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In this episode of The Risky Planner, Nate Habermeyer talks to Albert Brier, who is live from Dubai, where he's leading the setup of a PMO for one of the most ambitious real estate developments in the world. ThSey explore how digital transformation is redefining project management in MENA, with a strong focus on project controls, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management. Albert shares insights on building high-functioning PMOs that move beyond reporting to drive real business value—by staying relevant, flexible, and deeply connected to execution.

They dive into:

• The difference between project management and project controls—and why scale matters
• How business analysts and data maturity play a pivotal role in complex, multi-stakeholder programs
• Common pitfalls in PMO implementations (like building systems no one uses)
• The balance between standardization and customization in PMO frameworks
• Real-world examples of change management, cost control, and joint venture governance structures

Whether you're a director, manager, or business analyst overseeing large capital projects, this episode delivers practical lessons on aligning PMOs with outcomes that matter.

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.

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In this episode of the Risky Planner Podcast, hosts Nate and Albert reunite after Albert's travels to Dubai to discuss the impact of Trump's recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. They explore how these tariffs affect capital projects across various industries, particularly construction and energy infrastructure. Albert provides context about the evolution of tariff threats from earlier blanket proposals targeting countries like Canada and Mexico to the current focus on specific materials. The hosts examine how these tariffs create uncertainty in project planning, potentially causing issues with locked-in pricing, contractor insolvency risks, and the need to recalculate cost estimates. They also discuss alternative construction approaches, such as using cross-laminated timber, that might gain popularity as organizations look to mitigate rising steel costs. Tune in at www.riskyplanner.com to learn how project leaders can navigate this uncertain landscape in capital project management.

Here are the key takeaways from the podcast episode:

• Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports affecting all countries
• These tariffs create significant uncertainty for capital projects that rely on these materials
• Projects with locked-in pricing may face contractor change orders or supplier insolvency risks
• Cost estimators will need to revise budgets since current pricing databases don't account for these tariffs
• Energy sector projects (data centers, grid infrastructure, renewable energy) face particular challenges as demand grows
• Alternative materials like cross-laminated timber may see increased adoption as organizations seek alternatives
• Organizations face difficult decisions: absorb costs, delay projects, or seek alternative construction methods
• Long-term capital planning (5-15 years) becomes more complicated with unpredictable material costs
• Project leaders should keep options open and consider alternative ways to achieve project goals
• The uncertainty may drive innovation in construction and infrastructure development

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.

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In this episode of the Risky Planner Podcast, hosts Nate and Albert kick off the new year with reflections on the post-holidays and how AI is reshaping careers in project management and risk analysis.

Key Discussion Points:

• AI as a Force Multiplier: Albert shares his experience using AI tools over the break, discussing how AI is transforming professionals from single-discipline experts to multi-faceted problem-solvers.
• The Evolution of AI in Project Management: They explore the growing integration of AI in project controls, forecasting, and risk management, highlighting how large language models (LLMs) are just the tip of the iceberg.
• AI Tools for Productivity: The hosts compare tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude, emphasizing the need for professionals to experiment with AI to maximize efficiency.
• AI and Job Security: Addressing concerns about job displacement, they argue that AI isn't replacing jobs—it’s the people who effectively leverage AI that are becoming more competitive.
• Current Gaps in AI for Project Controls: While AI is being integrated into platforms like Jira, Trello, and Asana, there’s still a lack of AI-driven forecasting tools specifically tailored for capital projects.
• Real-World Use Cases: Albert breaks down how AI can help project professionals with data-driven forecasting, historical trend analysis, and automated risk identification.
• Security Considerations: The conversation highlights the importance of secure AI tools, particularly for industries dealing with sensitive data, such as nuclear energy and large capital projects.
• Best Practices for AI Adoption: Nate and Albert emphasize treating AI as a support tool rather than a content generator, using it for brainstorming, refining ideas, and improving workflows.

What Listeners Will Learn:

• How AI is influencing project management, risk assessment, and productivity.
• The importance of data security when using AI tools.
• Practical ways to integrate AI into forecasting and risk management.
• Why professionals who learn to use AI effectively will have a career advantage.
• Insights into the evolving landscape of AI-enabled project management tools.

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.

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In this episode of The Risky Planner Podcast, we dive into the explosive growth of data centers, the energy demands of AI, and how project managers can navigate the complexities of cost control, risk mitigation, and scalability. We explore the "Design One, Build Many" model, investor perspectives on infrastructure risk, and the evolving landscape of AI-powered automation in construction and project management.

Join us as we discuss how capital projects in the data center industry are pushing the boundaries of engineering, sustainability, and financial forecasting—while reshaping the future of project management.

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.

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In this episode, Albert and Nate dive into the world of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—what they are, why they matter, and how they could reshape the nuclear energy landscape. They unpack the latest headlines, from Trump's energy policy and SaskNuclear’s ambitious plans to the delays and hurdles facing SMR projects worldwide.

Listeners will learn:
✅ What makes SMRs a game-changer in energy production
✅ Why no SMRs are in commercial use yet and the roadblocks they face
✅ How regulations, costs, and politics impact nuclear power adoption
✅ A hypothetical roadmap for Saskatchewan to meet its 2029 SMR deployment goal

Plus, Albert shares key advice for navigating the challenges of nuclear energy adoption. Don’t miss this insightful, entertaining, and slightly irreverent take on one of the most debated topics in energy today!

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.

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In this episode of The Risky Planner Podcast, Albert and Nate take you inside MINExpo, the largest mining technology expo in the world, where massive, cutting-edge machinery meets the future of electrification and automation. They share their firsthand experiences with autonomous haul trucks, electric shovels, and mining's shift towards sustainability—all while injecting their signature humor (and a few childhood stories).

Listeners will learn:
✅ How mining tech is evolving—from Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Liebherr's electrification strategies to fully automated haul trucks
✅ The risks of mining automation—from maintenance challenges to supply chain vulnerabilities
✅ Why electrification is a game-changer for mine sites and how it impacts operational risk
✅ What global and systemic risks mean for mining and major capital projects

Whether you're a mining professional, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the future of heavy industry, this episode will entertain, inform, and maybe make you want to visit "Mining Disneyland" yourself! 🎢 ⛏️

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.

Send us a text

We’re excited to launch The Risky Planner, a podcast for people who work in capital projects and know how chaotic and high-stakes it can be.

This show is for project managers, project controls professionals, risk leaders, and executives. It's for the professionals tired of seeing the same failures repeat on projects with unrealistic budgets, impossible schedules, no real risk visibility. We’ve seen it all, and we’re here to talk about it.

What the Podcast Covers

Each episode explores a challenge in project planning, delivery, or risk within the context of something timely. We share stories from real projects, offer practical advice, and discuss what actually works. The format is conversational, grounded in experience, and focused on what matters most in capital project success.

Who Should Listen

If you work on or oversee capital projects, this podcast is designed for you. That includes PMO leaders, PMs, project controls specialists, and executive sponsors. Even if you're not one of those people, we break down projects so you will learn how big things get built and why they don't.

What You Can Expect

• Honest conversations about what works and what doesn’t
• Real examples from large, complex projects
• Topics like AI, data centers, PMO design, risk tools, and change management
• 30 to 40 minute episodes with a clear takeaway
• A mix of practical insight and a few laughs - we're funny guys!

We’re here to have real conversations about real problems and what to do about them.

Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app or visit riskyplanner.com to listen.

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.