In this episode of Inspiring People & Places, BJ Kraemer welcomes back Michael Fuhrman, founder of MCFA, and Brian Pieplow, Chief Project Development Officer, to discuss their upcoming book, Make No Little Plans: A Project Development Approach to Building Infrastructure. 

Together, they share insights on the importance of big-picture thinking in public infrastructure projects and emphasize the necessity of having agency champions to drive critical initiatives forward. From lessons in planning as project development to the perseverance required in the infrastructure field, they highlight key stories and case studies that underscore the book's theme.

Key Points from This Episode:

• Planning as Project Development: Michael and Brian explain their Discover, Navigate, Accelerate (DNA) process, a method to guide projects through complex obstacles to successful execution.
• Agency Champions: They dive into the traits of agency champions, emphasizing servant leadership, mission-focused perseverance, and critical thinking as essential for navigating bureaucracy and getting big projects done.
• Real-World Case Studies: They recount inspiring stories, such as the master planning for Arlington National Cemetery and resilience planning for the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, demonstrating the impact of long-term vision and public service.
• The Importance of Public Infrastructure Investment: Discussion of current infrastructure challenges in the U.S. and why investment is critical to ensure functionality and connectivity for future generations.

Quotes from the Episode:
“Every project will die a thousand deaths along its journey. What defines an agency champion is the perseverance to see it through.” — Brian Pieplow
“Make no small plans. Go big or go home, because big projects inspire bigger outcomes.” — Michael Fuhrman
“Infrastructure is what made this country what it is today. It's not a one-and-done effort. We need resilient, redundant systems to keep moving forward.” — BJ Kraemer

Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Michael Fuhrman on LinkedIn
Brian Pieplow on LinkedIn
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Small Business Conference
MCFA Careers
Inspiring People & Places Podcast
BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn