Navigating Major Programmes

Riccardo Cosentino
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Have you ever wondered why 80 percent of major programmes are late and over budget? Are you skeptical about the pace of adoption of technology in the infrastructure industry? Is your leadership as a major programme professional different from leadership of other professions? Welcome to the Navigating Major Programmes podcast, the elevated conversation dedicated to the world of infrastructure and major programme management. Join Riccardo Cosentino, a Major Programmes Senior Executive with over 20 years experience, along with the industry’s thought leaders as they delve into your disconcerting questions on programme design, delivery, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, along with the most controversial subjects facing infrastructure professionals today. As misconceptions are dismantled, industry standards questioned and fresh ideas are shared, you’ll walk away with new perspective. The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/

  1. 4D AGO

    Building an Engaging Infrastructure Podcast from the Ground Up

    What’s going on off-mic for the Navigating Major Programmes podcast team? Riccardo kicks off Season 4 with a behind-the-scenes conversation with Mikaila (writing and marketing) and Mary (podcast production). The three experts from across the communications spectrum join forces to unpack all that happens before the interview begins and after the recording stops.  Thoughtful preparation meets natural curiosity to deliver a show that so many people in the industry and beyond now tune into every week. In this episode, the trio delves into how Riccardo sources guests, the difficulty of scheduling around the busy timelines of professionals, and how both Riccardo’s workflow and confidence have advanced over more than 80 episodes. The back-and-forth becomes a friendly debate over the benefits and drawbacks of AI in writing and podcasting, from audio cleanup and title generation to voice cloning. The team recognizes that authenticity, emotion, and human effort are all in flux as automation continues to dominate our workflows. On the heels of a milestone season, the fourth installment of Navigating Major Programmes will bring a fresh cohort of insightful professionals—both those newer to infrastructure and well-established—with the goal of further elevating the industry, one conversation at a time. Key Takeaways Breaking down all the legwork required before and after recording an episode.The role of podcasting in building confidence and public speaking ability.How post-production enhances a show without removing its humanness.The controversial use of AI in each step of show creation.Where they’ve been and what’s to come in Season 4.Quote:  “If you have something interesting to say, my platform is your platform.” - Riccardo Cosentino The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/ Follow Riccardo Cosentino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/ Read Riccardo’s latest at www.riccardocosentino.com  Follow Mikaila Kukurudza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaila-kukurudza/ Follow Mary Chan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marychan-organizedsound/Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    1h 8m

  2. 12/15/2025

    Leadership, Courage, and Alignment in Major Projects

    In Season 3, Navigating Major Programmes expanded the podcast’s primary goal—to go beyond the tools and frameworks of program delivery into the humanity behind it—with amazing results. In this wrap-up episode, Riccardo reviews the past year, celebrating the panelists, guests, and listeners who make the show possible. He highlights salient points from Uncharted Conversations and Master Builders, points that truly capture the breadth and depth these collaborators have achieved, both behind the mic and every day in their roles as leaders and innovators. With nearly twice as many episodes and double the weekly listeners from Season 2, the 2025 season gave Riccardo and his co-hosts and guests so many opportunities to explore both the big picture thinking and practical applications that are shaping—and shaking up—the industry today. In January 2026, Navigating Major Programmes will return for season 4 with even more inspiring stories, game-changing ideas, and disruptive conversations about the future of program management. Disclaimer: Navigating Major Programmes believes in adapting with technological advances. This episode was narrated by an AI-generated voice of the program host. Key Takeaways: What this season taught the hosts about what you—the listener—want to hear;Riccardo’s favourite episodes, to listen back on during the break;What to expect in season 4, including a brand new series. Quote: “The future of this industry will be built by those who lead with humanity.” - Riccardo Cosentino The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Listen to Episode 4, The Human Side of Major Projects with Melissa Di Marco: https://navigating-major-programmes-2a01b27b.simplecast.com/episodes/the-human-side-of-major-projects-with-melissa-di-marco-master-builders-s3-ep4Listen to Episode 10, The Powerful Impact of Specialization and Dedication on Long-Haul Projects with Wendy Itagawa: https://navigating-major-programmes-2a01b27b.simplecast.com/episodes/the-powerful-impact-of-specialization-and-dedication-on-long-haul-projects-with-wendy-itagawaListen to Episode 16, Public–Private Partnerships Part 2: Contracts, Contractors, and True Collaboration: https://navigating-major-programmes-2a01b27b.simplecast.com/episodes/publicprivate-partnerships-part-2-contracts-contractors-and-true-collaborationFollow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at: https://riccardocosentino.com/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    10 min

  3. 12/08/2025

    Systems Engineering: From Contract Requirements to Project Realization with Jared Theriault

    How do you break a massive system down into manageable parts—and make sure it all still works together in the end? Much of this responsibility falls to the systems engineer, a vital if underdiscussed position in the major programme ecosystem. In this episode, Jared Theriault joins Riccardo to demystify systems engineering and clarify why it’s an essential discipline in any construction undertaking.  Four years ago, Jared graduated from Queens University with a degree in electrical engineering and signal processing. His transition into systems engineering was unexpected, but today he is a passionate proponent for future progress in the practice. Jared’s role involves ensuring every component of an infrastructure project—communications, controls, safety plans, and more—is accounted for, integrated, and doing what it’s supposed to do. Together, he and Riccardo explore the specialized tools and processes that keep long-term projects on the rails. It’s a data-heavy role, and AI and LLMs can’t be ignored. The two take a look at what the future holds for this multifaceted component so essential to the design, construction, and validation of infrastructure. Key Takeaways The many-pronged approach to systems management;The similarities between systems data management and social media networks;The distinction between relational and graph databases;How robust database software keeps long-term projects organized and efficient;How AI and automation are reshaping the role of systems engineers and the industry as a whole.Quote: “That was one of the cooler things I had done. Gathering all the requirements in one place, seeing how many we actually did have at the end. And yeah, I think it was in the tens of thousands, easily.” - Jared Theriault The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Further your understanding of graph databases: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-doors-data-mastery-graph-databases-systems-riccardo-cosentino-wtikc/Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at https://riccardocosentino.com/   Follow Jared Theriault on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-theriault-7851361b3/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    45 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    Cross-Sector Applied Learning in Major Programme Management with Tim Fitch

    What correlations can we uncover when we extend construction and infrastructure concepts beyond the industry? Exploring high-stress railway builds to supply chain and project management parallels with fashion design, this episode of Navigating Major Programmes is packed with sector-spanning insights. Riccardo sits down with one of his mentors, Tim Fitch, to reflect on the enduring patterns that emerge when delivering major outcomes under tight timelines.  Tim is a veteran director of building development, a market strategist, and this year’s Master of the Worshipful Company of Constructors in London. Through intriguing stories from decades working in diverse roles, Tim shares how early lessons in modular design, safety, and worker wellness continue to inform his work today. He also explores the fascinating history of his livery and London, England’s other Worshipful Companies that support industry camaraderie and higher education in the trades throughout the city. Together, these industry experts take a look back, as well as ahead, to the future of professional leadership in the built environment. Key Takeaways: How the mindset of project delivery applies across industries;The lessons that strategic consulting in infrastructure can borrow from parallel industriesWhy modular construction is essential for infrastructure that must stay operational;What high-pressure projects teach us about burnout, resilience, and boundaries;The fascinating history of livery companies in England.Quote:  “You think you're the king of the world because you've done all this innovative stuff and you take a bite too much and then you spent about six months digesting it, with a lot of Alka Seltzer required. So that was a really important lesson that it's very easy to get carried away with success.” - Tim Fitch The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at https://riccardocosentino.com/   Follow Tim Fitch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timrfitch/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    1h 7m
  5. The Future of the Infrastructure Conversation: 2026 and Beyond

    11/24/2025

    The Future of the Infrastructure Conversation: 2026 and Beyond

    How can the infrastructure industry encourage more open discussions between diverse sectors? In the final Uncharted Conversations episode of the year, Riccardo, Shormila, and David come together to look back at 2025 and ahead at what’s to come, reflecting on the themes, tensions, and unanswered questions of the season. This year saw murky decision-making persist despite infrastructure’s growing prevalence in every Canadian industry. This characteristically honest and envelope-pushing roundtable teases apart the challenges of navigating building and public sector leadership in this economic reality. The group digs into the impact and barriers that risk-averse and unwieldy systems erect against innovative Canadian ideas and efficient project management. They propose new lines of inquiry—including public finance, ideal delivery model selection, and fundamental government mechanics—for the coming year. The pirates also share their personal experiences recording free and unscripted conversations about an industry whose hatches are so tightly battened down with technicality and precision. This episode is part retrospective, part provocation, and a clear invitation to keep the conversation going. Key Takeaways: The podcast's role in building a community of thought and practice;The vital importance of conversations that span all sectors of the industry;How we’ve overcomplicated government decision-making processes, and the resulting implications;Why generalized indecision is the greatest risk facing public project delivery;The fraught reality—and future potential—of hybrid private finance and alliance contracts.Quote: “I feel that now, speaking from a private sector lens, the indecision is a real dampener for my optimism and enthusiasm for how we’re going to tackle some big challenges.”- David Ho The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at https://riccardocosentino.com/Follow David Ho: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtho-ontario/Follow Shormila Chatterjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    54 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    The Risk, Cost, and Advisory Roles of the Project Control Manager with Mohammed “Moody” Saad

    Where does project control exist in the hierarchy of major programme management? This important role is far more than just financial reporting, providing oversight, or raising all the red flags—it's serves as the critical support function that enables project managers to see clearly and act decisively. In this episode, Mohammed “Moody” Saad joins Riccardo to clear up the common misconceptions around project controls. Moody is the VP of Project Delivery at AtkinsRéalis and a sessional lecturer for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Masters of Project Management program.  The project controls manager is a trusted advisor and data wizard who connects the many moving parts of every infrastructure venture. Moody draws on his decades of experience to outline what sets high-performing professionals in his industry apart, including their ability to analyze problems, ask the right questions, and circumvent misplaced emotional or reactive decisions. He and Riccardo also explore the need for early integration of project controls and how the right tools and leadership culture are essential for every programme’s success. Key Takeaways: What project control management is—and what it definitely is not;What great project control managers have in common across sectors and roles;The essential tools and leadership culture that set them up for success;The three critical questions every project control manager should be able to answer;How to begin your project control journey.Quote:  “One ​thing ​that ​is ​often ​overlooked ​in ​organizations ​is ​a ​project ​management ​culture. And ​that's ​where ​I ​think ​a ​lot ​of ​organizations ​struggle. ​Because ​if ​you ​don't ​have ​that ​buy ​in ​from ​executive ​leadership ​in ​an ​organization ​to ​drive ​that ​project ​management ​culture, then ​you ​are ​not ​setting ​up ​the ​project ​management ​and ​project ​controls ​personnel ​for ​success.” - Mohammed “Moody” Saad The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at https://riccardocosentino.com/   Follow Moody Saad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moodysaad/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    40 min

  7. 11/10/2025

    The Promise and Imperfections of Canada’s Infrastructure Industry with Damian Joy

    How has the rise of P3s in major infrastructure programmes impacted Canada since their adoption? In the past 30 years, the country has seen a significant transformation in the industry, from the rise of public-private partnerships, to the creation of governance like the Infrastructure Ontario Act, to the more recent implementation of alliance and collaborative models. Riccardo’s guest, Damian Joy, has seen this development from its early stages.  Damien’s journey through what he calls his three careers—working with contractors on mega projects around the world, settling in Canada as a director at Balfour, and consulting with Ernst & Young—offers an excellent vantage point. With his wide-ranging knowledge and eagerness to continue growing his expertise, Damian is perfectly positioned to provide a well-rounded SWOT analysis. In this episode, the two civil engineers identify and break down the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of past and future social infrastructure projects in Canada. Their insightful and unfiltered exploration highlights the external impacts and internal sticking points that are carrying the country through its burgeoning building renaissance. Key Takeaways The origin and development of P3 across Canada;The importance of strong leadership and proactive governance in the success of mega projects;How P3 and UK knowledge transfer benefited contractors in Canada;The factors that affect a programme’s success above and beyond the delivery format;The impact technology is having on infrastructure data management.Quote: “[P3s and alliance models] both have a role to play. I think there’s benefits of both and the problem is not the model, it’s when the model is used in the wrong place at the wrong time.”- Damian Joy The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at https://riccardocosentino.com/Follow Damian Joy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-joy-8174a3b/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    50 min

  8. 11/03/2025

    Innovating for Infrastructure from the Ground Up with Teresa Gonzalez Rico

    How do we build innovation before we begin to build infrastructure? When it comes to planning and launching major infrastructure projects, rushing to the construction phase too quickly has proven disadvantages. Navigating Major Programmes takes it down to the studs with Teresa Gonzalez Rico, the London-based Associate Director of AtkinsRéalis. She joins Riccardo to talk about innovation and development as a safeguard for stability while those projects are still just ideas. Teresa was a part of the early stages of the UK’s Catapult Network, a government-funded initiative that supports innovation across high-growth sectors. Through real-world case studies and insights from her experience leading cross-sector collaborations, she expounds on the wide-ranging benefits of gathering diverse players—startups, researchers, educational institutions, and big tech—to test-run solutions to complex problems, at scale, right from the start. She and Riccardo discuss striking a balance between human-centred and commercial gain, and they explore the impact funding models have on success and public perception. Teresa also dives into the industry’s need for smart digitization to address the messy realities of major infrastructure projects. Key Takeaways How projects combining disparate interests deliver widespread research and development benefits;The importance of effectively implementing and scaling up with new technologies;Why requiring publicly funded organizations to raise capital can send mixed messages;Digitization across the full life-cycle of built environment projects;The innovative mission of the Catapult Network in the UK.Quote: “I ​think ​one ​interesting ​aspect ​of ​the ​catapult ​network ​is that they were ​set ​up ​as ​not ​for ​profit ​private ​companies. ​Their ​commercial ​model ​is ​that ​they ​receive  ​funding ​from ​that ​core ​funding, ​but ​then ​they ​would ​have ​to ​supplement ​that ​funding. So ​actually ​in ​some ​way, ​while ​there ​is ​a ​lot ​of ​activity ​that ​is ​powered ​through ​that core ​funding ​coming ​from ​the ​government, ​there ​is ​also ​a ​big ​drive ​to ​find ​opportunities ​and ​find partners ​and other to ​collaborate ​with ​and ​draw ​in ​investment.” - Teresa Gonzalez Rico The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/Read Riccardo’s latest at https://riccardocosentino.com/Follow Teresa Gonzales Rico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresagr/ Music: "A New Tomorrow" by Chordial Music. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

    43 min
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About

Have you ever wondered why 80 percent of major programmes are late and over budget? Are you skeptical about the pace of adoption of technology in the infrastructure industry? Is your leadership as a major programme professional different from leadership of other professions? Welcome to the Navigating Major Programmes podcast, the elevated conversation dedicated to the world of infrastructure and major programme management. Join Riccardo Cosentino, a Major Programmes Senior Executive with over 20 years experience, along with the industry’s thought leaders as they delve into your disconcerting questions on programme design, delivery, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, along with the most controversial subjects facing infrastructure professionals today. As misconceptions are dismantled, industry standards questioned and fresh ideas are shared, you’ll walk away with new perspective. The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/

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  • Creator
    Riccardo Cosentino
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023-2025 Navigating Major Programmes
  • Show Website
    Navigating Major Programmes