The Project Chatter Podcast

Dale Foong and Val Matthews
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Welcome to Project Chatter,  the podcast where project professionals, specialists and experts from various sectors talk about the latest trends in project management and PMO. Listen to Val and Dale as they talk about tried and tested best practices and share their unfiltered thoughts about the industry. Whether you're here to learn how to progress your career, improve your project controls skills, or just want to hear an Aussie and South African rant about projects, then you've come to the right place. Welcome to the Project Chatter Podcast, with your hosts Dale Foong and Val Matthews.

  1. S10E220: Is Project Controls Behind on AI? | Yash Desai, Movar Reply

    4d ago

    S10E220: Is Project Controls Behind on AI? | Yash Desai, Movar Reply

    Most data scientists have never touched a project. Yash Desai looked at the project controls world through the data first, and what he found says a lot about why this industry lags behind others on AI. In Episode 220, Dale is joined by returning co-host Martin and first-time guest Yash Desai, Head of Data and AI at Movar Reply, for a practical conversation on where data, AI and robotics actually fit in project delivery. We cover why project controls sits behind other industries, what an orchestration layer really is, how to future-proof your role, the data scientist vs project controller debate, hiring for drive over a skills list, robotics on site today vs the hype, and the Fable situation. No buzzwords, just useful insight. Chapters:00:00 Welcome back01:38 Who is Yash Desai?04:09 Why project controls lags on AI09:44 What is an orchestration layer?14:23 Future-proofing your role22:48 Data scientist vs project controller33:26 Grads and the assurance layer36:17 Why robotics is getting interesting46:21 Robotics in one to two years52:10 Should governments regulate robotics?57:23 The Fable situation and 'Pragmatic'01:01:01 Final thoughts Connect with Yash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yash-desai-00847216b/Subscribe to Pragmatic: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/pragmaitic-7347631768201535488/ A free-access podcast. Pay it forward and share it on. www.projectchatter.com

    1h 5m
  2. S10E219: Why 88% of Schedules Fail, and What AI Still Can't Fix with Michael Pink

    Jun 17

    S10E219: Why 88% of Schedules Fail, and What AI Still Can't Fix with Michael Pink

    88% of project schedules don't follow best practice. So why are we so keen to feed that data into AI and trust the output? In this episode, Dale and Val are joined by Michael Pink, Founder of SmartPM, for a sharp conversation on the forensic side of delay and the state of AI in project controls. Mike has analysed hundreds of thousands of schedules and built a career on working out who delayed what, and why nobody could ever agree. His core message: clean data is not the same as honest data. A technically tidy schedule can tell you a story that never happened, and if you point AI at it, you don't get insight, you get a confident wrong answer at scale. What we cover: Mike's route into construction, from a study-abroad debt to KPMG's construction consulting group25 years of change in the people and process side of schedulingThe shift from reactive forensic work to proactive project controlsData honesty vs data quality, and why integrity is the combination of both (framing credited to Isaac Dyer and Carlos Sanchez)The 88% problem: missing logic, inflated float and moving datesThe compression factor, and the exact point a schedule becomes infeasibleWhy a weekly update beats a monthly one, for almost no extra timeP6 vs Microsoft Project, and grading schedule quality across 35 metricsWhere LLMs genuinely help, and why quantitative AI is still the long gameThe future of the scheduler: less building and cleaning, more strategyA genuinely optimistic look at where the profession is heading, and why this might be the best time yet to be in project controls. This episode is proudly sponsored by nPlan.nPlan Summer AI Day 2026: Construction Superintelligence takes place in London on Thursday 25 June 2026, with a fireside featuring Peter Hancock, Project Director at National Grid, and Dima Pogorelsky, MD and Partner at BCG. February's event sold out with standing room only. Register here:https://www.nplan.io/events/nplan-summer-ai-day-2026-construction-superintelligence Connect with Michael Pink at https://www.smartpm.com or on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, help us pay it forward and share it. Stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it.

    56 min
  3. S10E218: Breaking into the job market in the age of AI, with Nick Chizuka

    Jun 11

    S10E218: Breaking into the job market in the age of AI, with Nick Chizuka

    Top of his MBA class at the University of Bath, technically sharp, and still firing out 20 to 30 applications a day with little to show for it. Nick Chizuka joins Dale and Val for an honest conversation about what it takes to land a role in project controls and consulting right now, and why the rise of AI has made the graduate market tougher than it was even a year ago. It is a candid look at the gap between what universities teach and what employers actually want, the false choice between technical and soft skills, and where the real jobs of the next decade might come from. In this episode: Why a top MBA no longer guarantees a job, and what changedTechnical skills vs soft skills, and why you need bothThe graduates' verdict on data, analytics and machine learningRobotics and physical AI as the next frontierThe energy and infrastructure bottleneck nobody talks aboutUsing the big firms as a springboard, not a destinationGrit, discipline, and hiring for attitude over CVNick's hard-won advice: don't get discouraged, get help, and network relentlesslyA reminder that people are not their behaviours. Set the environment for success and the right person will fly. This episode is sponsored by nPlan. nPlan AI Day, Summer 2026: Construction SuperintelligenceThursday 25 June 2026, from 3:00pmKachette, 347 Old St, London EC1V 9LP, and online nPlan's twice-yearly showcase returns with its biggest product moment of the year, including the launch of the nPlan Decision Intelligence Platform. The fireside brings together Peter Hancock, Project Director at National Grid on the Didcot substation, and Dima Pogorelsky, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, for a candid take on delivering the infrastructure behind the AI era. February sold out with standing room only, so book early. Register: https://www.nplan.io/events/nplan-summer-ai-day-2026-construction-superintelligence Listen, subscribe and follow Project Chatter wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this one, pay it forward and share the link. Stay safe, be disruptive, and have fun doing it.

    56 min
  4. S10E217: Lisa Silander on 30 Years in UK Project Controls

    May 1

    S10E217: Lisa Silander on 30 Years in UK Project Controls

    Dale and Val are joined by Lisa Silander, Global Practice and UK Technical Lead for Project Controls at AtkinsRéalis. With 30 years leading planning and project controls teams across aviation, rail, water, manufacturing, and nuclear, Lisa has shaped delivery on some of the UK's most demanding capital programmes including Heathrow Terminal 5, Heathrow Q6, the Heathrow Expansion Project, Thames Water AMP5, and Yorkshire Water AMP7. In this episode we cover: Lisa's career journey into project controlsWhat attracted her to the discipline and kept her there for three decadesThe initiative she's leading to build UK project controls capability at AtkinsRéalisWhy humans will always be involved in projects, even as AI reshapes the workThe daily habits that have shaped her careerGrit, determination, and the human side of leading high-performing teamsPerspective as a woman building and leading teams in a complex industry A grounded, practical conversation with one of the most experienced voices in UK project controls. Connect with Lisa Silander on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-silander-fcasa-b078645/ Follow the Project Chatter Podcast:Website: https://www.projectchatter.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectchatterpodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoudjc2m0ttmAkyvBnf8EnQSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6m6J87LIOHVoY9FlaAXp53Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-project-chatter-podcast/id1869579042 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share with someone in your network. Keep listening, keep liking, and keep paying it forward.

    55 min
  5. S10E216: CaSA Digital Community of Practice Fight Night

    Apr 22

    S10E216: CaSA Digital Community of Practice Fight Night

    We recently hosted the Controls and Skills Authority Digital Community of Practice Fight Night in Birmingham. This lively panel debate explores the impact of AI on project delivery, jobs, and industry practices. Experts challenge the notion that AI is just a tool or a threat, examining cultural, technical, and structural factors shaping AI adoption in construction and beyond. 3 Fights Culture is the No.1 Enabler for AI Adoption - Ronald Dyer vs Andrew KnightAI is just a tool, it won't replace jobs - Lisa Silander vs Marco FrisendaAI Does Not Improve Project Delivery - Sarah Crawley vs Kashan Ratyalhttps://www.controlsandskills.co.uk/

    43 min
  6. S10E215: AI Regulation - Navigating the Future of Responsible Innovation with Isabela Parisio

    Apr 3

    S10E215: AI Regulation - Navigating the Future of Responsible Innovation with Isabela Parisio

    In this episode, Isabela Parisio, a legal expert in AI regulation, shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of regulating artificial intelligence. Topics include regulatory sandboxes, definitions of AI, accountability, privacy, military applications, and the future of AI governance. Key Topics Regulatory sandboxes for AI testingDefinitions and scope of AIAccountability and liability in AI systemsPrivacy concerns and data protectionMilitary applications and ethical considerationsLegal fictions and AI as a legal entityPolicy development and international cooperationChapters 03:59 Isabela's Background and Transition to AI 07:54 Intersection of Law and AI 11:07 Understanding Regulatory Sandboxes 14:44 Experimentation in AI Development 21:00 Privacy Concerns in AI 28:22 The Role of AI in Self-Regulation 34:39 The Human Element in Technological Advancement 39:30 AI in Military Applications: Accountability and Ethics 46:07 Navigating Accountability in AI Usage 56:40 Education and AI Literacy for Future Generations 01:01:41 The Legal Status of AI: A New Frontier 01:11:36 The Future of AI: Ethical Considerations and Governance Resources Responsible AI UK - https://responsibleaiuk.org/European Union AI Act - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021PC0206Johns Hopkins University AI Policy - https://www.jhu.edu/King's College London AI Research - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/Bicentennial Man (Movie) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118571/UK Data Protection Laws - https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/California AI Legislation - https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpaAI Summit 2023 - https://aibusiness.com/events/ai-summit-2023/

    1h 22m
  7. S10E214: Understanding the Complexity of Modern Data Centers with Dr Atif Ansar

    Mar 20

    S10E214: Understanding the Complexity of Modern Data Centers with Dr Atif Ansar

    In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Val and Dale welcome Atif Ansar, co-founder of Foresight, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of data centers. Atif shares insights on the explosive growth and increasing complexity of data centers, highlighting the challenges related to energy supply, skilled labor, and technology redundancy. The conversation explores the role of AI in enhancing data center design and construction, the impact of edge computing, and the skills needed for future project professionals in this dynamic field. Atif also touches on innovative concepts like space-based data centers, emphasizing the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. In this conversation, the speakers explore the intersection of creativity and AI, discussing how technology influences project management and the future of jobs. They emphasize the importance of human essence in a technology-driven world and the evolving nature of data centers amidst global competition. The discussion also touches on the necessity of adapting to technological advancements and the potential for superintelligence in the future. Takeaways 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Data centers are experiencing explosive growth, with construction volume increasing significantly. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The complexity of data centers has evolved, making them more akin to industrial assets than simple warehouses. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Data centers require substantial energy, land, and skilled labor, creating challenges in construction. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The lifespan of data centers is long, but technology within them evolves rapidly, leading to potential obsolescence. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ AI can significantly enhance the design and construction processes of data centers. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Edge computing complements data centers, creating a fractal-like relationship between different computing structures. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Project professionals should focus on becoming subject matter experts while also being adaptable and open to using AI.🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The energy supply for data centers is a critical constraint, but innovation in self-supply and renewable energy is emerging. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Understanding the components and costs associated with data centers is essential for project professionals. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The future of data centers may include innovative concepts like space-based facilities. Creativity enhances the effectiveness of project management. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ AI allows generalists to be more valuable than specialists. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Human jobs will evolve rather than disappear due to AI. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The demand for human-specific jobs will be based on human preferences. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Technological advancements can improve quality of life and efficiency. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The luxuries of one generation become necessities for the next. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ We are transitioning from an analog to a digital world. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Data centers are crucial in the global tech race. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ The construction of data centers will continue to grow exponentially. 🏗️👷🏼‍♀️ Continuous learning is essential in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:58 The Growth and Complexity of Data Centers 05:23 Key Components of Data Centers 08:01 The Future of Data Centers in Space 11:24 Energy Supply Challenges for Data Centers 15:30 Technology Redundancy and Lifespan of Data Centers 20:43 Edge Computing and Its Impact 23:58 AI's Role in Data Center Design and Construction 27:29 Skills for Future Project Professionals in Data Centers 30:44 The Intersection of Creativity and AI 33:46 The Future of Jobs in an AI World 36:18 Human Essence in the Age of Technology 39:39 The Evolution of Technology and Human Experience 43:42 Data Center Dynamics and Global Competition 52:11 The Future of Project Management and Technology #ProjectManagement #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications

    57 min
  8. S10E213: Unmasking Watermelon Projects: How to Achieve True Transparency in Projects with Dave Lockley

    Mar 6

    S10E213: Unmasking Watermelon Projects: How to Achieve True Transparency in Projects with Dave Lockley

    In this episode, project delivery expert Dave Lockley shares insights on transforming complex change portfolios into measurable business value, the pitfalls of watermelon projects, and how technology can improve project transparency and decision-making. Key Topics Watermelon projects and transparencyThe role of technology and AI in project managementLeadership and decision-making in projectsChapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 03:51 Dave Lockley's Journey into Project Management 06:30 Understanding the Motivation Behind Projects 08:14 The Concept of Watermelon Projects 11:45 The Role of Technology in Project Management 15:32 Decision-Making in Project Management 20:51 The Need for a Chief Projects Officer 22:37 The Impact of Technology on Decision-Making 26:54 Understanding Decision-Making in Project Management 28:19 Identifying Project Risks and Metrics 30:06 The Importance of Transparency in Reporting 31:15 Leadership and Accountability in Projects 33:22 The Need for Qualified Decision-Makers 36:11 Exploring Governance and Control in Projects 38:56 The Role of Human Behavior in Project Management 40:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections on Project Management

    45 min
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Welcome to Project Chatter,  the podcast where project professionals, specialists and experts from various sectors talk about the latest trends in project management and PMO. Listen to Val and Dale as they talk about tried and tested best practices and share their unfiltered thoughts about the industry. Whether you're here to learn how to progress your career, improve your project controls skills, or just want to hear an Aussie and South African rant about projects, then you've come to the right place. Welcome to the Project Chatter Podcast, with your hosts Dale Foong and Val Matthews.

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  • Creator
    Dale Foong and Val Matthews
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    221
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dale Foong and Val Matthews
  • Show Website
    The Project Chatter Podcast