Humans of Project Controls

Michael Lepage
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Real stories. Real people. Real impact. Behind every Gantt chart, schedule, and risk register is a person with a story to tell. Humans of Project Controls is a series that goes beyond the spreadsheets to spotlight the professionals shaping the future of project controls. Each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders, rising stars, and unsung heroes - diving into their journeys, struggles, triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way.

Episodes

  1. May 28

    Dr. Ali Montaser on Mega Projects: Why “On Time & On Budget” Is a Myth

    In this episode of Humans of Project Controls, host Michael sits down with Dr. Ali Montaser, Vice President of Project Controls at Accenture Canada, to talk about the real side of delivering mega projects.Ali shares his journey from civil/structural engineering in Egypt to leading project controls across transit, rail, energy, oil & gas, and hydropower in Canada, the U.S., and the Middle East. They dig into what it’s like working in remote environments (Labrador, Northern Manitoba, Yellowknife), why diversified experience matters, and how project controls pros can stay grounded when budgets and schedules inevitably drift.You’ll also hear Ali’s perspective on: The gap between textbook project management and real-world deliveryWhy most project problems are people problems, not technical onesThe “sky is falling” stress trap - and how to avoid internalizing project chaosThe power of simple communication (including his “plan on a page” approach)Why documenting lessons learned matters (Ali has 40+ publications and counting)More about Dr. Ali:Dr. Ali Montaser is a Vice President of Project Controls with 20+ years of executive leadership overseeing complex transit, rail, and energy infrastructure programs across Canada, the U.S., and the Middle East. He leads governance, performance management, and digital transformation initiatives across multi-billion-dollar portfolios. A licensed P.Eng. and certified PSP and PMP, he’s the North America Project Controls Professional of the Year (2025) and has authored 40+ publications recognized by AACE International.

    56 min

  2. Apr 28

    Stop Trusting the Tool: How Great Project Controls Leaders Think (Sedat Akkaya)

    In this episode of Humans of Project Controls, Plan Academy’s Michael Lepage sits down with Sedat Akkaya, Director of Project Controls at Hydro One Toronto, to unpack the human side of project controls and why the tool should never become the goal.Sedat shares his career journey from studying civil engineering in Turkey to a defining co-op experience in Russia (1991) that sparked his passion for scheduling, forecasting, and project controls. From oil & gas to transportation and power, he explains what separates strong project controls professionals from “report generators”: critical thinking, triangulating numbers, and the intuition to spot when something doesn’t add up.You’ll also hear candid leadership lessons on urgency, teamwork, and the real cost of big projects - including the people impact of the 2008–2009 downturn - plus why project controls is often misunderstood as “transactional work” when it’s actually central to planning, measuring performance, and driving corrective action.In this episode, we cover: Why tool reliance is rising and what it risks in project controlsHow to develop “spider senses” for numbers and bad inputsForecasting, month-end cycles, and continuous improvementThe shift from building a project to building an asset that delivers ROILeadership challenges: urgency, pacing, listening, and bringing the team alongLessons from major oil & gas megaprojects and economic cyclesWhy AACE matters and how recommended practices shape the profession

    47 min

  3. Apr 2

    Starting Over in Canada: Ernesto Llorens on Leadership, Project Controls and Having Fun

    In this episode of the Humans of Project Controls Podcast, Michael Lepage sits down with Ernesto Llorens, Head of the Project Management Office at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).Ernesto shares his journey from Venezuela to Canada, what it was like to rebuild his career from scratch, and the lessons he learned about leadership, communication, vulnerability, and the human side of project controls. With more than 35 years of experience across engineering, procurement, construction, mining, metals, and infrastructure, Ernesto brings a rare perspective on what really drives success in project environments.This conversation goes beyond technical project controls topics like scheduling and cost management. It explores why human skills - not just technical skills - are essential for project managers, schedulers, planners, estimators, and project controls professionals. Ernesto talks about mentorship, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, career growth, newcomer success in Canada, and why communication failures can derail even the biggest capital projects.If you work in project controls, project management, Primavera P6, construction scheduling, EPC projects, infrastructure, or leadership, this episode will give you practical and personal insight into building a meaningful career.Subscribe for more conversations on project controls careers, scheduling, leadership, construction project management, and the people behind the profession.

    47 min
  4. The Pressure Vessel Disaster That Changed How I Schedule Projects

    Feb 12

    The Pressure Vessel Disaster That Changed How I Schedule Projects

    Welcome to the very first episode of the Humans of Project Controls podcast! Join host Michael as he sits down with Shoshana Fraizinger, a seasoned project controls professional with deep roots in engineering and nuclear projects. In this candid conversation, Shoshana shares her journey into project controls, the realities behind the technical jargon, and the importance of human connection in a data-driven industry. Together, they explore why real-world experience often trumps textbook perfection, how to navigate the unexpected challenges of major projects, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. Shoshanna opens up about her career path, the value of mentorship, and finding fulfillment beyond chasing job titles - plus, she reveals her favorite music, meals, and what she’d tell her younger self.Listen in, get inspired, and connect with Shoshanna on LinkedIn to continue the conversation! Guest: Shoshanna Fraizinger, CCP FAACE PMP | Associate Cost & Risk Advisory - Arup

    47 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Real stories. Real people. Real impact. Behind every Gantt chart, schedule, and risk register is a person with a story to tell. Humans of Project Controls is a series that goes beyond the spreadsheets to spotlight the professionals shaping the future of project controls. Each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders, rising stars, and unsung heroes - diving into their journeys, struggles, triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way.

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