is a unique public-private partnership model.Risk management is crucial in financing infrastructure projects.The obligation to repay investments can shift from taxpayers to private entities.Calculating returns involves considering ridership and land value capture.Contingency planning is integrated into the rate of return.Early involvement of stakeholders leads to better project outcomes.Governance structures can significantly impact project success.Long-term perspectives are essential for managing infrastructure investments.Curiosity and risk-taking are important traits for project professionals.The REM model could be applied to other sectors beyond transportation.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Background03:24 Understanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)06:11 The REM Project Overview08:56 Funding and Risk Management in the REM Project11:55 Calculating Returns and Land Value Capture14:33 Governance and Project Delivery17:21 Long-Term Perspectives and Lifecycle Management22:47 Changing Dynamics in Project Management24:35 Governance and Change Management in Projects26:38 Replicating Successful Project Models29:08 Applying the Model Beyond Rail Projects31:07 Reporting Mechanisms and Governance Structures33:55 Skill Sets for Successful Project Delivery35:39 Advice for Aspiring Project Professionals37:27 Resilience in Today's Project Challenges39:40 Future of the CDPQ Model and Its Replicability
S6E132: Best Value Performance Management and Palms Up Approaches with Richard Plumery
September 5, 2022 • 01:06:35
In this episode, Val ventures in Han Solo fashion discussing the best value performance metrics approaches with Rich Plumery. Rich provides a non-linear and diverse background with which he credits his understanding of what works on projects. Rich discusses his findings and summation of the Project Controls 10 commandments Thou shall: 1) Eliminate systemic risks within the organization 2) Provide an unbiased objective view (verify ) 3) Focus more on critical risks and report on them more frequently 4) Keep risk management active and aware throughout the execution 5) Be where the work is more than where your desk is 6) Manage and report change rigorously and rapidly 7) More about analytical analysis than information production 8) Analyze trends and use leading indicators 9) Look forward with good planning and backward by using solid historical knowledge 10) Provide the best value by doing the other Nine Commandments (build credibility in our craft) You can also see further work here- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/project-controls-ten-commandments-rich-plumery-pmp-evp/ Rich Plumery is an international speaker, published author and subject matter expert on project delivery and performance management. Rich is a Technical Board Director for the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) International, which sets the guidelines for many of our industry practices. Rich has unique experiences outside the industry as he started and sold several businesses including a tactical supply business and sports performance coaching business teaching speed, power, agility and balance. This business coached hundreds of professional athletes and prepared over 200 college athletes for the NFL Combine. He also runs a foundation to support developmentally challenged adults in the local community. He has learned to apply many of the learnings from these unique experiences to capital project industry management and leadership. Rich has been with AECOM legacy companies since the late 80’s and his expertise covers every aspect of project delivery including risk management, planning, scheduling, cost control, change management, budgeting, engineering, design, construction, construction management, operations, contracts, finance, estimating, and performance management. This has led Rich to be innovative in creating approaches to overcome some of the industry's toughest challenges such as the conundrum of Earned Value false reads and manipulation vulnerabilities. Rich's Best Value Performance Management system was revealed in his seminal Best Value paper in 2013 published by AACE International. His current Palms Up approach to project and operational leadership is another game changer for project-based industries and beyond. Rich is currently the Senior Vice President of AECOM’s Project Delivery & Controls group for all the Americas regions. In his current role he is responsible for supporting project delivery (Project Management, Project Controls, Procurement, Quality, and Project Risk Management) for over 30,00 projects in the Americas and teaching and certifying over 7,000 Project Managers globally. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ InEight - https://ineight.com/
S5E106: Risk in endurance events & the relevance to construction with Richard Newey
February 13, 2022 • 01:12:24
In this episode, Dale and Val speak to ultra-athlete and risk expert Richard Newey about the parallels of these mentally grueling and extreme endurance events, to projects. Richard takes us through how he copes with endurance talking about mind games, keeping it simple and marginal gains. Preparing for a race or event like this takes a lot of planning and Richard likens this to how we manage projects. Projects need risk as an important part of their ability to complete on time, cost, and quality. Richard has over 30 years of construction experience starting his career as a setting out engineer and now Head of Risk &Controls for AECOM. He has worked on 2 Olympic Games and many other blue-chip projects. In sport, he is one of a handful of UK people to have completed the Race across America riding 3000 miles in 10 days on 18 hours sleep. Additionally, he has been to 8000m on Everest, raced the Ironman World Championships 3 times and last summer raced the Tour de Geants a 330km ultramarathon off only 7 hours sleep in 5 days. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo.com | PlanAcademy.com | InEight.com | Prosci.com FREE resource kit: www.prosci.com/projectchatter $75 off training: www.planacademy.com/chatter Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S3E52: 6 Maturity Levels of Risk Analysis you need to know with Dr David Hulett
January 16, 2021 • 01:15:29
In this episode, Dale & Val talk to Dr. David Hulett about the Journey Map to a more mature Schedule Risk Analysis Process. This episode is in collaboration with the Project Controls Expo where Dr. Hulett will be speaking at the UK event. Dr David Hulett takes us through the 6 levels of maturity and provides some fascinating insights from his experiences over the decades. If you're slightly interested in Project Risk Management then this is definitely for you!
S4E84: The Future of Project Management Technology with Dr Dan Patterson
August 29, 2021 • 01:27:23
In this episode, Dale and Val get into project management technology with a man who needs no introduction to the world of project systems, Dr Dan Patterson. Critical Path Methodology (CPM) - getting really long in the tooth - there has to be a better way! Perhaps a better approach is to plan in a hierarchical manner - recursively break down into chunks instead of such a highly linear approach. Dan touches on his vertical scope based approach. We talked about knowledge-based planning and utilising non-linear methods or time-chainage type arrangements but not reliant on CPM. We talk about the arrival of AI and what that could mean for jobs, workload and the way in which we plan projects. Dan goes into his experiences in risk workshops and various companies to help paint a picture of the future of project management. Dan talks with the lads about many topics including; Risk Analysis Critical Path Methodology and alternatives AI and its impact on Projects Linear Project Management Scope Management and New Software Ideas Future of Project Management More about Dan - Globally recognized project analytics thought leader and software entrepreneur. With 20 years of experience & three highly successful Project Portfolio Management software companies under his belt, Dan has a unique combination of solution innovation combined with extensive project management experience including advanced scheduling, risk management, project analytics & artificial intelligence. This experience has been used to lead multiple successful software company start-ups with Dan being a true visionary & renowned marketeer. In 2016, Dan founded BASIS, a groundbreaking AI planning solution designed to help projects more accurately forecast timelines and budgets. BASIS was acquired by InEight Inc. in 2018. Prior, Dan founded Acumen - a highly acclaimed project analytics solution. Acumen was acquired by Deltek in 2013. Today, Dan's product inventions (BASIS, Acumen Fuse, 360 and Acumen Risk) are used by thousands of Fortune 500 project controls specialists around the world. Dan drives a reputation for making complex business challenges simple and this is reflected in his passion for software usability and innovation. In 2012, Dan was awarded Innovator of Year for the invention of the widely accepted Fuse Schedule Index™. Publications ----------------- Numerous white papers and published articles on project analytics, risk management & scheduling innovation. Keynote public speaker. Qualifications -------------------- - PhD Doctorate in Project Management, Nottingham University, UK - PMP certified This episode is proudly brought to you by JustDo.com, PlanAcademy.com & InEight.com For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you’d like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there’s something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! Thanks for listening
S4E87: Why Independent Project Assurance is Important with Lorraine Humphrey
September 19, 2021 • 01:13:32
In this week’s pod we welcomed Lorraine Humphrey to talk about Project Assurance and Risk Management. Lorraine is the interim Director of Risk and Assurance at Transport for London (TFL), a post she has held since April 2021. Lorraine moved to Project Assurance in 2018 after 12 years of project delivery as a Senior Project Manager. Lorraine recently completed her MBA and has also been shortlisted for Inspirational Women of the Year in the Women in Rail awards for her mentoring work and support of autism initiatives at TfL. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Assurance is ultimately about keeping honest Assurance teams will point out where things are not right and provide recommendations to senior management based on evidence PMO should be a critical friend to Project Teams Assurance team often sits under General Counsel / Company Secretary in an organisation structure. This promotes the independence of the team It is important to understand the political environment of the area you are working and not get dragged into it There is no ideal experience required to be successful in Project Assurance. The majority will have experience in project delivery, however, leadership is the most important skillset Transport for London reduced the number of assurance reviews in order to allow more time to analyse the findings and provide continuous improvements 10% contingency at the start of a project is often a red flag from an assurance perspective Avoid watermelon reporting! Where Level 1 milestones are reporting as being on time without supporting Level 2 / 3 milestones Transparency and being evidence based is the key to effective project assurance. Leaders may not agree with the findings but it should be as open as possible The best way to avoid biases and groupthink is via evidence Seeing Project Teams who actively avoid scrutiny on Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis is often a symptom that the underlying assumptions may not be strong EFC/EAC should be a dynamic figure. Static numbers may be due to hiding issues. Use assurance, don’t fight it -----------------------------------------
S4E83: Project management under conditions of inherent uncertainty with Dave Snowden
August 22, 2021 • 01:18:35
In this episode, the lads talk to Dave Snowden about his experience and depth of understanding in the fields of knowledge management and complexity theory. Dave is a riveting guest with stories, studies and methods that appeal to the sensible project manager. Moreover, Dave helped connect deeper studies with project management and delivery. This approach of 'sensemaking' just makes sense. David John Snowden (born 1954) is a Welsh management consultant and researcher in the field of knowledge management and the application of complexity science. Known for the development of the Cynefin framework,[1] Snowden is the founder and chief scientific officer of Cognitive Edge, a Singapore-based management consulting firm specialising in complexity and sensemaking.[2] Dave is the Director of the Cynefin Centre, Chief Scientific Officer Cognitive Edge. Creator of the Cynefin Framework. Lead author EU Field Guide to managing in Complexity (and crisis). His focus is on naturalising sense-making as an emerging trans-disciplinary field of study. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: The world of Project Management is likely to be more uncertain than it is at present We always know more than we can tell and we can tell more than we can write down Most lessons learnt focus on failure rather than success Storytelling is a profession, many people can recount anecdotes, and this is better to document Narrative is a quantitative approach rather than qualitative, it is simply numbered- backed up by explanatory stories It is interesting to compare how decisions are actually made versus how the business believes they are made. This can be done as a process chartOld men are philosophers, old wives tell tales!Many large transportation infrastructure projects go wrong because once a certain level of complexity is reached, you’re beyond the ability to predict therefore design changes need to occurMany organisations employ consultants to manage transformation projects who will use pre-defined solutions rather than adapting to the context Covid has shown there is a large amount of resilience on major projects Dave is currently working on the application of natural sciences to social systems through the development of a range of methods and the SenseMaker® software suite. He started work in an NGO post-University and then moved onto HR & Training in the late 70s where he started work with computers. That together with a diploma from The Certified Accountants got a job as Development Accountant in the same firm where he headed up the Treasury function and was responsible for computerisation. An MBA in financial management saw Dave move into consultancy and software designing decision support systems in what became D
S4E77: The 4 Moves in the VUCA World of Projects with Debbie Seunarayan
July 11, 2021 • 01:30:47
On this week’s show, we welcomed Debbie Seunarayan to discuss the four moves in the VUCA world of projects. Debbie works with organisations and leadership teams across the world to help them navigate turbulent, volatile and sometimes chaotic environments. She has a particular interest in using creativity, scenario planning, wicked thinking and positive deviance to accelerate an organisation’s journey from strategy to reality, and to enhance its collective strategic thinking capability. Debbie is the host of the What If Tribe and Shapeshifter Tribe podcasts so be sure to give them a listen. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. It dates back to the 1980s and was coined by the US Army War College to describe the state of the world at the end of the Cold War · VUCA is used to describe difficult and chaotic working environments. The main problem is that VUCA is talked about but not acted upon. The last 18 months is a good example of businesses having to work in an uncertain context. The more uncertainty there is can lead people to over managing situations that may not be controllable. Sometimes accepting uncertainty is the best option. The world is changing! Projects will be different in the next 3-5 years – this should be accepted as fact. Four Moves businesses can make in the VUCA world: o Strategy – using scenario planning and what-if scenarios. Create a range of possible paths or a supple strategy! o Culture – Create a compelling culture. Successful organisations have a culture that transcends all the sub-cultures o Innovation – Typically find a “wicked problem”. Find a far-ranging problem and use what-if planning to reach a “cause” that can drive the culture o Magical movement – Purpose based, cause-driven. Changing strategy during the project execution phase is costly. It is worth stopping to properly assess what is going on around the project in order to review the strategy. As a leader, if the results from feedback loops tell you something different to what is expected then it is time to stop and review. Businesses need to be as inclusive as possible when working in an uncertain environment in order to engender staff to think like leaders. Rather than creating a solution, aim to fall in love with the problem. This can make shifts in the problem rather than solutions being outdated within weeks. Projects can tend to make problems transactional when the real issue stems from poor culture. People with ADHD can often be the best shapeshifters in an organisation! The best businesses have an identity and constantly seek to improve. Trust employees to be autonomous and manage risks. Aim to bring in cross-sector experts when working through problems to achieve a true diversity of thought. If there is a movement that goes in its own direction, it can be successful, however, it is likely to fail if the strategic and cultural implications are not considered. Businesses need to help people see the risks of going in the wrong strategic direction or not taking advantage of the latest market disrupters e.g. Blockbusters and Netflix Here are links to some of the topics that were discussed: Shapeshifter is available on Amazon SHAPESHIFTER: How to master the art of working with the future: Amazon. Proudly Sponsored by: PlanAcademy.com JustDo.com InEight.com
S8E191: Detox Your Culture with Colin D Ellis
December 14, 2024 • 01:06:16
In this episode of the Project Chatter Podcast, Dale, Martin and Colin D Ellis discuss the evolving landscape of workplace culture, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19. They explore the necessity of detoxifying toxic cultures, the importance of leadership in fostering a positive environment, and the role of employees in shaping culture. Colin shares insights from his latest book, emphasizing the need for organizations to actively manage their culture and mitigate risks associated with toxicity. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on workplace dynamics and the significance of effective feedback and personality awareness in team settings. Takeaways 🧬 Culture is a choice that organizations must actively make. 🧬 Every workplace has the potential for a vibrant culture. 🧬 Toxic culture can manifest in various forms, from poor communication to severe harassment. 🧬 Leadership plays a crucial role in mitigating toxic culture risks. 🧬 New employees should be aware of cultural dynamics and how to address them. 🧬 Purpose and vision should be collaboratively defined within organizations. 🧬 Effective feedback is essential for maintaining a healthy culture. 🧬 Personality dynamics can significantly impact team performance and culture. 🧬 Measuring culture requires a balance of engagement and emotional intelligence. 🧬 AI presents both opportunities and threats to workplace culture. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Workplace Culture 02:52 The Importance of Detoxifying Workplace Culture 05:57 Understanding Toxic Culture and Its Symptoms 09:13 Mitigating Toxic Culture Risks 11:56 The Role of Leadership in Culture 14:52 Creating and Maintaining a Positive Culture 18:14 The Impact of Purpose and Vision on Culture 20:58 Balancing Truth and Order in Project Management 24:11 Feedback and Communication in Culture 26:58 Personality Types and Team Dynamics 29:50 The Evolution of Colin's Books on Culture 33:12 The Role of HR in Culture Management 36:01 Measuring Culture Effectively 39:17 AI's Role in Workplace Culture 42:08 Audience Questions and Insights 45:16 Final Thoughts on Culture Responsibility #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S5E123: The Philosophy of Project Management: 2nd Innings with Paul Goodge & Warren Beardall
June 13, 2022 • 01:30:45
In this week’s pod, we were re-joined by Paul Goodge and Warren for the second innings of the philosophy of Project Management. Paul is internationally regarded as a Programme Management and Change Management specialist. He is noted for his ability to swiftly and accurately diagnose issues and evolve solutions both from a technical and a behavioural point of view.Over his career he held a variety of roles both in line leadership and a number of functional responsibilities, providing him with insights across the whole of the enterprise. He has chaired or sat on a wide variety of internal and external committees and steering groups. An ex-Board member of the Association of Project Management he has continued to work very closely with the organisation and was in the first cohort to achieve Chartered Project Professional status. He is an avid long-distance walker, and worldwide traveller, and greatly enjoys music, reading, sport, fine food and wine in his spare time. He has recently commenced studying for a PhD. He lives in Wiltshire. Warren has 25 years of experience within the construction-related insurance industry. Three years ago Warren made a decision to reset his career. He joined a consulting practice offering specialist risk, internal control and assurance advice to large-scale construction and professional service providers. He also opted to return to university and read a mid-career MSc in Project Management, Finance, and Risk. Graduating with distinction in late 2020, and invigorated to bring a fresh challenge to the long-standing project paradox that plagues our industry. The interim conclusion of this ongoing research is that Partnerships were never truly there. And that this is deemed no different in our wider construction endeavour. The suggested answer to the paradox is that projects are either set up to collaborate, or they are set up to fail. That is what he is here to discuss...The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:· Time-bound intended change (TIC) can be used as a definition of a project in order to challenge the existing definitions that usually encompass time/cost/quality· Association for Project Management (APM) / Project Management Institute (PMI) have a role to play in leading the discussion around challenging the existing thinking around projects· Organisations such as the Infrastructure and Projects Authority should be leading and challenging lessons learnt on major projects. Are the right people in the room?· How do we understand what knowledge is?· There is clear evidence that if there is enough leadership interest in personal agendas, it creates a long-term issue for the people who have to work under the leader· Clarity of vision and priority is key for a leader to be successful over a period of time· Information exchange is now immediate due to technology. This makes it more difficult to· Tragedy of the Commons (link below) is the perfect example of whether we will be successful from a sustainable standpoint in the 2020sHere are links to some of the topics we discussed:· Jo Lucas - Human-machine interoperability: What can we learn from the invention of the washing machine? - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/human-machine-interoperability-what-can-we-learn-from-jo-lucas/· Karl Jaspers – The Origin and Goal of History https://www.amazon.co.uk/Origin-Goal-History-Routledge-Revivals/dp/0415578809· Projects Within Projects Blog
S5E120: Silent Discussions: Professional Collaboration with Al Simmonite & Alexander Shakespeare
May 23, 2022 • 01:14:43
In this episode, Dale and Val talk to Al Simmonite and Alexander Shakespeare from Advance on what is Professional Collaboration. This touches on a subject close to all of us. When it comes to projects what is needed from leadership? how do we establish the right cultures and values? According to our guests, Professional Collaboration is the ability, license, and courage for teams to openly discuss and resolve contentious subjects not only in a collaborative way but also as a mechanism to reinforce the collaboration between them. Al Simmonite is a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven track record in delivering complex programmes and change initiatives of significant value in a multi-functional and dynamic environment in both the public sector and in a FTSE 100 global company. Able to simplify complex issues and identify clear value drivers. A skilled and highly confident presenter, communicator and facilitator, experienced in managing diverse (culturally and geographically) stakeholders and motivating teams to deliver the best value. Significant experience in safety-critical and quality management environments. A pragmatic and decisive individual who thrives on challenge and change and demonstrates innovation and vision. Always on the lookout for new ideas and fresh thinking. • Leadership at up to Board level with a focus on accountability and empowerment • Leadership of large teams, small teams, virtual teams, cross-functional teams • Portfolio, Programme and Project management (qualified MSP, APM(Q), Prince 2) • Change and transformation management • End-2-End collaborative working (Supply chain through to Customer) • Risk and opportunity management as an integral part of business operations • Developing pragmatic project control, compliance and governance environments • Stakeholder development and management. • Communication and engagement strategies • Performance and process improvement • Customer and Supplier Relationship Management Alexander Shakespeare is a leader, manager and business consultant with a proven record of achievement and high performance in Leadership Development, Transformation and Change Management. MBA, Project Manager and Business Coach qualified with Board level exposure to developing relationships and managing stakeholders, risk and strategic analysis to plan, implement and succeed in complex multi million-pound projects and demanding environments. Driven, committed and innovative. An empathetic leadership style to build successful relationships, coach and mentor teams; creating fun, vibrancy and a positive, business winning culture. Key Skills: • Strategy development: delivery of innovative and dynamic solutions. • Transformation and Change: assessing the impact of change, developing solutions and creating plans tailored to needs of the programme or project. • Leadership Development: improving and developing talent agendas to support operational performance. • Programme & Project Management: project planning, scheduling and implementation. • Business & Personal Coach: Developing team and individual performance, aligning business strategy and success with people Proudly Sponsored by: JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com (discounted training) Prosci.com (free resources)
S3E69: A Personal Story from PERTMaster's History with Andrew Wicklund
May 18, 2021 • 01:08:00
In this episode Dale and Val talk about the software PERTmaster, its origins, features and its progression with Andrew Wicklund. Andrew shares his personal account of his journey with PERTmaster, including challenges he was facing with health issues, challenges a lot of people on projects face, due to the stresses and pressures of our line of work. Andrew Wicklund is the owner of PRC Software with offices in the USA, India, and Canada. Andrew has a Masters of Science in Technical Project Management from the University of Houston, Texas, USA. He created the PRC Cloud for project and risk management. Andrew spent most of his career consulting, conducting risk workshops, project controls, and training for Fortune 500 clients in construction, oil & gas, aerospace, defense, IT, pharmaceutical , etc. He is active with charities for the homeless population in the USA, building infrastructure in West Africa, and Children's Bone Cancer research. This podcast is brought to you by: JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com - save $75 on any course with this link - www.planacademy.com/chatter/ InEight.com - Construction Software
S6E140: SPECIAL EDITION - EVA27 - Project Performance in Turbulent Times curated by Steve Wake
October 27, 2022 • 01:24:54
In this episode, Dale is joined by Marco Frisenda and Jo Lucas as guest hosts to speak with Steve Wake and some of the presenters from EVA27 about Project Performance in Turbulent Times! You'll hear from.. Steve Elliot, Experienced consultant and expert adviser in the field of project controls within complex infrastructure programmes and projects; Tony Welch, VP Bids And Programmes Thales; Mark Wild, former CEO Crossrail; Georgie Alderson-Slater, Director GeoVic Ltd; Ajay Patel, Head of Risk TfL; Charlotte Candy, Director of Risk AECOM; ...who provide a wide-ranging collection of thought-leadership in everything from leadership, lessons learned, gamification of risk, training project controls professionals, the future of projects and much much more! EVA is an intimate conference which takes place at the Armourers Hall in London. Nestled in the heart of London the Armourers' Hall is the home of The Armourers & Brasiers' Company. The Company was founded in 1322 as the guild overseeing the production of armour. It now exists primarily for charitable purposes. Proudly sponsored by: InEight.com JustDo.com
S4E80: The Positive Project Manager, Lean & Six Sigma with Kasper Dixon
August 1, 2021 • 01:30:39
This episode is proudly brought to you by PlanAcademy.com, JustDo.com, and InEight.com. In this week’s pod, we were supposed to speak to Dr. Dan Patterson but unfortunately, he is unwell. In his place, we welcomed Kasper Dixon to talk about positive Project Management, Lean and Six Sigma Kasper is a Programme Delivery Manager working for the Major Projects Directorate within Transport for London on the £5.6 billion Four Lines Modernisation Project. He is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt trainer and is passionate about leading through example with positivity and encouragement. The main topics discussed: · There are many high performing projects that do not get the same level of management focus or recognition as failing projects · Positivity is something to focus on in personal lives not just in the workplace · Empathy is critical for leaders. Always try to understand the frustrations of stakeholders who are not onside immediately · Turn the saboteurs into advocates by being authentic and working tirelessly to reach the desired goals · Leadership perception has fundamentally changed over the last 30-40 years. Less stick, more carrot! · People simply do not respond to the stick. They want encouragement to achieve their goals · Leaders need to stop, look back and celebrate success when critical milestones are achieved · Tips for difficult conversations: Having the conversation is often the answer. Never avoid issues Identify why there is an issue Don’t be overly optimistic, talk about the issues and reflect on it · Six Sigma provides a structure for people to see a task from start to finish. It provides a structure for people · Unfortunately, there are no actual belts for achieving Six Sigma! · Six Sigma is applicable to every project and every function. · Construction industry is slow to embrace this, does not gain the right level of focus · Six Sigma training is available online. It is not essential to undertake in-person training. It does help to talk and work through the concepts with other collaborators · It will make you a more marketable employee · VANVA – Value Add / Non-Value Add · Always ask the 5 Why’s when reviewing a process. (it really is five why’s!) · Post-it notes are the best process mapping tool! · Always challenge words that begin with “re” – they are more likely to be processes that are wasteful Some of the topics that were discussed: 5 Laws of Lean Six Sigma - https://www.shmula.com/understanding-the-5-laws-of-lean-six-sigma/26626/ Minitab – Statistical process tool - https://www.minitab.com/en-us/ Miro – Online whiteboard - https://miro.com/ ----------------------------------------- Join us next week where we’re joined by Tim Creasey for a deep dive into Change Management & Project Management. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S9E201: The Healing Power of Laughter with Barry Hilton
July 11, 2025 • 00:52:14
In this episode, Barry Hilton, a renowned South African comedian, shares his journey through comedy and mental health. He discusses the importance of vulnerability, humor, and resilience in addressing mental health issues. Barry emphasizes the need for open conversations about mental health, recognizing signs of distress, and the cultural differences in how mental health is perceived. He also highlights the importance of teaching resilience to the younger generation and the role of community and connection in overcoming struggles.TakeawaysBarry Hilton is a celebrated comedian with a career spanning over four decades.He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in discussing mental health.Humor serves as a powerful tool for resilience and coping with life's challenges.Recognizing signs of mental health issues is crucial for seeking help.Cultural perceptions of mental health can vary significantly.Connection and community play vital roles in mental health support.Teaching resilience to children is essential for their development.Barry's personal experiences highlight the struggles many face with mental health.Open conversations about mental health can help reduce stigma.It's important to own your struggles and seek professional help when needed.Chapters05:24 Barry's Journey to Comedy and Mental Health Awareness09:05 The Impact of Mental Health on Performers15:15 Using Humor to Address Serious Topics20:21 The Role of ADHD and Dyslexia in Creativity25:33 Owning Your Struggles and Vulnerability26:57 The Autobiography of Comedy28:18 Recognizing Mental Health Signs30:43 The Spiral of Loneliness32:58 Conversations About Mental Health34:22 The Importance of Directness36:57 Understanding Stress and Resilience39:11 Cultural Differences in Communication45:18 Teaching Resilience to the Next Generation49:01 The Power of Ownership in Mental HealthGet in touch with Barry:https://barryhilton.com/sandybarryhilton@gmail.com
S8E192: Unlocking the secrets to conferences with Greg Lawton, Olli Wade and Micah Piippo!
December 18, 2024 • 00:45:47
In this episode we join forces with the Beyond Deadlines podcast crew recoded live in Washington, DC. We discuss the significance of expos and conferences in the project management field. The boys emphasize the importance of networking, community building, and the shared challenges faced by professionals. The conversation highlights the need for younger generations to engage in these events, innovative workshop ideas for learning, and the value of hands-on experience with software. They also explore the current AI landscape, the importance of genuine conversations, and the role of feedback in continuous learning. In this conversation, we discuss the critical aspects of project management, emphasizing the importance of networking. They explore the common challenges faced in project delivery, particularly the issue of late projects, and the role of project controls in ensuring successful outcomes. The discussion also highlights the need for collaboration among project management tools and the significance of professional development through workshops and networking events. Check out Beyond Deadlines here: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondDeadlines Takeaways 👀 Expos provide valuable networking opportunities for professionals. 👀 Community building is essential for tackling shared challenges. 👀 Younger generations should be encouraged to participate in conferences. 👀 Workshops can enhance learning experiences significantly. 👀 Hands-on experience with software is crucial for understanding its application. 👀 Navigating the AI landscape requires awareness of numerous startups. 👀 Conversations at events can lead to valuable insights and connections. 👀 Learning from others' experiences can accelerate personal growth. 👀 Feedback is vital for refining ideas and approaches. 👀 Networking is a key component of professional development. Follow-up is essential for maintaining professional relationships. 👀 Building a network requires ongoing communication and value exchange. 👀 Memorable interactions often involve humor and genuine interest. 👀 Late project delivery is a widespread issue across industries. 👀 Resource loading schedules can complicate project management. 👀 Understanding the value of project controls is crucial for success. 👀 Project teams should be empowered to manage their schedules effectively. 👀 Collaboration among project management tools can enhance efficiency. 👀 Investing in professional development is vital for career growth. 👀 Networking events provide valuable opportunities for learning and connection. Chapters 02:03 Community Building and Shared Challenges 03:35 Learning Opportunities at Conferences 04:53 Encouraging Younger Generations in Project Management 05:52 Innovative Workshop Ideas for Learning 07:26 Hands-On Experience with Software 08:52 Navigating the AI Landscape 10:32 The Value of Conversations at Events 11:56 Learning from Others' Experiences 12:42 Feedback and Continuous Learning 15:22 The Role of Networking in Professional Growth 16:55 Key Takeaways from Conferences 18:12 Tips for Starting Conversations 20:09 Understanding Hard Selling vs. Genuine Connection 21:04 The Importance of Follow-Up 24:52 Challenges in Project Delivery 29:53 Resource Loading in Project Management 33:28 The Role of Project Controls 37:14 Collaboration in Project Management 40:12 Networking and Professional Development #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S8E186: Strategic Misrepresentation with Roger Garrini
June 23, 2024 • 01:13:40
In this episode, Roger Garrini discusses the concept of strategic misrepresentation in projects. Strategic misrepresentation refers to deliberately and systematically distorting or misstating information for strategic purposes. It often occurs in bids and tenders, where the desire to win the project leads to telling the customer what they want to hear, even if it's not entirely accurate. Strategic misrepresentation can have harmful consequences, such as wasting time and resources, causing budget overruns, and damaging trust. However, there are also instances where strategic misrepresentation can be beneficial, such as boosting confidence and motivation. The line between acceptable and harmful strategic misrepresentation is subjective and depends on the context and consequences. The conversation explores the challenges of strategic misrepresentation in project management and how it affects project outcomes. The guests discuss the reasons behind misrepresentation, such as political pressures and unrealistic expectations. They also explore the role of technology, particularly AI, in improving project delivery and decision-making. The conversation highlights the importance of data integrity and the need for organisations to create a culture of transparency and accountability. The guests suggest several strategies to address strategic misrepresentation, including better project governance, improved training and education, and a focus on ethical behaviour. Roger is a 42 year defence and aerospace, Stated in PMO of major radar project focused on planning ATE and test software against a changing build standard, moved to be PM of same then international bids and investment project including car gadgets and civil aerospace. Moved site and became involved in PM governance and Risk management, thence to ERM and audit finishing as UK IPR manager. Proudly sponsored by Deltek
S8E185: The Benefits of Diverse Teams in Problem-Solving with Richard Bendall-Jones
June 18, 2024 • 01:16:44
In this episode Dale flies solo explores with Richard the importance of diversity and inclusion in organisations and how to approach it effectively. It highlights the pitfalls of mandatory diversity training and the damaging nature of statements like 'I don't see gender or race.' The speakers discuss the need for humility, challenging the status quo, and creating a psychologically safe space for diverse perspectives. They also touch on the role of empathy, the benefits of diverse teams in problem-solving, and the challenges of breaking the cycle of homogeneity in industries like construction. The conversation emphasises the value of seeking out opposing views and the importance of feedback and growth. In this conversation, Richard and Dale discuss the importance of feedback and how to handle both positive and negative feedback constructively. They also explore the influence of technology, social media, and AI on diversity and inclusion. The conversation highlights the need for curiosity, open-mindedness, and creating safe environments for diverse perspectives. They emphasise the role of individuals in pushing the diversity question in the industry and the importance of continuous learning and growth. Richard has worked on UK infrastructure projects for over a decade, in project management and risk management roles. He's a product manager at nPlan, helping to usher in a new generation of tools to make the profession and construction industry better. Proudly Supported by our friends Deltek - Powering project success.
S8E179: Valuing the Project Timeline with Ali Mafi
February 21, 2024 • 01:26:39
In this episode, Val and Dale interview Ali Maffey about project management and the importance of lean thinking. They discuss the challenges of project planning, the role of technology in project management, and the complexity of project management tools. They also delve into the difference between identifying threats and shortening programs, the flaws of long-term planning, and the benefits of small projects. The conversation concludes with final thoughts and anecdotes from Ali.Takeaways Lean thinking is crucial in project management as it focuses on eliminating waste and improving efficiency. Project planning can be challenging, especially when it comes to long-term planning and forecasting risks in novel projects. Technology plays a significant role in project management, but it can also add complexity and hinder progress if not used effectively. Identifying bottlenecks and addressing them is essential for successful project execution. Improving project management requires a collective effort from all project professionals, and a focus on collaboration and breaking down silos. Ali started on-site as an engineer in Terminal 4 in 1980. I worked my way up to the project management role and, after two projects, decided how projects worked wasn't for me. Nothing seemed to work and I felt that it wasn’t intellectually engaging. It was all chasing sub-contractors and engaging in energy-sapping toxic behaviours such as blaming and defensive reasoning. Ali left construction to do an MBA and then worked at a large automotive company looking at life cycle cost and productivity. It was during this period that I discovered an environment where things worked. The right colour door arrived at the right colour car every time. Ali came back to construction and joined Balfour Beatty Civils and Rail major projects. Early on, I was asked, based on my automotive experience and MBA, to join the Business Improvement Team (BIT) which was probably the first of its kind in construction. The BIT was made up of 5 of the smartest people I have met in construction. We then spent 6 years testing out everything and anything we read or heard about. Ali started with implementing TQM before Lean Thinking. We helped Eli Goldratt with his first trial of Critical Chain. We met Gelen Ballard soon after his Last Planner paper was published. We tested out ideas from Semco and Riccardo Semler, setting up self-managing front-line teams on major projects. In 1999, Ali was seconded to Egan’s M4I (backed by the cabinet office) as an innovation advisor. I helped develop the Construction National KPIs, promote offsite manufacturing, and encourage the use of partnering PPC2000 forms of contract. Ali also set up and ran the first Lean Thinking training workshops in construction. Ali was also responsible for validating the innovations claimed by the 68 Egan complaint demonstration projects and producing the ministerial report for the parliament. In 2004 he helped set up Lean Thinking Ltd and became a member of Buildoffsite. At a later date, he supported the first BIM trial project. Ali has been involved with more than 200 projects and have experimented with more ideas, tools, techniques, initiatives, etc, on more live projects for a longer period than probably anyone else in the industry globally. Proudly Supported by Deltek - www.deltek.com
S6E148: We're rubbish at promoting the Project profession with Paul Goodge
December 19, 2022 • 00:59:02
In this week’s pod, we welcomed back Paul Goodge to discuss why we’re bad at promoting the industry. Paul is internationally regarded as a Programme Management and Change Management specialist. He is noted for his ability to swiftly and accurately diagnose issues and evolve solutions both from a technical and a behavioural point of view. In all of his most senior roles he successfully implemented Capability Improvement Plans that received significant praise both internally and with the customer base. Over his career he held a variety of roles both in line leadership and a number of functional responsibilities, providing him with insights across the whole of the enterprise. He has Chaired or sat on a wide variety of internal and external committees and steering groups. An ex-Board member of the Association of Project Management he has continued to work very closely with the organisation and was in the first cohort to achieve Chartered Project Professional status. He achieved an MBA from Cranfield University in 1994. Paul retired from full-time employment in 2012 and enjoys a wide range of interests. His portfolio encompasses consultancy work to various companies, the P3M profession, Executive Coaching and extensive work with various charities, operating locally, nationally and internationally. He is an avid long-distance walker, world-wide traveller, and greatly enjoys music, reading, sport, fine food and wine in his spare time. He has recently commenced studying for a PhD. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Whilst there isn’t much quantitative data on the subject, most Project Management professionals would agree that we are not great at promoting the industry There are not many case studies that people can refer to that show the benefit of project management Whose responsibility is it to promote the industry? Everyone’s! The associations also have a role to play in sharing knowledge within the industry as well as promoting it Not enough is currently done in terms of outreach programmes to attract graduates and students into the profession. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) have done this successfully in the UK Failure to entice a diverse range of candidates into the profession will cause issues in years to come Gamification and simulation of projects could be a way of promoting the benefits of project management to schoolchildren Groups such as Project Connect Group are helping to promote networking within the industry. The associations also have a role to play in this We are all ambassadors for the industry – be proud! Join us next week when we speak to Paul Waskett to discuss Project Controls in design and engineering stages For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ InEight - https://ineight.com/ Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S6E134: Does AI & Machine Learning really make a difference with Alan Mosca
September 18, 2022 • 01:35:11
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Alan Mosca to discuss whether machine learning and AI can really make a difference.Alan is the co-founder and CTO of nPlan, where he leads technology, research, and product, whilst developing thought leadership about forecasting and risk. Before nPlan, Alan spent 7 years as a technologist in quantitative finance, on live trading systems, research, and front-office in both high-frequency trading and asset management.Alan has extensive experience in algorithm design and software engineering and holds a BEng in Computer Engineering, MSc in Computer Science, and doctoral research in machine learning theory. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Machine Learning (ML) is a sub-branch of AI although the terms are often used interchangeablyML is useful for spotting really complex patternsWhen approaching major projects, machine learning aims to capture the data and experienceThe aim is to make the data simple enough for business leaders to understandAutomation will rescue some project information by providing consistency on transactional actionsThe key to understanding how to make good decisions is to understand the process they are going through to make it (see double diamond process)“Go to their bus stop”!Machine Learning can not and will not fix cultural issues within projects and organisationsML/IA will not replace humans on projects, it can only be used to inform decision makers to improve performanceCritical Path Methodology was great when tools were not available to do multiple scenarios on activitiesUse the current version of the future to make the next version of the future betterCould projects start using a decision log and track the inputs used to inform the decisions? Here are links to some of the topics we discussed:· Double Diamond Decision Process: https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-work/news-opinion/double-diamond-universally-accepted-depiction-design-process/· Buyer Decision Process: https://www.iedunote.com/buyer-decision-process· Cognitive Biases: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases· Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction Phillip Tetlock, Dan Gardner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Superforecasting-Science-Prediction-Philip-Tetlock/dp/1847947158/ref=asc_df_1847947158/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310805565966&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12494366783115682348&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045901&hvtargid=pla-454864998863&psc=1&th=1&psc=1· nPlan Experimental Research Department:
S5E125: Social Value and Key Project ROI Criteria with Dr Alexia Nalewaik
July 5, 2022 • 01:02:28
In this episode Dale and Val talk with Dr Alexia Nalewaik about expanding our social and climate responsibility beyond financial incentives. Noting the influence of projects on local infrastructure, business and environments, in some cases creating thriving communities. Have we moved into social measures for projects? What's holding us back? Are we ready to introduce other ROI measures? Dr Alexia talks with us to discuss some of the exciting work she is involved in and how this may shape projects in the future. Dr. Alexia Nalewaik FRICS CCP CCA has over 25 years of internationally recognised experience in audit, systemic risk, project analytics, governance, and cost estimating. She holds degrees in physics, civil engineering, and project management. Her focus on risk, stakeholders, transparency, and assurance continue to prove valuable to major clients in utilities, transportation, infrastructure, scientific facilities, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing. She is a professorial lecturer at American University, and the host of #PMChat weekly. Dr. Alexia has written two books on project-related topics (“Project Cost Recording and Reporting” and “Project Performance Review”), and published over 100 research papers and technical guidance. She is a Fellow of RICS Americas, AACE International, the Guild of Project Controls, and ICEC; she is a Past President of AACE International, and a Past Chair of ICEC. For more information, see ResearchGate and www.pellucidprojects.com. We also say thank you, as we complete our fifth season of the Project Chatter Podcast. Thank you to all our guests for their value and insight into several topics of interest. You've helped us pay it forward. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-chatter (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S5E124: Time Location charting for Linear Projects with Santosh Bhat
June 26, 2022 • 01:09:38
In this episode, Martin and Val talk to Santosh Bhat in detail about the lesser-known Time-location method and how it can be applied on projects. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Time chainage is a form of presenting activities from a project schedule. It differs from a Gantt chart by the addition of a second dimension i.e. location. It allows you to plot where activities are occurring Time is shown on the vertical axis which can often confuse people! Location is presented on the horizontal axis. It uses start / end dates and location information that already exists in planning software Time chainage charts are not a new concept. It first originated in the 1800s! The Empire State Building was built using a version of this After educating Project Managers about how to use a time chainage chart, it enabled better conversations around the schedules and stakeholders became more engaged as a result It doesn’t require any specific training to operate, it relies on the programme being fully logic linked The colours on the chart tend to represent project disciplines. It allows discussion on production rate estimates by visualizing activities into shapes Baselines can be assigned 4D is a snapshot of a schedule at a point in time. Time location charts is more appropriate for live scheduling. Both visualization tools are complementary rather than competing The software is particularly useful for what-if scenarios and visualizing the impact of changes Time location charts are not directly linked to time risk allowance in Primavera, it can be used to visualize risk analysis outputs People have the impression time location charts are too complex to implement and too difficult to explain to stakeholders which has prevented major projects from implementing it Tune in next time when we’re re-joined by Dr Alexia Nalewaik to talk social value as a key project ROI criteria.For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S5E119: When Governance is Too Much with Bahar Maghsoudi
May 15, 2022 • 01:10:40
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Bahar Maghsoudi to discuss when governance can be too much.Bahar is a passionate chartered Civil Engineer who, for the past 20+ years, has worked on fantastic projects across multiple sectors. She has an idea or two about what it takes to deliver successful projects, working as a team, and pulling together to deliver.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: · Governance is the framework for how project decisions are made · If it doesn’t add value, it shouldn’t be there · There is a risk that Project Managers will play the system to pass governance approvals · Businesses need to empower and give confidence to Project Managers to deliver major projects · In order to be effective, governance needs to be done at the right time and the right amount · Joint ventures can build more risk into a project due to the differing ideologies of the businesses · Listen to your project teams! Delays can be discussed and managed if the management team are aware of the real level of progress · Politics can drive the key dates for major government projects. This can lead to poor expectation management if target dates are unrealisticTune in next time when we’re re-joined by Al Simmonite to talk about professional collaboration in complex projects.For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #projectmanagement #governance #assurance
S5E110: The Boston Tidal Barrier with Adam Robinson
March 13, 2022 • 01:02:15
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Adam Robinson to talk about the Boston Barrier. Adam has been working on the Boston Barrier scheme since December 2014, a year after the east coast surge which flooded 800 properties and businesses in Boston. He has been an integral part of the Clients delivery team in ensuring the timely submission of the Full Business Case and HMT Green book financial submission as well as the Boston Barrier Transport and Works Act Order 2017 application. He has led on the delivery of the main legal agreements with all key stakeholders and with his communication’s team on local community engagement prior to and during the Public Inquiry which occurred in 2017. Adam has continued to lead the scheme throughout the delivery phase maintaining corporate leadership continuity on the project to ensure that the project, which is an Environment Agency priority scheme, delivered its 5% target towards the last six year corporate target of better protecting 300,000 homes better by March 2021. In 2021 Adam was named as one of 27 civil engineers recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers as a Carbon Champion for his work leading on reducing carbon emissions on the scheme. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: The Boston Barrier Tidal Flood Defence Scheme is a £100m project for the Environment Agency, delivered by BMMJV (a joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald), to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to 14,300 properties and businesses in Boston, Lincolnshire. Boston is located on the east coast of the United Kingdom off The Wash and has a history of tidal surges. The project will reduce the risk of tidal flooding against an event of 1 in 300, or an annual exceedance probability of 0.33% of flooding for the 100 year project lifespan. The Boston Barrier is the first major construction project undertaken by the Environment Agency to map project outcomes against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) Here are some links to the topics we discussed: Case Study – Boston Barrier - https://waterprojectsonline.com/custom_case_study/boston-barrier-2021/ Hyperlink to LinkedIn post showing the timelapse construction: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6717472772433559552/ Institution of Civil Engineers Boston Barrier landing page: Boston Barrier Scheme | Institution of Civil Engineers (ice.org.uk) Open paper on the Boston Barrier re: climate change and social outcomes published last year and not behind a pay wall: Boston tidal barrier, UK: adapting to climate change and delivering social outcomes | Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering (icevirtuallibrary.com) Boston Barrier first closure: https://fb.watch/bH8tlKdc6D/ Boston Barrier installation: https://fb.watch/bH7DarAGbX Boston site flyover: https://twitter.com/BostonBarrierEA/status/1446431284239257613 Tune in next week when we’re joined by the presenters at the EVA26 event led by Steve Wake. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications linkedin.comlinkedin.com Sign Up | LinkedIn 500 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil EngineeringProceedings of the Institution of Ci
S5E105: Productivity, Prioritisation & Focus with Nigel Creaser
February 6, 2022 • 01:29:37
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Nigel Creaser to discuss Productivity, Prioritisation, and Focus. Nigel is a Project Manager from Shropshire in the UK. He has over 25 years in the industry, delivering multi-million-pound projects across a myriad of sectors. He is also the host of the Sunday Lunch Project Manager Podcast and author of several books in the Project Management profession, with a couple of them poking fun at the profession. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Productivity is effectively making time to allow you to do the things you want to do rather than have to do Time management skills are often perceived as a soft skill therefore it doesn’t get the same level of attention as more technical tasks It’s assumed you’ll find a way to do it rather than a subject that is taught at school The difference between productivity and efficiency is down to effectiveness. Businesses can be very efficient at producing poor quality outputs If you don’t manage yourself it is easy to get diverted to something more exciting All meetings need to have a clear agenda and attendee list If you choose not to decide, you have still made a choice Calendar management is ultimately your responsibility. There may be consequences to certain decisions but you should own this as it is your time Try to avoid context switching which leads to distractions. Plan time to do the more mundane tasks and do them effectively There is an art to knowing what is important. Be prepared to offer feedback and training when you see other people who are struggling to prioritise Be conscious that other people will prioritise for you if you do not take charge of your prioritise. This may not be the right thing for you It is useful to measure the amount of time you are interrupted in your day job and assess techniques to alleviate Use technology to stop non-productive distractions e.g. mute button on Whatsapp or rules in Outlook Here are links to some of the concepts we discussed: Nigel Creaser – Project Manager Productivity Hacks: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Project-Manager-Productivity-Hacks-2021-ebook/dp/B094DJ9M38Manager Tools Podcast: https://www.manager-tools.com/all-podcastsHow to Create Rules to move email messages to different folders in Outlook Office 365: How to Create Rules to move email messages to different folders in Outlook Office 365 Workplace Jazz: https://workplace-jazz.com/Eddie Obeng – Qube: https://qube.cc/what-is-qube/ Tune in next week when we’re joined by Richard Newey to discuss Risk Management in endurance sports. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcas
S4E99: The Philosophy of Project Management with Paul Goodge & Warren Beardall
December 12, 2021 • 01:27:16
In this week’s pod, we welcomed back Paul Goodge and Warren Beardall to discuss the philosophy of project management. Paul is internationally regarded as a Programme Management and Change Management specialist. He is noted for his ability to swiftly and accurately diagnose issues and evolve solutions both from a technical and a behavioural point of view. Over his career he held a variety of roles both in line leadership and a number of functional responsibilities, providing him with insights across the whole of the enterprise. He has Chaired or sat on a wide variety of internal and external committees and steering groups. An ex-Board member of the Association of Project Management he has continued to work very closely with the organisation and was in the first cohort to achieve Chartered Project Professional status. He achieved an MBA from Cranfield University in 1994. Paul retired from full-time employment in 2012 and enjoys a wide range of interests. His portfolio encompasses consultancy work to various companies, the P3M profession, Executive Coaching and extensive work with various charities, operating locally, nationally and internationally. Projects to Warren are principally associated with the construction industry. He worked for 25 years within the construction related insurance industry. Three years ago Warren made a decision to reset his career. He joined a consulting practice offering specialist risk, internal control and assurance advice to large scale construction and professional service providers. Career project experience was predominantly centered around Public Private Partnerships. Advising senior debt lenders, project equity Special Purpose Vehicles, Government entities or Construction Contractors. UK PFI, US and Canadian P3, Turkish and European PPP. This experience became the center-piece of his MSc dissertation. The interim conclusions of this ongoing research is that Partnerships were never truly there. And that this is deemed no different in our wider construction endeavor. The suggested answer to the paradox is that projects are either set up to collaborate, or they are set up to fail. That is what he is here to discuss. If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: PlanAcademy.com | InEight.com | JustDo.com Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S4E95: Digital Transformation and the differences between PMO and PM with Dr Harris Apostolopolos
November 14, 2021 • 01:15:14
In this episode, Dale and Val talk to Dr Harris about the various definitions of Transformation, Digital, PMO and PM. Dr Harris is a visionary strategy executive, author and speaker with two decades of diverse industry exposure, highly skilled and experienced in international and multicultural business environments. Led and directed a plethora of large scale, complex project portfolios and programs (20 countries, up to $1.65 billion value and benefits of $178 million). Results-oriented, being capable to lead Business and Digital transformations, PMOs and sustainable strategy implementation, putting the pieces towards corporate excellence. Harris’s work often involves the integration of multiple strategy processes & tools taking into consideration diverse corporate environment factors, blended with change and risk management frameworks as well as, with global project management best practices (traditional / hybrid / agile). Personal Mantra: Being motivated by what others believe as complex and impossible to achieve. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by; PlanAcademy.com InEight.com JustDo.com Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S4E86: Making law work for the construction & engineering industry with Sarah Schutte
September 12, 2021 • 01:26:05
In this week’s pod we welcomed Sarah Schutte to discuss how to make law work for the construction and engineering industry. Sarah is an independent UK-qualified solicitor-advocate and runs her own legal and training consultancy. She has 19 years' experience as a specialist infrastructure lawyer, including 12 years working directly for industry. She has developed a niche practice in project management, project controls and the law (PPM and P3M and PMO). She collaborates closely with global Chapters of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the UK Association of Project Managers (APM). The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: • The contract is the framework, means and vehicle for delivering and managing projects • Freedom of contract allows companies to agree anything within their contracts provided it is legal. They are then bound by these agreements • No project manager is taught contract law in PMBOK or APM frameworks. This should change given the importance to project delivery • The role of project managers has evolved to include leadership and motivation. The next evolution should be commercial know-how • NEC Contracts are written in the “simple, present, active voice”! • There is a difference between Commercial teams and Legal teams. Legal are generally consulted whereas commercial generally manage contracts. Legal can often be overly academic • Standard contract templates can be a useful starting point for projects in countries where contracts are not overly prescriptive e.g. Spain • Learning about the technical aspect of the project allows commercial teams to be value adding to the delivery teams • There isn’t a best time to speak to the in house legal counsel though most people leave it too late! • As a legal counsel, it is your duty to give advice and inform clients of potential consequences to their commercial position. • The transparency element of NEC Option C/D is overly weighted towards cost rather than time and quality • It is important to provide accurate reporting even if the contractor or internal team do not like the answers Here are links to some of the topics that were discussed: Schutte Consulting Peridot Consulting International LLP Project Business Foundation: not-for-profit education and accreditation for PMs dealing with outsourced projects. Basic knowledge of contract law for Project Managers: https://www.apm.org.uk/blog/basic-knowledge-of-contract-law-is-essential-for-an-effective-project-manager/ Basic Contract Law for Project Managers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKhhSNxgqVs ----------------------------------------- Join us next week where we’re joined by Lorraine Humphrey to talk about Project Assurance and Risk Management. Val and Dale are discussing the future of Project Controls at the Virtual Project Controls Expo next week. Be sure to tune in! For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! Dale and Val
S3E71: How Adaptive Project Management Improves Projects with Gary Wong & Hendrik Lourens
May 29, 2021 • 01:26:51
In this episode, Dale and Val talk about adaptive projects management and how skills and demands are changing, as well as how we should perceive the needs. We talk to Gary Wong and Hendrik Lourens about their vast knowledge in this area and how adaptive project management can truly improve project performance. A bit about our guests; Gary Wong has over 45 years of experience starting with his career in an electrical utility where he worked in engineering, line operations, business consulting and training roles. PM responsibilities included managing electric utility construction and maintenance projects and running a PMO for Business Process re-engineering initiatives. He later joined Ernst & Young Consulting (now Capgemini Consulting) as a Senior Manager in Strategy & Transformation. Gary has operated his own independent consulting practice over the past 15 years focusing on complexity thinking and safety. He is a training associate with Cognitive-Edge Inc. and co-authors and delivers complexity courses and workshops. Gary has an engineering degree from UBC and an MBA from SFU. He also has held roles as a certified FranklinCovey 7 Habits facilitator and an Edward de Bono Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking instructor. Hendrik Lourens is the owner of Stratflow, a company that provides solutions to project focussed companies that are looking to mitigate risk and to deliver immediate and significant results. He helps his clients to achieve breakthrough performance by clarifying the inherent simplicity in complicated and pressured environments and focussing their effort on the few critical leverage points that affect their system. Hendrik is a physicist by training with advanced qualifications in Polymer Science, accreditation in Theory of Constraints (Critical Chain Project Management, Finance, Operations and Supply chain, Thinking Processes) as well as an MBA. Hendrik has worked at the Director level in manufacturing businesses and for a number of Tier 1 companies. He has worked with companies such as Aurizon, Qantas, John Holland, CPB, Downer, BHP & Anglo American and published widely on productivity, digitisation and social licence. This podcast is brought to you by: JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com - save $75 on any course with this link - www.planacademy.com/chatter/ #projectmanagement #projectcontrols #projectplanning #projectriskmanagement #projectledaership
S9E206: Fast Forward to the Past – Dodging the bullets of tech trends like AI to deliver perfect projects with Prof. Eddie Obeng
September 24, 2025 • 01:03:19
In this episode, Val and Dale engage with Professor Eddie Obeng to explore the multifaceted implications of AI in today's world. They discuss the hype surrounding AI, its potential benefits and challenges in various sectors, particularly healthcare and governance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of human elements in technology, the need for a balanced perspective on AI's role in society, and the necessity of dreaming a better future rather than getting swept up in the gold rush mentality.📖 All Change! [Project Chatter Edition]TakeawaysAI is both a potential savior and a threat.The hype around AI often overshadows its practical applications.Understanding the human element is crucial in technology adoption.Persuasion plays a significant role in the AI gold rush.AI can enhance healthcare but must be approached cautiously.The future of work will be shaped by how we integrate AI.Governance can benefit from AI, but ethical considerations are paramount.Community values should guide the implementation of AI.AI's limitations must be acknowledged to avoid over-reliance.Dreaming a better future is essential for meaningful progress.Chapters00:00 The AI Gold Rush: Promise or Peril?13:19 Understanding AI: Tools vs. Jobs22:40 The Human Element in Technology31:49 Leadership in the Age of AI33:09 Evolve, Dominate or Die: The New Business Paradigm34:32 Harnessing AI: A Practical Approach38:49 The Human Element in AI and Technology41:07 AI in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges44:47 Reimagining Community and Governance with AI56:32 The Future of AI in Administration and Decision Making
S8E177: AI in Project Delivery with James Garner
January 24, 2024 • 01:08:07
In this episode, the guest, James Garner, discusses the role of AI in project management and its future implications. He shares his origin story and how he got into the field of AI. The conversation covers the definition of AI in project management and the different levels of AI sophistication. The guest also talks about the pace of AI implementation and the factors that contribute to the fear and adoption of AI. The episode concludes with a discussion on the government's generative AI framework and the importance of making project data freely accessible. The conversation explores the changing landscape of construction, the benefits of AI in project functions, the evolution of associations with AI, governance and safeguarding AI, and various other topics related to AI and technology.Takeaways AI in project management is a broad term that encompasses various levels of AI sophistication, from simple automation to more advanced machine learning and neural networks. The future of project management with AI involves a gradual progression towards increased automation and predictability, allowing professionals to focus on value-added tasks. The pace of AI implementation in project management is expected to be gradual but exponential, with constant advancements and increasing adoption. The fear of AI in project management can stem from a lack of understanding, time constraints, and the rapid pace of technological change. Education and accessibility are key to overcoming these barriers. The government's generative AI framework and initiatives like data trusts are important steps towards making project data freely accessible and fostering collaboration in the industry. The construction industry is evolving with the adoption of AI, robotics, and 3D printing, leading to changes in site operations and improved safety. Consultancy services, such as engineering and architecture, can benefit from AI by streamlining workflows and providing innovative solutions. Associations like APM and RICS have a role in setting standards and guidelines for AI adoption in the construction industry. Governance and safeguarding of AI are crucial to protect data privacy and ensure responsible use of technology. Common misconceptions about AI include the belief that it is a recent development and the lack of understanding about its potential impact. Leadership is a combination of nature and nurture, with the potential for individuals to develop leadership skills through training and experience. Recommended book: 'The Singularity is Near' by Ray Kurzweil, which explores the future of AI and predicts the point at which machines surpass human intelligence. James, an accomplished data leader in the construction industry, began his journey as a Quantity Surveyor in 2000. After earning a first-class honours degree, he wrote his university dissertation on data and digitalisation in the construction sector. James quickly built a strong portfolio, becoming a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2002. In 2012, he was elected as a Fellow of RICS for his significant writing contributions to the RICS Black Book technical standards. Throughout his career, James has worked on prestigious projects, including buildings for Imperial College and various Oxford University Colleges. Whilst employed at Gleeds as a Quantity Surveyor, he became head of the Education sector for London. In 2020, James took on a new challenge as Head of Insights and Analytics at Gleeds. This opportunity allowed him to further his skillset and qualify as a data analyst in 2022, launching the company's data analytics and research capabilities. UK Gov paper - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-ai-framework-for-hmg/generative-ai-framework-for-hmg-html#understanding-generative-ai James' newsletter - https://projectflux.beehiiv.com/subscribe Project Chatter is Proudly Sponsored by Deltek
S8E176: ChatGPT Plus for Projects with Lawrence Rowland
January 12, 2024 • 01:23:38
Lawrence Rowland discusses the potential of ChatGPT and GPT in project management. He explains the differences between ChatGPT and GPT, highlighting the benefits of ChatGPT+ and the GPT Builder. Lawrence emphasises the importance of early adoption and experimentation with GPTs, as well as the need for entry-level tools to encourage wider adoption. He explores the role of GPTs in enhancing communication and information flow in project teams, and the potential for GPTs to disrupt and expedite various aspects of project management. Lawrence also discusses the upcoming ChatGPT Store and the possibilities of sharing and testing GPT use cases. He encourages project professionals to embrace the creativity and imagination enabled by GPTs and emphasises the importance of learning and exploring the capabilities of these models. The conversation explores the democratisation of projects and the changing role of project managers in the context of AI implementation. It discusses the flywheel effect of AI implementation and the potential impact on project success rates. The conversation also touches on ethics, education, alignment, and control issues related to AI. It highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in AI projects and the need for ongoing discussions in society. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future modes of AI interaction and their impact on the physical world. Takeaways ChatGPT and GPT offer low-code or no-code environments for project professionals to experiment and apply AI in their work. Early adoption of GPTs can help address resource scarcity and skill set challenges in project management. GPTs have the potential to enhance communication and information flow in project teams, enabling faster decision-making and problem-solving. The upcoming ChatGPT Store will provide a platform for sharing and accessing public GPTs, fostering collaboration and innovation in project management. Project professionals should start with the hardest questions when using GPTs and be open to exploring the capabilities and limitations of these models. AI implementation is increasing the democratisation of projects, allowing a broader range of people to run projects at different scales. The role of project managers is changing as AI takes on more implementation tasks, requiring project managers to focus on decision-making and conflict resolution. The flywheel effect of AI implementation leads to more data on project success and failure, improving the overall success rate of projects done through AI. Ethical considerations and education are important factors to address in the context of AI implementation. Transparency and accuracy in AI projects are crucial, and different approaches to AI centralization and decentralisation may impact these factors. Ongoing discussions and societal awareness are necessary to navigate the impact of AI on businesses and society. Future modes of AI interaction, such as video integration and task-based models, will further impact project management and the physical w Proudly Sponsored by Deltek
S7E174: Breaking down the barriers to implementation of good practice with Adrian Dooley
December 26, 2023 • 01:12:22
In this episode, Adrian Dooley discusses the barriers to applying good project management practices and the root causes behind them. He highlights the issue of project failure and the need to identify the true causes rather than just the symptoms. Adrian also explores the challenges of applying lessons learned and the impact of forgetting and lack of support. He emphasizes the potential of AI in project management but cautions against the dissemination of unreliable information. Additionally, he addresses the cost and accessibility of training and the importance of practical application and soft skills. Finally, Adrian shares the benefits of the Praxis Framework and the power of checklists in improving project outcomes. In this conversation, Adrian Dooley discusses the importance of integrating good practices and overcoming barriers to embedding them. He emphasizes the need to focus on the basics and not overcomplicate project management. Adrian shares anecdotes and highlights the value of involving business stakeholders, understanding requirements, and applying simple approaches. He encourages project managers to communicate and convince their organizations to provide space for applying learned practices. Adrian concludes by reminding listeners that projects can succeed and make a difference when common sense and the fundamentals are applied.Takeaways Integrate good practices and make them accessible to the organization. Identify and overcome barriers to embedding good practices. Focus on the basics and avoid overcomplicating project management. Involve business stakeholders, understand requirements, and apply simple approaches. Communicate and convince organisations to provide space for applying learned practices. Projects can succeed when common sense and fundamentals are applied. Originally a project manager on construction, Adrian has held various roles in project management for 45 years. He was part of the team that created one of the first project scheduling software packages and was founder member of the first independent project management magazine -Project Manager Today. He founded The Projects Group (a training and consultancy company) and served on the Executive Council of the APM. He is a non-executive Director of APM Group and the lead author of the Praxis Framework.
S7E170: Building with Conscience - Cement's Eco Dilemma with Eoin Condren
October 19, 2023 • 01:22:27
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Eoin Condren to discuss "Building with Conscience: Cement's Eco Dilemma"! Eoin is corporate development director at Ecocem, in charge of the strategic structuring of the business to allow it to take advantage of the many opportunities that it currently has in front of it. He’s been with the company 2.5 years. His background is in finance and he spent 15 years working in real estate, infrastructure and tech private equity, investing in the US, the UK and throughout Europe. He’s a keen rugby fan and very average player who’s lowest moment has to be the time Dale, a prop, out-sprinted him, a fullback come winger on an attacking move about 10 years ago. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: 1,000 bathtubs worth of concrete are poured every second The majority of CO2 emissions are in clinker which is the key reactive material within cement Companies should focus on using timber where possible, however the If we replaced 25% of all the concrete consumed in any given year and replaced with more sustainable products such as timber, you would need to cut down a forest 1.5x the size of India Only 10% of concrete is cement, however it represents 94% of the carbon footprint When limestone is heated, it degrades into co2 and clinker Cement production process has not changed significantly in the last 200 year Join us next time when we’re joined by Jessie Schilling to discuss Enhancing risk maturity in your operating environment. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: InEight - https://ineight.com/ Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership
S7E153: AI in Project Controls: Separating Fact from Fiction with Alan Mosca
February 5, 2023 • 01:05:41
In this week’s pod, we welcomed back Alan Mosca to discuss AI in Project Controls – Separating fact from fiction. Alan is the co-founder and CTO of nPlan, where he leads technology, research, and product, whilst developing thought leadership about forecasting and risk. Before nPlan, Alan spent 7 years as a technologist in quantitative finance, on live trading systems, research, and front-office in both high-frequency trading and asset management. Alan has extensive experience in algorithm design and software engineering and holds a BEng in Computer Engineering, MSc in Computer Science, and doctoral research in machine learning theory. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: There needs to be a lot of responsibility with using data from AI toolsets Toolsets are available that can auto-plan a successor activity in a schedule based on previous data Large language models only work based on language. Chat GPT took longer to reach the mainstream because of the data checks to ensure outputs were not inappropriate AI will not replace humans on projects. It will only evolve their current roles In the next 3-5 years we will see models that can internalize the meaning of a project AI could be used to measure schedule compliance with the contract Models can’t self-regulate which can lead to biases in data. We’re past the point of having a common data environment Create better things not faster things! Simulation is harder than AI because it requires a greater level of precision One person’s experience is another person’s bias One of the main fictions of AI is that everything will be possible. It will never predict the future, it will only forecast possible outcomes Be a critic! AI outputs are not infallible Here are links to some of the topics we discussed: David Chalmers – Are Large Language Models Sentient? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BcuCmf00_Y Join us next time when we’re re-joined by Christine McLean to discuss EQ, IQ, and MQ: Unlocking the Power of Softer Skills For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: InEight - https://ineight.com/ Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S6E150: Project Controls in Design & Engineering stages with Paul Waskett
December 30, 2022 • 01:12:00
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Paul Waskett to discuss Project Controls in design and engineering stages. Paul is a Director of Adept Management where he takes responsibility for the development of their Project Controls tools and services, as well as supporting clients and projects across the construction industry. Since 2014, Paul has been supporting two major rail projects. He is a Mechanical Engineer by background and has over 20 years’ experience in Design Management and Project Controls. In addition, Paul has spent time working in central government, where he managed a construction innovation budget, and as a researcher where he developed some of Adept Management's innovative approaches to design planning and management. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: There is generally more scrutiny on the construction part of a design and build contract however both need equal attention in order to manage projects effectively Design planning is not as linear as other types of programmes. There are generally more interdependencies and iterations of designs Build a WBS and identify relevant activities and inputs before starting the planning process As the project is delivered, the Last Planner System can be used to monitor progress Using % complete to measure design progress can be difficult to implement consistently Working from home has made it more difficult to promote communication and problem solving in major projects as the relevant stakeholders are not collaborating as often as they would in an office based environment Earned Value Management only works when rules of credit are in place and all stakeholders are aware of the limitations of it being the sole measure of progress Digital twin can help engineers to assess the effect of what may seem like a small scale change on a design It is prudent to have a sole interface between engineering and project management in order to deliver a consistent message One of the key challenges for Engineering Managers is to get the “commitment” from the engineering team(s) to deliver to a specified date or budget Here are links to some of the topics we discussed: The Latham Report – Constructing The Team: https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Constructing-the-team-The-Latham-Report.pdf Adept Management: https://www.adeptmanagement.com/ Last Planner System: https://leanconstructionblog.com/What-is-the-Last-Planner-System.html Join us next week when we speak to Tony Welch to discuss five levers for change. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ InEight - https://ineight.com/ Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Engineering #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture
S6E139: The Post-Pandemic Job Market in Projects with Chirag Shah
October 23, 2022 • 01:07:19
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Chirag Shah to discuss the post-pandemic Project Controls job market.Chirag is a passionate Project Controls Recruitment Expert. His mission is to deliver clients the best quality Project Controls and PMO professionals, who are trusted to bring projects in on time and within budget.Chirag does this by digging that little bit deeper, to understand the client's story and what they are trying to achieve. He has more than 17 year's recruitment experience, having built an extensive network and is a trusted advisor.Most recently, Chirag has been moving the project community forward through LinkedIn and by bringing people together through networking events. He is the London Ambassador for the Project Connect Group and is promoting other leading industry events such as Project Controls Expo and Project Controls Summit.Outside of work, Chirag is a dedicated father to an 8-year-old and 1 year old. The pandemic helped Chirag focus on changing from a fixed to a growth mindset or so he likes to think.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Many youngsters are choosing to move abroad to take advantage of major infrastructure investment in Australia and the Middle East The shift towards hybrid working has made it harder for early careers staff to gain softer skills such as resilience, influencing and networking The UK Project Controls job market is buoyant. People should not worry about whether they can leave a “safe job” There has been a greater diversity of experience in the project controls market Don’t be a “quiet quitter” – be passionate about what you’re doing! Recruiters try to look for examples of resilience in candidates based on the type of experience during their career Many recruiters advocate references and testimonials into CV’s to stand out from the crowd UK Project Controls salaries have increased by c.10-15% since the start of the pandemic Join us next week when we speak to Susan Rooney-Harding to discuss the inability to evaluate complex and multiple truths as one of the greatest threats For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ InEight - https://ineight.com/Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S6E129: Takt Planning on Construction Projects with Spencer Easton
August 9, 2022 • 01:15:43
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Spencer Easton to discuss Takt Planning on Construction Projects.Spencer has been in the construction industry for 18 years. He is the Co-Founder / Trainer for LeanTakt and a Project Director at Elevate Construction. He co-authored the book Takt Planning and Integrated Control. He worked in the trades for the first decade of his career while attending night classing to achieve his Bachelors degree in Construction Management.He holds certifications from PMI-SP, AACE-PSP, AGC CM-Lean, Acumen Fuse and Risk Analysis certified. He has mentored, coached, managed and trained thousands of individuals lean principles and tools and loves to share concepts that make a difference in a happier work environment and work life balance.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Takt Planning comes from Lean Manufacturing. 60% of all construction projects in Germany use Takt Planning There is a huge reluctance in the construction industry to use Takt Planning because “that’s the way we’ve always done it!” By using production laws, it aims to align teams by utilising more areas in the construction plan In Takt Plans rows usually represent work locations / zones. This helps to visualise the “logistical flow” of the planned works Here are links to a some of the topics we discussed: Takt Time Formula – Taking Takt to the Next Level - https://theleanbuilder.com/takt-time-formula-taking-takt-to-the-next-level/ Tune in next time when we’re joined by Mathilde Roubille to talk about Digital Engineering in Construction.For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ InEight - https://ineight.com/S tay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S6E128: Creating Value from Adapting Agility to Project Management with Adrian Pyne
July 31, 2022 • 01:13:09
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Adrian Pyne to discuss what project agility really looks like. Adrian is above all a project professional. He has led or rescued Transformation programmes widely from Telcos to eCommerce, Finance. Mining, Aviation, and the public sector. He has designed, built and operated P3 (project, programme and portfolio management) capability, PMOs, and Professional Services businesses. His key skill is the adaptation of best practice successfully. In the last 10 years his consultancy has focussed on two areas. Firstly, what he and colleagues call Organisational Project Management – the creation of an organisation culture that enables projects to Thrive and not merely Survive, or even die. Secondly, on Agile Project Management which too many organisations get badly, and expensively, wrong. He has written Agile Beyond IT, a book on Agile Project Management, showing how it both can be used well beyond the realm of IT Agile software development projects.. Adrian says he will also show that Agile projects can have any life-cycle they need. Adrian remains a frequent speaker around APM and elsewhere, including internationally, and is a visiting lecturer at Nottingham and Southampton University Business Schools, He is also a regular blogger, and he says, is still learning. Adrian is semi-retired and lives with his partner in Dorset. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Agile or Agility comes from the Agile Manifesto 2001 (4 values). It was always intended to be used for Software Development Great project professionals are agile! We “do” projects to deliver value. Agile is focused on the delivery of value In the late 90s / early 2000s saw a realization that people deliver projects. If they are not engaged and focused, the project is likely to fail There is no point implementing agile projects if the organizational culture is toxic A hybrid approach between Agile and Critical Path methodologies is often challenging. When you adapt agility to Project Management, it is adapted to everything including planning / scheduling. This needs to keep pace in order for it to work Scrum is a purely software development approach – it is NOT a project management approach Some of the major agile certifications are heavily focused towards IT projects. This needs to be broadened to make it more relevant Agile projects should aim to make an audit trail of the value within a project For every project change request – does it enhance the value? Organisations that do not adopt agility are more likely to be commercial risk Here are links to a some of the topics we discussed: Agile Beyond IT: How to Develop Agility in Project Management in any Sector – Adrian Pyne https://www.amazon.co.uk/Agile-Beyond-develop-agility-management/dp/1788603273 Manifesto for Agile Software Development - https://agilemanifesto.org/ Jo Lucas – Activating the Mycelium - https://sustainabilitypractitioners.org/rpm-ego-to-eco-in-conversation-with-jo-lucas/ Forbes: How to Succeed in a Project Economy - https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccazucker/2022/01/11/how-to-succeed-in-a-project-economy/?sh=668b222a28d9 Agile Beyond IT Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/agile-beyond-it-6922580439241007104/ Tune in next time when we’re joined by Spencer Easton to talk about Takt production vs Takt time. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
S6E127: The Future of Planning with Ed Van Der Tak
July 24, 2022 • 01:08:22
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Ed Van Der Tak to discuss the future of Project Planning and Technology trends. With over 30 years of experience in planning and scheduling, Ed has worked in various positions and areas within Project Planning & Management. He lives and works in The Netherlands but has also worked and trained in the Middle East.In the early 1990s Ed started his career as a planning engineer in major turn-around projects. Between 2000 and 2009, Ed was co-owner of a Dutch consultancy and training company. In 2011 he founded the Dutch Planning and Scheduling institute to promote the profession and develop new skills and techniques.Ed currently works as a planning manager on a €1bn infrastructure programme in The Netherlands and is a lecturer at the University of Applied Science in Rotterdam.Ed has always been interested in new techniques and future ways of working. He follows trends in technology and automation to start to use these techniques and change our mindset.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: A good planner needs to be a good storyteller A planner should approach the from different angles e.g. cost impact or risk impact Many infrastructure companies are already collecting data to enable machine learning on projects The rise in the use of AI on project may lead to the role of a project planner becoming more generic and turning into an analyst type role Will AI create or prevent creativity? For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.comIf you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast.Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!#ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S5E118: Hexi Approach and What it Means to the Cynefin Framework with Dave Snowden
May 8, 2022 • 01:10:47
In this episode, Dale and Val talk to Dave about the additional elements of the Hexi approach and implementation guide for the Cynefin Framework and facilitation in your organisation. Following on from our previous discussion with Dave (Episode 83), Dave takes us on a linguistic trip of rhetoric and insight on his views about projects and how Hexi can be utilised. David John Snowden (born 1954) is a Welsh management consultant and researcher in the field of knowledge management and the application of complexity science. Known for the development of the Cynefin framework,[1] Snowden is the founder and chief scientific officer of Cognitive Edge, a Singapore-based management consulting firm specialising in complexity and sensemaking.[2] Dave is the Director of the Cynefin Centre, Chief Scientific Officer Cognitive Edge. Creator of the Cynefin Framework. Lead author EU Field Guide to managing in Complexity (and crisis). His focus is on naturalising sense-making as an emerging trans-disciplinary field of study. Here are links to some of the topics that were discussed: Cynefin Framework – A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making (hbr.org) Cynefin Method Kits (Hexi) - https://thecynefin.co/method-kits/ Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness (PDF) Complex Acts of Knowing: Paradox and Descriptive Self-Awareness (researchgate.net) —————————————– Proudly sponsored by: JustDo – https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy – https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight – https://ineight.com/ Prosci – https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch… (FREE resource kit)Stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Cynefin #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications
S5E115: Moving the Needle - The Project Data Analytics Hackathons with Martin Paver
April 17, 2022 • 01:13:23
In this week’s pod, we welcomed back Martin Paver to discuss what’s been happening in the Project Data Analytics Hackathons Martin is the CEO and Founder of Projecting Success, a consultancy that specialises in leveraging project data to transform project delivery; from high end strategic consultancy through to apprentice training. He has led a $1bn megaproject and a multi $billion portfolio office. He is the founder of the Project Data Analytics community, comprising ~6,000 members who share a passion for leveraging the exhaust plume of project data. He regularly blogs and presents at international conferences, helping to ignite the professional imagination and inspire change. He is also the co-chair of the Project Data Analytics Task Force and is helping to lead the charge for disruptive change. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: · Many project professionals do not realise they are working with data but see it individual cost / schedule toolsets · We need to think differently, too many projects have failed using the Prince 2 / APM methodologies · 9,000 people are currently in the project data analytics community. We do not have enough data to back up the knowledge and skills of the individuals which will lead to better decisions · Need to do more work to get the solutions adopted within organisations · Data from construction companies will have an independent “steward” to monitor the usage of the information · Hackathons bring a variety of Project Professionals together to solve problems. The teams are made up of data analysts, project managers, students to ensure a diversity of thought · The investment in data analytics has increased 100 fold in the last year · Change is happening. Some people will choose to not evolve their skillsets and risk becoming harder to employ · Jeff Bezos “I want people in my team who are right most of the time”. Data supports leaders to justify business decisions based on past performance · There needs to be a support eco-system to incentivize using analytics and demonstrating the benefits · If you are interested in contributing to the Project Data movement, the following options are available o Join the London Data Analytics Meetups (past videos on website) o Attend the Project Hacks o Get trained up. Join the apprenticeship Here are links to some of the topics we discussed: · Project Hack 15: https://www.projectdataanalytics.co.uk/projecthack/ · Cognitive Biases: https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/cognitive-biases/#:~:text=The%20Cognitive%20Bias%20Codex%3A%20A%20Visual%20Of%20180%2B%20Cognitive%20Biases&text=In%20a%20single%20image%2C%20we,we%20might%20begin%20to%20improve · Top Ten Behavioral Biases in Project Management: An Overview: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3979164 Tune in next week when we’re re-joined by Nick Fewings to talk about achieving high-performance teamwork and greater success. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-chatter/ - (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications TeachThoughtTeachThought The Cognitive Biases List: A Visual Of 180+ Heuristics Cognitive biases are tendencies to selectively search for or interpret data in a way that confirms one's existing beliefs. Written
S5E109: Enabling early careers in Project Controls with Michelle Banner & Johnny Shepherd
March 8, 2022 • 01:14:23
In this week’s pod, we welcomed Michelle Banner and Jonathan Shepherd to talk about enabling early careers in Project Controls. Michelle has more than 20 years of experience in infrastructure, nuclear, utilities, and various other industries. She is recognized as a technical expert in her specialism of Planning and Risk along with having a substantial background in cost and estimating. She is experienced in delivering EPC, R&D and Engineering contracts for infrastructure, utilities and nuclear. She is experienced in all aspects of project delivery from bidding through to commissioning and closeout. As a recognized expert, Michelle has written and delivered training both internally and for external clients on topics such as Earned Value Management, Schedule Management and Resource Management. She has also had a leading involvement in the development of endpoint assessment material for TASC (assessing Project Controls competence up to degree level). Johnny has developed a passion for project controls since embarking on the apprenticeship programme in 2014. Jonathan has a particular speciality in project planning and has recently been promoted to a senior role at an early stage of his career. Throughout his career, Johnny has made a conscious effort to develop a rounded skill set within project controls as he has ambitions to take a leading role in the future. He has recently embarked on the BSc (Hons) Project Controls Professional Degree Apprenticeship, the first of its kind in the UK. In doing so, Johnny aims to develop his critical thinking skills and to begin supporting his projects & programmes in a more strategic way the main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: There is not enough emphasis on mentorships. Many relationships are informal which can be to the detriment of introvertsThe UK has had success with STEM representatives going into schools to promote Engineering. This should be the case for Project Management / Controls are both skillsets are required on major projectsThe pandemic has made it more difficult for apprentices to check their work with a colleagueOne of the main barriers to entry is a lack of promotion of what Project Controls actually is and that it is a viable career pathThere needs to be regular feedback and 1:1s with apprentices]Apprentice programmes offer a structure whilst giving people enough time to experience different scenarios on a project Tune in next week when we’re joined by Adam Robinson. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by:JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course)InEight - https://ineight.com/Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch<a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=Q
S4E91: The Art of Complex Change Management with Donnie MacNicol
October 17, 2021 • 01:35:52
In this week’s pod we welcomed Donnie MacNicol to talk about the art of complex change management. Donnie is the founder of Team Animation which works across multiple sectors energising leaders and teams delivering complex change to maximise value and certainty of success through a focus on the human dimension. Donnie acts as a catalyst to support organisations to improve their collaboration and productivity – aspects that will be critical to tackling the many challenges we face today including climate change and in particular in meeting the NetZero target. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: Change management is treated differently from Project Management. It should be regarded on an equal footing Project and Programme Managers should have a change management responsibility as part of their job description IMA can be used to structure conversation based on personality preference. This is similar to the Insights When companies do offsite meetings, they often discuss business issues during the morning and focus on people in the afternoon as it is seen as lighter and easier. This should be reversed Not enough people use tools such as Insights / IMA to understand the stakeholders when trying to understand complex projects When starting on a complex project, try to ingest as much knowledge as possible and seek to diagnose the key problems and root cause of failures. Be cynical when reviewing change projects. Who really stands to win or lose from the success of a change being implemented? Managers could implement a stakeholder map with a RAG status on who would benefit from the change being implemented The main learning point from people in project management has been cultural, getting managers and organisations to truly care about people and personality types. Models such as Insights, DISC and IMA have supported this The main reasons for change project failure are nonsense! It does not seek to ask why the reason for failure happened. Root cause, not symptom Consultancies are often the main beneficiary from project failure! Here are links to some of the topics that were discussed: IMA Model – Personality Types: http://ima-pm.co.uk/ Opiner - Video Research Resource: https://opiner.app/ ----------------------------------------- Join us next week when we’re joined by Jo Lucas to talk about rewilding organisation and minimal interference approach to change management. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by PlanAcademy.com Ineight.com JustDo.com Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! Dale and Val
S4E82: Why Good Project Planners are like Gold Dust with Sunchana Johnston
August 15, 2021 • 01:19:09
This episode it proudly brought to you by JustDo.com, PlanAcademy.com & InEight.com. In this week’s pod, we welcomed Sunchana Johnston. We discussed why good planners are like gold dust. Originally from Croatia, Sunchana is a Chartered Program Professional, with over 25 years of experience consulting on complex transformational initiatives such as Brexit Programs in the financial industry, Fintech, EMEA telecoms, water utilities and UK civil service. The main topics discussed on the podcast were: The best planners need to demonstrate a level of secrecy given the volume of information they see Effective planners are effective storytellers Focus on whether you believe a candidate has a high level of intuition when trying to fill planning vacancies A senior planner should be able to demonstrate management of a 40,000+ line schedule and how they were able to shape it It is important for planners do not own their schedules. They need to be able to quietly influence the actual owners The most effective storytellers when discussing Brexit showed the day in the life of a prawn from capture in Scotland to a restaurant in Spain Effective planners will look for the business case to understand why their project exists The ability to transition between industries often depends on the speed of change. IT/Finance industries are evolving constantly whereas construction and defence industries are shower to change Always be learning! People need to constantly improve their skillsets to make themselves more employable The best planners will know their worth in the market. Companies will pay well for the best employees therefore it is important not to undersell yourself AI is coming, this will change how planning works. The industry should embrace this Links discussed: Good Planners are like Gold Dust - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-project-planners-like-gold-dust-sunchana-johnston/ ----------------------------------------- Join us next week where we’re joined by Dave Snowden to discuss Project Management under conditions of inherent uncertainty. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! Dale and Val
S4E79: Why Schedule Quality Matters with Martin Murphy
July 25, 2021 • 01:33:29
On this week’s pod, we welcomed Martin Murphy to talk about why schedule quality really matters. Martin Murphy has more than 31 years of experience working with multinational companies and participating in high profile international projects, such as the Petronas Towers in Malaysia and the Panama Canal extension. He is a Director with Hill International in Spain, dealing especially with industrial, manufacturing and technological projects. Since 1992, he has been working as Project Manager and in the planning and project control departments of Spanish construction and consulting companies dealing with Claims and controlling time, cost and risk elements of projects in Spain, Europe and Latin America. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: · Projects should aim to focus as much planning work upfront as possible. This ensures you are not editing the schedule each week · Good schedules have a 3% chance of finishing on time · A good schedule is like watching a video rather than a photograph · Setting up the activity coding is more important than setting up the WBS · A properly coded schedule is critical to successful delivery. You would be surprised how many people do not use this function · Coding can really help with developing and leading the discussion on schedule metrics. · People should think of a plan as a database. It needs to be organised logically to retrieve the right information at the right time. A good planner can only manage 200 activities a month. Anything more detailed may lead to being overworked and potentially degrade the quality of the schedule · Absolute duration and float duration measurements can be misleading. Should be % of remaining duration · Quick wins for managing quality schedules: o Start-Start 0 should not exist! Laziness in planning o Review the length of lags. o Never, ever use negative lags o Should only use SS/FF to draw summary bars o Activities should have a maximum of a 2 to 3-week duration. The main themes for effective schedule quality metrics are: number of predecessor/successor activities, activities with high float (always lack of logic), coding · The concept of contingencies understood within the industry, however, clients will rarely accept having contingencies in schedule submissions · Rolling wave planning is not always the best approach. Particularly on projects with an element of repetition e.g. construction of a multi-storey building · Top tips for avoiding failure in dispute resolutions: - Need to “nurture” a schedule to maintain quality in claims disputes. Need to bring in actual performance even if it is not in the baseline. Do not be afraid to add in more detail - Do not tell lies in a schedule e.g premature completions of documents o Always present monthly/weekly reports. Even if it demonstrates poor performance. Some clients may not want to see it! - Ask if there are any claims in the weekly meetings. Knowledge is key! - Never combine more than one entity on the same activity (e.g. client and sub-contractor) - Ensure there is documentation to back up the schedule The planner should never assume ownership of the schedule. It must be owned by the project manager Resource loaded schedules can help to identify missing logic. If the histogram goes from horizontal to vertical, there is probably something missing! Here are links to some of the topics that were discussed: XER Toolkit – schedule quality software https://xertoolkit.com/ Synchro - https://www.bentley.com/en/products/brands/synchro ----------------------------------------- Join us next week where we’re joined again by Dr Dan Patterson, who will give us his insights into the future of project management technology. Be sure to download it! For more information, b Proudly Sponsored by: JustDo.Com InEight.Com PlanAcademy.Com
S3E72: Dealing with Organisational Change when implementing Project Systems with James Crowell
June 6, 2021 • 01:07:25
In this episode, Dale and Val talk about what it takes to effectively implement and a project management system, and more so how organisations need to adapt, adopt and grow with their chosen tool suite. Additionally, with so many tools out there, how to know when and what to implement. James Crowell shares his views all the way from Bangkok, Thailand. James is an Industry Consultant for Hexagon, based in Bangkok. In this role, James supports companies in their evaluation of EcoSys, Hexagon’s enterprise project performance software. He has a proven track record of working with leading project delivery companies to eliminate disparate spreadsheets and point solutions in favour of an enterprise project performance system that provides a consistent platform to standardize processes and boost project outcomes. James has international experience implementing the project management systems and holds a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, a master’s degree in Business, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com - save $75 on any course with this link - www.planacademy.com/chatter/ #projectmanagement #projectcontrols #projectplanning #projectriskmanagement #projectledaership
S3E68: Emphasising Fusion Skills on Projects with Anne Bamford & Steve Wake
May 9, 2021 • 01:13:10
In this episode, Dale and Val take Fusion to the next level with Anne Bamford and Steve Wake. A follow-on from episode 66, Val and Dale lift the hood and really understand how fusion skills, training, and inclusion could change the very success of projects. Professor Anne Bamford OBE is Strategic Director of the Education and Skills for the City of London. Anne has been recognized internationally for her research in creativity, lifelong learning, and technology. She instigated the term, ‘fusion skills’ to describe the competencies needed for flourishing now and into the future. Through her research, she has pursued issues of innovation, social impact and equality, and diversity. A world scholar for UNESCOs, Anne has conducted major national impact and evaluation studies for the governments of Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, Iceland, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Norway. Amongst her numerous articles and book chapters, Anne is the author of the “Wow Factor: Global research compendium on the impact of the arts in education” which has been published in five languages and distributed in more than 40 countries. Steve Wake is at the forefront of the development of national and international standards in Project Controls and Management. A genuine thought-leader. A super-connector. A maven. He is a member of the Management Standards committee of the BSi. Currently progressing Project Controls and Benefits Management. He is an internationally acknowledged expert on Earned Value Project Management.. Most recently on the newly published ISO standards for EVM and WBS, and currently he is working on an ISO EVM Implementation Guide. Steve works with government, national and international bodies and academia as a subject matter expert as well as on matters of governance. Steve was one of the authors of Agile Portfolios with ABC. With his Guild of Educators hat on he is working with OECD and the City of London to introduce Fusion Skills internationally to children aged 7-70+ He is also currently working on a Think-Thank for Major Sporting Events. In the afternoons he is championing Circular Economies and Sustainability to combat Climate Change. He has worked in the automotive, print aerospace, defence, insurance, and I.T. industries as a project manager and consultant. He led the Association for Project Management to their award of Royal Charter. He is the Chief examiner for EVM and Planning with APMG. He curates and chairs his own highly-regarded EVA conferences - now in its 25th year and also curates the PMI’s major Synergy event now in its 10th year. He is a visiting lecturer at Warwick WMG, Cranfield, and UCL as well as the Moscow School of Economics. He has an MA in Manpower specialising in the sociology and psychology of organisations and is a member of the London Mozart Players Development Group. His long passion for all kinds of music is almost matched by his continued appreciation of silence. Links: About Fusion Skills Fusion Assets Learn about Fusion Findings and Creative Outputs from Fusion Cities 2 virtual meeting Fusion Cities of the Future Fusion Event REGISTER HERE This podcast is brought to you by: JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com - save $75 on any course with this link - www.planacademy.com/chatter/
S3E65: Earned Schedule with creator Walter Lipke
April 19, 2021 • 01:17:41
In this episode, Dale and Val get into the geek speak, talking about an additional method to your Earned Value Management methodology. What you may not know is there is a time relative method called Earned Schedule. Val and Dale were fortunate to speak with the creator Walter Lipke and get his take on why this is a useful approach coupled with EVM and other methods to improve time adherence on projects. In this week’s pod, we welcomed Walt Lipke, creator of the Earned Schedule technique used by projects throughout the USA, UK and Australia. Walt has 35 years of experience in the avionics industry. As well as being the creator of Earned Schedule, he has published over ninety articles. In 2017 the Australian Project Governance and Control Symposium honoured Walt by establishing the annual Walt Lipke Project Governance and Control Excellence Award. For more information on how to use Earned Schedule, visit https://www.earnedschedule.com/ During the pod, we discussed the following topics: Earned Schedule (ES) is effectively an extension to Earned Value Management. The most important development in ES is its ability to more accurately determine the completion date for projects that are behind schedule (or will deliver later than planned.) ES uses Earned Value (EV) performance data to generate the time-based information and uses very similar calculations to predict future performance. Earned Schedule can be used to “drill down” to identify where deficiencies or constraints may exist and where future rework may be needed if current performance does not change. EVM has three different curves: Planned Value, Earned Value and Actual Cost. Once the Earned Value information has been established, you can use Earned Schedule to calculate when this should have been achieved. Earned Value needs to be in place in order to generate Earned Schedule data It is possible to derive calculated project end dates using ES. Different confidence levels can be used to support this. ES is still a new concept, it was created in 2002. This can lead to difficulties in embedding this in the project lifecycle as there is resistance to new concepts. Companies such as Project Flight Deck, Scrum Start, Encore Analytics and Project Tracker all have accessible toolsets to help calculate ES. The challenge of this is making it relevant to Project Managers. Many PM’s are familiar with showing progress against milestones and using ES can be seen as complex. Having visual aids to show progress can help in this regard. It is important to have the right level of data in order to use EVM/ES. Where there are major uncertainties in the project lifecycle such as software, it is useful to use EVM/ES in smaller parts of the project to get the right level of information. The most important criteria to the success or failure of EVM is integrity. It is possible to manipulate the data in all directions, therefore it is the role of the PMO to ensure data is transparent and audit-proof. There is a risk of hidden re-work if the schedule data is manipulated to avoid scrutiny. If you would like to read more about Earned Schedule, you can purchase Walt’s book from the following website: click here This podcast is brought to you by: JustDo.com InEight.com PlanAcademy.com - save $75 on any course with this link - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/