The Project Chatter Podcast

The Project Chatter Podcast

By Dale Foong and Val MatthewsBusiness
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The Project Chatter Podcast episodes

  • S6E138: Managing the inhibitors to effective Project Controls with Dr Yakubu Olawale

    In this episode Dale and Val speak to Dr Yakubu about his research and book on the subject of inhibitors and enablers. This is a thought-provoking show, breaking down the various elements and factors that contribute to project failure and success. This episode is not one to be missed.

    Dr Yakubu Olawale is an Associate Director at KPMG UK Major Projects Advisory, where he consults, advises clients, provides assurance for boards, government, and leaders of organizations in relation to their capital projects, programmes, and infrastructure investments.

    He is also involved with due diligence reviews for organisations pursuing acquisition of project centric organisations as well as for lenders and banks in relation to their exposure to the capital projects of their corporate debtors.

    He is also a board member at Pioneer Group and possesses more than 20 years of experience across many sectors including involvement with many strategically important projects in the UK. He has held senior positions at FTSE 100 and 250 companies in the UK and was also a lecturer in project and commercial management at Aston university, UK. He is multi-qualified as a Project Manager, Chartered Accountant, Chartered Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Construction Manager, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

    He is passionate about project control and his research works have also been published in leading academic journals including International Journal of Project Management, Journal of Management in Engineering and international Journal of Project Organisation and Management.

    He is the author of Project Control Methods and Best Practices: Achieving Project Success.

    Proudly sponsored by:

     JustDo – https://www.justdo.com/
     InEight – https://ineight.com/

    Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!

    1 hr 13 min
  • S6E137: Is Quantity Surveying a Dying profession? & Alliance Contracts with Brendan Robinson

    In this week’s pod, we welcomed Brendan Robinson to discuss whether Quantity Surveying is a dying profession. We also discussed Alliance Contracts.Brendan is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Experienced Commercial Construction Professional. Brendan has worked for both Client and Main Contractor organisations for around 20 years. He recently joined a Construction Consultancy and specialises in Post Contract but has also had some experience in the Pre-Contract Stages of Construction Contracts. He has generally focused on Infrastructure Projects and specifically rail related projects over the last 15 years.He studied in and is originally from Cape Town, South Africa. He is a graduate of the Construction Law and Dispute Resolution Masters Programme at Kings College and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.He supports and works with tertiary education providers, most recently Universities, mentoring across Quantity Surveying and Contract Law courses and apprenticeships. He is passionate about Quantity Surveying and feels privileged to have supported and sponsored the Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship at Transport for London for around 5 years - 5 Cohorts and around 72 Apprentices on the programme. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:

    • Quantity Surveyors are primarily focused on the cost and contractual side of contracts projects
    • NEC has the most well known form of Alliance Contract. It is a relatively modern concept where all parties have a shared goal. It seeks to align goals between partners
    • An Alliance contract generally sets out how to behave with other parties during the set-up phase
    • The main changes over the last 20 years are around technological improvements in communication between clients / contractors
    • The level of record keeping has also improved in the last decade due to technology. Turnstiles and gates allow projects the monitor the volume of staff on site. This has led to it being a more paperwork heavy role
    • Microsoft Excel is a helpful tool for QS’ but it is not essential. You cannot negotiate a variation on Excel!
    • Delay damages are rarely successful on construction projects despite the effort in pursuing them

      • 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!

      1 hr 3 min
    • S6E136: Why Leadership is an Important Skill for Project Controls with Georgie Alderson-Slater & Vikki Rooney

      In this week’s pod, we welcomed Georgie Alderson-Slater and Vikki Rooney to discuss why Project Controllers struggle to lead. Georgie is a Director for GeoVic Limited, a project controls training and development company that centers on PMO Transformation. She has 20 years of experience in Project Controls, Contract Management, Relationship Building & Management, and Effecting Change. Her background is in Oil and Gas, Defence & Nuclear. Vikki is a Project Controls professional with more than 15 years of experience in Planning and Project Controls. Vikki is passionate about Project Controls as a profession and firmly advocates professionalism and a pride in the work that we do to support successful project delivery.The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:

      • The definition of project controls ultimately depends on the organization in which it is being used
      • Integrity is the most important skill set for someone working in project controls
      • Aim to challenge your stakeholders but in a personable manner – even in job interviews
      • When looking for leaders, try to identify if people are “paying it forward” and sharing knowledge with team members
      • You will gain followers over time as a leader, however, you should always start by being empathetic
      • Do we focus more on leadership than “followership”?
      • Early careers staff should try to focus on the detail and take advantage of their role by asking lots of questions
      • Take charge of your personal development – apply the learning
      • On-the-job learning is the best way to enhance both soft and technical teams
      • Organisational culture comes from the top of the business. You can’t expect it to change from the middle downwards

        • 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!

        1 hr 25 min
      • S6E135: Embodied Carbon and Transformation with James Bowles and Jo Lucas
        In this episode, Dale and Val talk to James and Jo about Zero and the embodied carbon movement to reduce the negative carbon impact the construction industry is having on the current and future climate. The ZERO mission is to create a new construction industry culture, that continuously measures and manages carbon through all project stages. It is critical that as an industry we unite and work together to solve our planet’s greatest problems and make sustainability of equal importance as cost, time and safety on every project.
        James has a mix of experience in engineering, construction and project delivery. He founded Freeform, a 4D modelling consultancy in 2010 and now runs "ZERO" a fast-growing carbon-focussed industry group.James has a mix of experience in engineering, construction and project delivery. He founded Freeform, a 4D modelling consultancy in 2010 and now runs "ZERO" a fast-growing carbon-focussed industry group.
        Jo has over 20 years of experience in delivering change within and between large and complex organisations, including TfL, HS2 Ltd., UCL, BAA, ODA and Network Rail. She started her career as a civil/structural engineer with Arup building bridges and likes to see the work she now does as building bridges of a different kind; those between teams and organisations.
        You can find more information here: https://www.zeroconstruct.com/
        Proudly sponsored by:
        JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/
        InEight - https://ineight.com/
        Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it!
        1 hr 16 min
      • S6E134: Does AI & Machine Learning really make a difference with Alan Mosca
        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:
        1 hr 36 min
      • S6E133: Why construction software sucks with Jason Lancini

        In this episode, Dale speaks with Jason Lancini about why construction software sucks!

        Jason chooses a very provocative title to make his case for user-centric software development in construction project management.

        Jason is COO and leads the product team and operations at Aphex. As a former construction project manager and engineer, and a former, former construction labourer he is passionate about building construction software that is actually great to use for the end user.

        The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:

        • Software should be able to help us churn information faster, pull information together quicker and turning data into meaningful information that can be used to make decisions
        • Software is usually procured top down which means it is mandated on end users rather than being tailored to their needs
        • The best time to try new software is at the start of a project when the procedural documents are being written
        • Planning software may have the official project plan but it may not have all the unofficial plans e.g. the engineering lookahead. Consider if you are seeing the full picture
        • Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality is more likely to be adopted on consumer products before it is used on construction products

          • Tune in next time when we’re joined by Alan Mosca to discuss whether AI & Machine Learning really makes a difference?

          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!

          #ProjectManagementSoftware #Planning #ProjectControls

          1 hr 3 min
        • S6E132: Best Value Performance Management and Palms Up Approaches with Richard Plumery

          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/

          1 hr 7 min
        • S6E131: Ninja Moves on Projects with Dr Tammy Watchorn

          In this episode Dale and Val talk with Dr Tammy Watchorn about change management approaches in Tammy's Ninja Moves book release this week https://www.amazon.com/Change-Ninja-Handbook-interactive-adventure/dp/1788603702 

          Dr Tammy Watchorn trained as a scientist before moving into the complex landscape of healthcare to lead change.

          After some slow starts she began to realise that her hard-won accreditation in the process of change leadership was meaningless: the only way to achieve success was to focus on people. By understanding those involved in change as individuals, not ‘stakeholders’, she developed a pragmatic way of making progress by stealth using ‘ninja’ moves. Her own neuro-atypical approach allows her to see things differently, to look at the whole rather than the parts, and to help others to see things differently too. There’s no accreditation or one-size-fits-all process for Change Ninjas but there is now, at least, a handbook.

          Tammy shares her stories and her approach to leading change widely on social media and in national media and industry publications. She’s also a regular keynote speaker at conferences.

          Proudly sponsored by:

           JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/
           InEight - https://ineight.com/

          1 hr 7 min
        • S6E130: Digital Engineering in Construction, Why It Matters with Mathilde Roubille

          In this week’s pod, we welcomed Mathilde Roubille to talk about Digital Engineering in Construction.

          Mathilde is a consultant with strong experience in embedding digital engineering (including BIM and Information Management) in large infrastructure projects. Coming from a structural engineering background, she leverages her technical experience on major projects (Riyadh Metro and Doha Metro in the Middle East) to enable a deep understanding of program and project delivery in complex environments.
          She is enthusiastic about making better use of data and information available at program and project levels to deliver better outcomes to the client and enable reliable data-driven decision making.
          Don't get her started on BIM, Information Management or Digital Engineering otherwise she might never stop talking! The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:

          • There is no standard definition of digital engineering. Essentially it is trying to leverage information, data and technology to enable better decision making
          • Digital engineers should ideally be linked to PMO or Project Controls in an organisation structure. This allows for better synergies
          • There is not currently a degree / major in digital engineering
          • It is important to understand the concepts of ISO19650 when implementing digital engineering
          • There are close links with change management. This requires a focus on soft skills to help to enable transitions
          • Digital engineering should be a team rather than an individual skillset
          • Many projects are reluctant to implement digital engineering capability due to time constraints
          • The main industry trends are around digital twin, smart cities and sustainability.
          • In order to be successful, there needs to be a greater focus on benefit realization and sustainability – consider the whole project lifecycle
          • There are professional qualifications for BIM which is helping to professionalise the industry
          • Visualisation and interactivity of data and information are key to the future success of digital engineering on major projects
          • Many surveying companies are reluctant to share information due to fear of losing commercial advantage. This has led to inefficiencies when re-surveys are required
          • The best way to get into digital engineering is to focus on streamlining existing processes on projects

            • Here are links to a some of the topics we discussed:

            • ISO19650 BIM - https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/iso-19650-BIM/
            • BIM Community of Practice - https://bim.ie/about/our-board-members/
            • B1M - https://www.theb1m.com/

              • Tune in next time when we’re joined by Tammy Watchorn to discuss ninja moves on 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/
               InEight - https://ineight.com/

              1 hr 6 min
            • S6E129: Takt Planning on Construction Projects with Spencer Easton
              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!
              1 hr 16 min

            About The Project Chatter Podcast

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            Welcome to Project Chatter,  the podcast where project professionals, specialists and experts from various sectors talk about the latest trends in project management and PMO. Listen to Val and…