Afford Anything

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Team Afford Anything
    • Media
    • Questions?
  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
    • Sponsors
    • Ask a Question
    • Guest Guidelines
  • Community
  • TV
  • Explore
    • Your First Rental Property
    • Travel
    • Start a Blog
    • Earn Extra Income

February 23, 2023By Paula Pant

#429: How BIG Things Get Done, with Dr. Bent Flyvberg

Have you ever thought about remodeling a kitchen? Retrofitting a camper van for #vanlife? Converting your basement into an Airbnb? Building a custom website? Recording an album?

Did you worry that this project will cost more and take longer than you expected?

This episode is all about how to complete projects on-time and under budget.

Today’s guest, Dr. Bent Flyvberg, is an Oxford University professor with a Ph.D. in urban geography. He’s published more than 200 scholarly articles on megaproject planning and management, decision-making, and social science methodology. He’s written or edited 10 books, including recently co-authoring “How Big Things Get Done.”

He shares examples ranging from the Sydney Opera House to Pixar movies to the California High Speed Rail, illustrating why some projects flourished while others flopped.

He joins us on today’s episode and talks to us about why some projects succeed while others turn into colossal disasters. He offers tips for how we can apply lessons from megaprojects to our own lives.

Enjoy!

Timing of discussion points as of February 2023: 

02:19: Why are some projects on time and under budget and others aren’t?

03:24: The difference between successful and unsuccessful projects

07:38: Which questions do you ask when you’re choosing someone to work with on the project?

11:44: How cognitive biases and power dynamics and influence project outcomes

24:22: Why people forsake common sense when it comes to big projects

29:34: How to plan and iterate, knowing that things will change

39:26: The biggest risk to projects

 

listen to afford anything on itunessubscribe on android afford anything


Thanks to our sponsors!

Indeed
Indeed does the hard work for you. Sponsor a job, and boom–Instant Match shows you candidates whose resumes on Indeed fit your job description immediately after you post. With Instant Match you can start hiring fast. Go to indeed.com/paula.


OUAI
OUAI’s hair care, body, and fragrance products are cruelty-, sulfate-, and paraben-free. Flake-free is the OUAI to be in 2023 with OUAI’s NEW Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. Go to theouai.com and use code “PAULA” to get 15% off your entire purchase.

Tweet
Pin
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
#430: Ask Paula: My Parents Are Drowning In Credit Card Debt. What Should I Do?
Next Newer Episode »
#428: Ask Paula: Do I Really Need a Financial Advisor?
Next Older Episode »

Posted in: EpisodesTagged in: bent flyvberg, project management

Most Popular

Inflation, Illustrated
How Much is Enough?
What if We Quit Setting Goals? (Seriously?)
The Incredible Power of 10x Thinking
  • Binge
  • Questions?
  • Contact
Join 70,000+ subscribers who get free email updates.

© 2021 Afford Anything. Designed By Wilnau Design. Built by Zach Swinehart. Disclosure

© Copyright 2011 – 2023 Afford Anything. All Rights Reserved.

Website by Zach Swinehart.

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Team Afford Anything
    • Media
    • Questions?
  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
    • Sponsors
    • Ask a Question
    • Guest Guidelines
  • Community
  • TV
  • Explore
    • Your First Rental Property
    • Travel
    • Start a Blog
    • Earn Extra Income

Afford Anything

  • Start Here
    • About
    • Team Afford Anything
    • Media
    • Questions?
  • Blog
    • Binge
  • Podcast
    • Binge
    • Sponsors
    • Ask a Question
    • Guest Guidelines
  • Community
  • TV
  • Explore
    • Your First Rental Property
    • Travel
    • Start a Blog
    • Earn Extra Income