How to Lead Large Scale Infrastructure Projects Like A Pro

Key Concepts

• Program Initiation: The critical early phase of a major program that sets the foundation for long-term success.
• Stakeholder Ecosystem: The network of individuals, groups, and organizations with an interest in or influence on a project or program.
• Collaborative Delivery Models: Project delivery approaches, such as public-private partnerships (P3s) and alliancing, that emphasize shared risk, reward, and decision-making among stakeholders.
• Inreach vs. Outreach: Internal communication within a program team (inreach) versus external communication with stakeholders (outreach).
• Leadership in Project Management: The importance of leadership skills for project managers, particularly in complex programs with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Program Initiation: Setting the Stage for Success

• Importance of Early Planning: The speaker emphasizes that dedicating sufficient time and resources to program initiation is crucial for long-term success. This phase is often overlooked in favor of rushing into execution.
• Key Elements of Initiation:
  • Defining the vision, goals, and objectives of the program.
  • Aligning the program with the stakeholder ecosystem, including the owner/client, supply chain, and project management organization.
  • Establishing clear plans, processes, and policies to govern the program.
  • Defining a clear decision-making framework.
  • Ensuring that everyone on the program understands the framework.
• Analogy: The speaker uses the quote by Abe Lincoln, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe," to illustrate the importance of preparation.

Stakeholder Alignment: Creating a Shared Vision

• Clarity of Purpose: It's crucial for all stakeholders to have a clear understanding of the program's purpose and vision, and how it benefits them individually.
• Tactical Approaches:
  • Investing time in chartering and partnering activities upfront.
  • Prioritizing both internal (inreach) and external (outreach) communication.
• Inreach vs. Outreach: The speaker highlights the importance of internal communication within the program team, ensuring that everyone understands the program's goals and their role in achieving them.

Collaborative Delivery Models: Sharing Risk and Reward

• Trend Towards Collaboration: The market is moving towards collaborative delivery models like delivery partner models, CM@R, and alliancing.
• Key Principles:
  • Transparency in risk identification and management.
  • Equitable distribution of risks and incentives.
  • "Pain/gain share" mechanisms to align stakeholder interests.
• Benefits: Collaborative models foster innovation and provide more equitable ways to approach complex project situations.

Transitioning to Larger Projects: Advice for Project Managers

• Fundamentals Remain the Same: The core principles of project management (scoping, scheduling, risk management, stakeholder management) apply to both small and large projects.
• Increased Complexity: Larger projects involve greater complexity, specialized functions, and matrix organizational structures.
• Specialization: Project managers can prepare for larger projects by developing expertise in specific areas like risk management, commercial management, or controls.
• Program Management: Program management involves overseeing multiple projects or functions and requires strong cross-cutting skills.

PM Pitfalls: The Importance of Leadership

• Pitfall: Project managers often fail to fully appreciate and develop their leadership qualities.
• Solution:
  • Understand the role of a project manager as a leader of teams.
  • Delegate effectively and leverage the collective strength of the team.
  • Maintain a strategic view and focus on long-term goals.
• Strategic vs. Tactical: Project managers need to "drive at high beam," focusing on the big picture and long-term vision, while delegating tactical tasks to their team.
• Continuous Learning: The speaker emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and investing in leadership development.

Conclusion

The key takeaways from this discussion are the importance of thorough program initiation, stakeholder alignment, collaborative delivery models, and strong leadership skills for project managers. By focusing on these areas, project managers can increase their chances of success on complex, large-scale infrastructure programs.