The Project Chatter Podcast

By Dale Foong and Val MatthewsBusiness

The Project Chatter Podcast episodes

April 17, 2023S7E158: Planning Projects: Past, Present & Future with Micah Piippo
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Micah Piippo to discuss Planning Projects: Past, Present & Future.
Micah has spent the last 14 years in Project Controls. While he's performed a wide variety of roles, his passion and main focus is Planning and Scheduling. During his career he's tore down nuclear facilities, built large ferries, built data centers all over the world and more recently is helping Intel deliver state of the art fab capabilities.
In December 2022, Micah started writing his Zero Float newsletter. In the newsletter Micah explores his favorite topics that he doesn't see getting enough attention.
The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:
Whilst there are certifications available for schedulers. There is no degree programme that would allow students to learn the fundamentals of construction management, people management, how to use data and learning the project ecosystem. Most planners simply fall into the role

The consequence of the lack of certification is a lack of respect for the skills that a good planner can bring to the organization by utilizing their experience

A top level planner should have a breadth of experience as well as strong communication skills when dealing upwards and sideways within an organization

Technology can help planners and project managers by having finite and usable as-built data

Automated capture has helped companies to better define progress and productivity on projects. This was previously a highly subjective area

There is a danger that Machine Learning / AI does not capture some of the politics around project schedules. This may affect the quality of data in future

There is no mandate for government funded projects to share data despite being funded by taxpayers. This hampers the level of data available to be harnessed by machine learning technology
Here are links to some of the topics we discussed:
Problems with Construction Project Scheduling - https://www.plannersplace.com/blog/problems-with-construction-projects-scheduling

Why Construction Scheduling is Stuck in the 1980s - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-construction-scheduling-stuck-1980s-micah-piippo/

Plan Rich – How to become a Senior Scheduler - https://planrich.beehiiv.com/p/beginner-winner
Join us next time when we’re joined by Parveen Sharma to discuss BIM and Virtual Design - disrupting the Design and Construction industry.
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 #AI
Planners' Place
Problems with Construction Projects Scheduling
Ever wondered why it seems that not much has changed in construction projects scheduling in the last two to three decades? According to Micah Piippo, the poor state of construction projects schedules can be attributed to the six problems he sees with scheduling.
linkedin.com
Why Construction Scheduling is Stuck in the 1980s
TL;DR – The construction industry should be embracing the power of technology to help schedulers build accurate and sophisticated project schedules. Unfortunately, the lack of innovation and motivation has left the construction field decades behind other industries.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-construction-scheduling-stuck-1980s-micah-piippo/
Plan Rich
Beginner to Winner
Learn, grow, and get rich with a career in Construction Scheduling. (70 kB)
https://planrich.beehiiv.com/p/beginner-winner
InEight
InEight Construction Project Management Software
InEight is the leader in construction project management software. Our project management solutions give you the data you need to make better decisions. (422 kB)
1 hr 14 min
April 06, 2023 S7E157:Streamlining Operations with Agile Controls: The Key to Business-As-Usual Performance with Ellen Mellington
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Ellen Mellington to discuss Streamlining Operations with Agile Controls: The Key to Business-As-Usual Performance.
As a transformation and governance leader Ellen has delivered change portfolios and major projects in transport, healthcare and environment sectors. Having direct exposure to the challenges faced financially, culturally and commercially in delivering Public Services she has applied the right blend of governance and controls to achieve integration and collaboration.
The aspect that she enjoys the most is supporting businesses to design successful operating models by connecting the dots between people, process, organisation and technology.
The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:
- Agile processes are applicable to all projects, not just IT projects
- Using waterfall processes can limit innovation within businesses
- The main challenge around implementing agile controls is convincing businesses that Project Controls are a core function and not an optional extra
- One of the challenges in convincing business leaders to adopt an agile mentality is that they are too reactive to change
- Every organization should have a change management function
Join us next time when we’re joined by Micah Piippo to discuss Planning Projects: Past, Present & Future
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 #Culture
1 hr 11 min
March 25, 2023S7E156: Navigating the Project Control Landscape: A Journey Through the Decades and Beyond with Shane Forth
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Shane Forth to discuss Navigating the Project Control Landscape: A Journey Through the Decades and Beyond.
Shane’s project controls career began on Phillips Petroleum Teesside Oil Terminal, a 1970s mega-project. Aged 20, he learnt the fundamentals of scheduling using manual techniques. Career progression followed with three further mega-projects worth tens of billions of pounds in today’s terms. This was interspersed with UK construction projects for leading mechanical contractors.
In 1992, as Planning Manager for a major EPC contractor, he quickly learned two important lessons. His enthusiasm to introduce effective project controls integrating cost and schedule was out of step with senior management and a discovery of a skills gap and shortage of project controls resource.
His industry leadership, uniting groups and individuals to create project controls standards, occupational certifications, career paths, competency frameworks, higher professional recognition, and especially apprenticeship programmes, may Shane’s my most enduring legacy.
The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:
The main evolutions in Project Controls are a realization around the importance of data to major projects and having a dedicated resource pool

Ask the right questions, get the right answers

When delivering bad news as a Project Controller, always try to de-personalise the updates

Project Controllers should aim to engage the experts if they are not sure on a subject

New starters to the Project Controls function should try to work on their literacy and presentational skills as these are two key competencies that will be used throughout your career

Project Controls is now seen as a core function and not just an optional extra on major projects
Here are links to some of the topics we discussed:
Human Resource Skills for the Project Manager: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1880410419/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Handbook of People in Project Management: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/140943785X?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_thcv_0&storeType=ebooks&asin=140943785X&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
Join us next time when we’re joined by Ellen Mellington to discuss Streamlining Operations with Agile Controls: The Key to Business-As-Usual Performance.
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/
1 hr 18 min
March 06, 2023S7E155: Project Controls and Systems Thinking on Heavy Rail with Hezron Ricketts
In this week’s pod, we were re-joined by Hezron Ricketts to discuss Box to Box: the 'Black' boxes of Controls and Systems.
Director of PMO Services at CPC Project Services, Hezron has 19 years working in Projects and Programmes as well as building a consultancy business and business units.
Working across the construction, rail, defence to name a few, he enjoys the challenge of delivery and the importance of setting up projects and organisations for success.
Hezron has a passion for bringing technological and cultural change in addition to improving diversity within the project profession.
The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:
The annual timetabling of trains is more complex than people give it credit for due to the number of competing priorities to maintain and upgrade existing assets

Railway systems need to be engaged up to 20 years before a new train system goes live

The building and maintenance of a railway system forms part of an overall national strategy. The new High Speed Rail line in the UK is about freight and capacity as well as improving journey times.

Railways are cheaper to maintain than roads although rail asset maintenance costs increase every year the asset diminishes

In countries like Australia, it has become easier to create flight paths instead of high speed rail because of the geographical considerations of the country where the majority of people live near the coast

The testing and commissioning phase of major rail projects can rarely be shortened. Projects often try to shorten this when the earlier stages start to become delayed.

Major rail projects are often backwards looking in their management reporting. There needs to be a step change to use forward looking indicators
Join us next time when we’re joined by Shane Forth to discuss Navigating the Project Control Landscape: A Journey Through the Decades and Beyond.
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
1 hr 14 min
February 19, 2023 S7E154: EQ, IQ, and MQ: Unlocking Essential Skills with ACostE President Christine McLean
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Christine McLean to discuss EQ, IQ, and MQ: Unlocking the Power of Softer Skills
Christine is the newly elected president of the ACostE, the professional home for project controls. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the utilities, oil and gas and nuclear sectors. She gained her fellowship in 2018 and is a certified cost engineer.
Two years ago she transitioned from working in Project Controls to teaching Project Controls and wrote the first Academic Certificate in Project Controls in the US, which can now be taken as part of university studies.
She is also a route panel member for IFATE, RQF Assessor, End Point assessment assessor and governor of her daughter's school.
The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:
There are currently 1,700 members of ACostE. Short term goal is to promote diversity within the industry
Schools generally teach students to pass exams rather than focusing on communication skills which are essential for success in the workplace
Exam results are not the best way of assessing someone’s capability for a role
MQ – Motivation Quotium
Seek feedback – always ask trusted friends and family to provide honest feedback
Whilst you can train yourself to improve your Emotional Intelligence, it should be done in an authentic way. If you are unsure how someone is feeling, just ask them
It is more common to be motivated by development and wanting to change the world
Many Gen Z employees are motivated by wanting to make a difference to the world but do not know how to go about this
Here are links to some of the topics we discussed:
ACostE - https://acoste.org.uk/node/1
Join us next time when we’re re-joined by Hezron Ricketts to discuss Box to Box: the 'Black' boxes of Controls and Systems.
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!
1 hr 13 min
February 05, 2023S7E153: AI in Project Controls: Separating Fact from Fiction with Alan Mosca
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!
1 hr 6 min
January 23, 2023 S7E152: Maximising efficiency with NEC cross-functional processes with Jordan Cannon & Jeff Quantrill
Welcome to this week's episode of the Project Chatter Podcast! In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeff Quantrill and Jordan Cannon to discuss how to maximise efficiency with NEC cross-functional processes.
Jeff brings 15 years of experience in enterprise IT services with IBM, and has recently delved into the AEC sector with PM Information Systems. He has a wealth of experience delivering systems for major projects, including a UK airport expansion and three giga-projects in Saudi Arabia. Most recently, he completed an implementation on the Amaala giga-project and joined InEight in February 2022.
Jordan, a graduate of Civil Engineering, has been working in the construction industry for over a decade. He began his career as a field engineer on power plants and has since evolved his role into the process improvement technology space. He currently works for InEight as the EMEA Presales Team Manager. His background in construction and passion for technology drive his success in this field.
During the podcast, we delved into several key topics, such as the amount of re-work on projects, the siloed nature of early warning notices, and the role of AI in construction projects. We discussed how AI can help with scope analysis, schedule management, and creating a Work Breakdown Structure. We also touched on the importance of collaborative toolsets and the evolving role of planners.
If you're interested in learning more about these topics, be sure to check out the links provided in the show notes. And don't forget to tune in next week when we'll be re-joined by Alan Mosca to discuss AI in Project Controls and separating fact from fiction.
To support our podcast and charities, visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com. If you're interested in sponsoring the podcast, please get in touch through our website. And, as always, stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it!
A special shoutout to our sponsors JustDo and InEight for their support. Check out their websites at https://www.justdo.com/ and https://ineight.com/.
1 hr 39 min
January 09, 2023 S7E151: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence and Stress management with Susanne Madsen
In this episode Dale and Val talk with Susanne Madsen about the value of leadership, the skills and tactics for successful emotional intelligence, as well as how to navigate stress in the post COVID project environment.
Susanne Madsen is an internationally recognised leadership coach and mentor for project and change managers. She has partnered and founded the Project Leadership Institute, which runs leadership programmes to help project managers become better leaders in the workplace.
During her career, Susanne has worked with many high-profile companies such as JP Morgan, Citigroup, Philips, BAM and NXP to name just a few. She is a fully qualified Corporate and Executive coach, an NLP Practitioner, DISC accredited and a regular contributor to the Association for Project Management (APM)
Susanne is the award-winning author of The Power of Project Leadership, which is now in its second edition. It has been translated to Chinese and Polish and has been described as "a must-read for everyone in the project world".
In addition, Susanne is a popular key note speaker on the topic of leadership, emotional intelligence and stress management.
proudly sponsored by:
InEight.com
1 hr 15 min
December 30, 2022S6E150: Project Controls in Design & Engineering stages with Paul Waskett
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
1 hr 12 min
December 27, 2022S6E149: Five Levers for Change with Tony Welch
In this week’s pod, we were joined by Tony Welch to discuss the five levers for change.
Following a career in the Royal Navy, Tony has had a wide and varied career in industry, rooted in project controls, assurance and programme management. He has operated at the senior executive level and has a track record of business/programme turnarounds, transformational change and performance improvement. Military and civilian careers have provided business, profit and loss and programme management experience in defence and aerospace, information technology/systems and transportation.
The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows:
Five Levers for change
Lever 1: Anticipation and continuity

Lever 2: Empowering to deliver

Lever 3: Supporting teams

Lever 4: Transversal learning

Lever 5: Attracting and recognising

Businesses are more open to changing their ways of working following the pandemic. People are also working more flexibly which is enabling internal mobility within organisations

Anticipating learning and development needs is difficult when trying to implement training across a multi-national organization. It is important to work with Project Management associations and assess competencies across an industry benchmark

Peer reviews of projects from a technical and project management perspective should take place throughout the project life-cycle as opposed to only being performed when a project is in difficulty

Operational leadership is about creating an environment that is challenging but supportive

Task, team, organization – people work for people not organisations
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
1 hr 25 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…

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About The Project Chatter Podcast