Beyond The Plan

Ali Farhoodi

If you work in major infrastructure projects - whether in government or the private sector - then this series is for you.  Host, Ali Farhoodi, is joined by seasoned project managers who share their insights on successful project management strategies, and behind the scenes stories on projects like Sydney Metro, Sydney Light Rail and the Lane Cove Tunnel. Ali is the Director of EDSICO Management, a boutique, independent, Australian-owned consultancy that provides a range of services to Australian Government agencies and the private sector across all aspects of Project Management and Project Services.

  1. Jul 14

    How Collaborative Working Saves Projects | Project Management | Ep. 15

    From concept to delivery, we bring proven expertise to advance your project. Let's start the conversation: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/ ----- What if the biggest threat to your infrastructure project isn't the budget, the timeline, or the scope, but the relationships? In this episode, Brett Ackroyd, a commercial lawyer with 25+ years inside some of Australia's most complex defence and government projects, joins us to unpack why most project failures start after the contract is signed. Brett breaks down collaborative working as a business discipline, the ISO 44001 standard most people in the industry have never heard of, and what elite delivery teams are doing differently to manage complexity at scale. We dive into why a collaborative culture means people acting beyond their own contractual boundaries to solve problems, how to build that culture so it's systemic, intentional, and enduring (not dependent on personal relationships that disappear when people change roles), and why traditional contract-first thinking can actually work against the outcome it was designed to protect. If you manage projects, manage risk, or are tired of silos and blame-shifting in delivery, this episode will change how you think about business relationships for good. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ali.farhoodi ----- CONNECT WITH US Website: https://edsico.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro/Hook 01:38 Introduction of Brett Ackroyd — background and experience 04:39 What is collaborative working, by definition? 08:05 The three pillars: systemic, intentional, scalable 10:08 The ISO 44001 standard explained 11:09 Why personal relationships alone make culture fragile 17:11 Win-win vs acting to your own detriment 20:00 Real example: resolving a shipbuilding project error without the contract 23:51 The cost of a claims-first culture in Australian construction 25:00 Why collaborative teams are the best problem-solving machine 30:38 Predictability, productivity, and the Scottish Water case study 41:58 Step one: defining your team's values and behaviours 44:00 Leadership as the champion of collaborative culture 46:14 Building competent, empowered, engaged teams 47:46 Incentives, consequences, and having the right people on board 50:28 When organisations can't fully collaborate — lessons from Defence 55:10 Collaborative working advocates 58:00 Why process alone isn't enough 1:06:36 What's next for collaborative working in Australia 1:17:01 Book recommendations 1:17:48 Conclusion/Outro DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

  2. Jun 23

    Your Project Didn't Fail. Your Governance Did. | Ep. 14

    From concept to delivery, we bring proven expertise to advance your project. Let's start the conversation: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/ ----- In this episode, we're joined by Isabelle Gray-Garraway, a governance specialist with 25 years in project delivery across defence, the NSW public sector, and major government programmes including a $200 million rolling programme at Transport for New South Wales. Isabelle has worked in the audit trenches, operated at executive level, and actively advocated for governance change from the inside, achieving it with real results. She breaks down what governance actually is, what it absolutely is not (hint: it's not committees, it's not minutes, and it's definitely not theatre), and takes us through two of Australia's most significant public sector failures, Robodebt and the Queensland Health Payroll Programme, to show exactly what governance failure looks like in practice and what it costs. If you lead projects, sit on steering committees, or are responsible for delivering major outcomes, this episode will change how you think about where accountability really lives. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@edsicomgt ----- CONNECT WITH US Website: https://edsico.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro/Hook 01:58 Introduction of Isabelle Gray-Garraway 07:03 What is governance, and what it's not 11:07 Robodebt: A case study in governance failure 21:18 Why governance has a bad name 32:52 Queensland Health Payroll: Another governance disaster 41:16 Why governance frameworks become ineffective 46:34 The bravery it takes to challenge governance from within 49:23 Human nature, executive inertia, and governance stagnation DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

  3. May 19

    The Human Skills That Make or Break a Project Manager | Ep. 13

    From concept to delivery, we bring proven expertise to advance your project. Let's start the conversation: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/ ----- In this episode, we're joined by Nick Jago, Chief Culture Officer at Elemental Projects, who has spent nearly two decades delivering major infrastructure projects across Australia and New Zealand. Nick makes the case that technical knowledge alone will never make you a great project manager — the shift from knowing the work to leading the people is where the real capability gap lies. From emotional intelligence and managing ego under pressure, to healthy conflict and building genuine team culture, Nick shares the people skills that he believes make or break project outcomes. He draws on experience across the Sydney Metro, Auckland International Airport, and NSW social infrastructure to bring these ideas to life with candour, humour, and hard-won perspective. If you manage projects, lead delivery teams, or want to grow as a people leader in complex environments, this episode is for you. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast to see the whiteboard: https://www.youtube.com/@edsicomgt ----- CONNECT WITH US   Website: https://edsico.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt  Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro/Hook 01:44 Introduction of Nick Jago   08:30 The shift from technical to human: the evolution of project management 18:00 Capability vs. experience. What actually predicts success? 26:00 Leading under pressure vs. managing under pressure 37:00 Emotional intelligence, ego, and self-awareness in project delivery 48:00 Conflict, culture, and what "genuine" team culture looks like 58:00 Value over box-ticking. How great PMs show up differently 01:05:00 Book recommendations 01:07:00 Conclusion/Outro DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

  4. Apr 14

    You're Using Planners WRONG (And It's Killing Your Projects) | Ep. 12

    From concept to delivery, we bring proven expertise to advance your project. Let’s start the conversation: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/  ----- In this episode, we're joined by Douglas Marr, Chief Planner at Downer Group, who brings over three decades of real-world construction and project delivery experience to unpack why planning is the most underrated discipline in project success. Drawing on his journey from apprentice electrician to leading standardised planning practices across one of Australia's largest infrastructure businesses, Douglas challenges the outdated idea that planners are background support roles, arguing that projects don't fail because of poor construction, but because planners are brought in too late, treated as schedulers rather than strategic leaders, and excluded from the decisions that matter most. Douglas breaks down the critical difference between a planner and a scheduler, how to connect commercial strategy to execution, build dashboards that actually tell a story, and lead proactive decision-making when delays hit. If you manage projects, lead delivery teams, or are responsible for major infrastructure outcomes, this episode's for you. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast to see the whiteboard: https://www.youtube.com/@edsicomgt  ----- CONNECT WITH US   Website: https://edsico.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt  Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro/Hook 01:41 Douglas' Background and Experience 08:57 The Power of Planning - Turning Strategy into Execution 09:55 Planning as Leadership - How Planning Shapes the Entire Project 29:54 Planner Scheduler 32:00 Connecting Strategy to Scheduler 43:11 The Role of Visibility Using Data and Dashboards 56:00 Decision Making through Planning: When to hold the line and when to adapt? 01:05:14 Lessons from Major Projects 01:18:16 AI and the Future of Planning 01:22:10 Book Recommendations 01:24:21 Conclusion/Outro DISCLAIMER   The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

  5. Mar 3

    80% of Expert Leaders Fail in Complex Projects. Here’s Why | Ep. 11

    From concept to delivery, we bring proven expertise to advance your project. Let’s start the conversation: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/  ----- In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Bradley Hasting, Director of Executive Education at the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, who explains why 80 per cent of expert leaders fail in complex projects. Drawing on research and real-world experience across major infrastructure and government transformations, Bradley challenges the idea that technical skill and competencies drive success. He argues that projects derail not because of poor plans, but because of flawed decision-making, political misalignment, and breakdowns in stakeholder relationships. Dr. Bradley introduces the shift from an expert mindset to a transforming mindset, unpacking what it takes to lead without authority, navigate power and politics, and create environments where teams can thrive under uncertainty. If you manage projects, lead large teams, or operate in high-stakes stakeholder environments, this episode offers a practical and research-backed reframing of what modern leadership truly demands. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast to see the whiteboard: https://www.youtube.com/@edsicomgt  ----- CONNECT WITH US   Website: https://edsico.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt  Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro/Hook 01:44 Introduction of guest background and experience 07:22 The mind of a modern project leader - Why mindset matters? 12:19 Why projects fail? 25:13 The unique challenge of a modern-day project 36:05 Zombie Leadership 47:18 New framing of leadership 01:00:31 What's needed for leadership development to work? 01:05:25 Book Recommendation 01:07:08 Conclusion/Outro DISCLAIMER   The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

  6. Feb 3

    Why Projects Keep Solving the Wrong Problems | Ep. 10

    Need help with managing your next big infrastructure project? Get in touch with our team: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/  ----- In this episode, we’re joined by Mark McLean, a veteran consultant with decades of experience across engineering, quality systems, and ISO standard development, who unpacks why so many teams struggle to solve problems that keep coming back. Mark explains why projects derail not because of capability or effort, but because problems are rarely defined properly before solutions are applied. Drawing on real-world examples from manufacturing, infrastructure, aviation, biomedical labs, and large organisations like Qantas and BHP, Mark breaks down a structured, process-first approach to problem solving. He walks through where teams should actually start, how to define problems with clear scope and boundaries, and why evidence matters more than opinions when identifying root cause. He also explains why common tools like the Five Whys are often misused, and how focusing on processes rather than people leads to more sustainable improvements. If you’re a project manager, engineer, consultant, or leader dealing with recurring issues, firefighting, or change initiatives that fail to stick, this episode offers a clear, practical framework for solving the right problems in the first place. Ideal for anyone responsible for delivery, performance, or continuous improvement in complex organisations. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast to see the whiteboard: https://www.youtube.com/@edsicomgt  ----- CONNECT WITH US   Website: https://edsico.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt  Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro/Hook 01:39 Introduction of Guest/Mike's Background 03:33 How to systematically approach the Problem/DAXIS 06:34 Where to start? 18:17 How to clearly define a problem? 27:15 Do you/team know enough about the problem 36:17 Cause Analysis 56:45 Franken Furte was Right (Janet) 01:02:52 Book recommendation 01:05:52 Conclusion/Outro DISCLAIMER   The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

  7. Jan 12

    How Small Businesses Win Major Contracts (Even Against Big Corporations) | Ep. 09

    Need help with managing your next big infrastructure project? Get in touch with our team: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/  ----- In this episode, we’re joined by Ian Hudson, Executive Director of the Industry Capability Network, who shares how small and medium businesses can win major contracts without trying to compete like Tier One operators. Ian explains what buyers are really looking for, why many tenders fail before they’re even read, and how capability gaps are often created by positioning rather than skill. Drawing on real examples from infrastructure, energy, and preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, Ian breaks down how SMEs can choose the right tenders, present their capability clearly, and align systems, experience, and certifications with project requirements. He also explains why relationships before a tender matter, how procurement policies can work in your favour, and what separates serious contenders from time-wasters. If you’re an SME looking to improve your tender success rate, break into large projects, or prepare your business for upcoming nation-building opportunities, this episode offers clear, practical guidance from someone with a full market view. Ideal for business owners, contractors, and advisors navigating government and major project procurement. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Hook 01:02 Introduction to Ian Hudson and ICN 03:09 Understanding the Capability Gap Between SMEs and Major Projects 06:18 Picking the Right Tenders and Thinking Like the Buyer 10:46 Building a Strong Capability Profile on ICN Gateway 14:32 Certifications, Systems and Readiness Before You Tender 19:05 Competing on a Global Stage as an Australian SME 22:48 Efficiency, Waste Reduction and Focusing on Your Strengths 25:22 Building Local Advantage Through Relationships and Market Sounding 30:11 Collaboration Between SMEs to Win Larger Work Packages 36:58 Government Procurement Rules Explained (AIP, SME Plans, Diversity) 44:12 Using Procurement Policies to Your Advantage 54:58 Lessons Learned From ICN Projects 59:40 Cash Flow, Contract Risk and Scaling Safely 1:07:47 Preparing Your Business for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics 1:13:02 Leveraging Olympic Experience for Future Growth 1:15:17 Book Recommendations for Business and Procurement Success 1:18:40 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts -----   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bFEwnQxQuM9HvHExheqOn  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-plan/id1814284070    -----   CONNECT WITH US   Website: https://edsico.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt

  8. 12/02/2025

    How To Make AI Actually Work Inside Your Organisation | Ep. 08

    Need help with managing your next big infrastructure project? Get in touch with our team: https://edsico.com.au/contact-us/  ----- In this episode, we’re joined by Colin Hickling, Senior Partner at AITW | AI That Works, who brings more than 30 years of experience helping government agencies and large organisations navigate digital transformation. Colin reveals a confronting reality: 95 percent of AI projects fail, not because of the technology, but because organisations lack the governance, accountability, and alignment required to make AI deliver real outcomes. He breaks down the biggest misconceptions leaders have about AI, including why treating it like an IT experiment leads to inaccurate results, security risks, and wasted investment. Colin shares what the top 5% of organisations do differently, what “living governance” looks like in practice, and how one Australian hospital replaced 30 administrative roles with a single AI system, while improving accuracy, speed, and quality. If you want to understand how to avoid AI chaos and build a foundation of trust, resilience, and measurable value, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap. Perfect for executives, project leaders, and anyone responsible for making AI work inside their organisation. ----- Watch the video version of the podcast to see the whiteboard: https://www.youtube.com/@edsicomgt  ----- CONNECT WITH US   Website: https://edsico.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarhoodimscpmp/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edsicomgt/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsicomgt  Time Stamps: 00:00 Hook  00:42 Introduction to Colin Hickling 03:05 What AI Really Is and Why Governance Matters 05:41 The Three Levels of AI Capability 12:45 Hospital Case Study: Replacing 30 Admin Staff with AI 14:42 Feedback Loops and AI Accuracy Improvements 16:16 Why AI Projects Fail (and What the Top 5 Percent Do Differently) 17:01 Living Governance Explained 19:58 AI-Enabled Attacks and Global Examples 27:26 From Strategy to Execution: Bridging Vision and Reality 32:34 Culture, Change Management and Mission-Centric Governance 37:04 Medical Decision Support and Digital Fluency 50:40 Cyber Risk as a Business Risk 60:59 The New Accountability Model 1:17:03 Embedding Resilience Across the Organisation 1:19:02 Outro DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

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About

If you work in major infrastructure projects - whether in government or the private sector - then this series is for you.  Host, Ali Farhoodi, is joined by seasoned project managers who share their insights on successful project management strategies, and behind the scenes stories on projects like Sydney Metro, Sydney Light Rail and the Lane Cove Tunnel. Ali is the Director of EDSICO Management, a boutique, independent, Australian-owned consultancy that provides a range of services to Australian Government agencies and the private sector across all aspects of Project Management and Project Services.

Information

  • Creator
    Ali Farhoodi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond The Plan
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Plan