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Most capital projects do not fail during execution.
They fail when early approvals accept uncertainty that later becomes unmanageable.

In this long-cut episode of The Risky Planner Podcast, Nate Habermeyer and Albert Brier revisit well-known megaprojects to examine what information was available at the start, what risks were visible, and what teams and executive sponsors could reasonably have challenged before work began.

The discussion covers projects that were large, complex, and governed by formal PMOs. Many ultimately delivered assets now considered successful in operation. All experienced severe cost growth and schedule delay.

Key themes include:

Why early estimates systematically understate cost and duration

How optimism bias shows up in capital project approvals

What “first-of-a-kind” risk really looks like in practice

Why some risks exist in registers but still go underpriced

What executive sponsors should ask at the first decision gate

This episode is relevant for executive sponsors, PMO leaders, and project controls professionals working in regulated, multi-stakeholder environments where early decisions carry long-term consequences.

Listen to understand where leverage actually exists—and why it is highest before construction starts.

Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.com

The Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.