Leading Complex Projects: A Data–Driven Approach to Mastering the Human Side of Project Management

A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO MEASURING AND MASTERING THE HUMAN SIDE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Based on a groundbreaking study of complex industrial projects around the world conducted by authors Edward W. Merrow and Neeraj S. Nandurdikar, Leading Complex Projects describes a revolutionary new approach to project analysis that, for the first time, succinctly measures project outcomes in terms of project leadership and associated human factors. Unlike other project analysis methodologies which tend to conceptualize post–mortem analysis exclusively in terms of goals, schedules, budgets, and other traditionally quantifiable factors, the data–driven approach described in this book:

Addresses a range of "intangible" factors, such as relationships, cultural alignment, and motivation Develops a rigorous framework and powerful tools for quantifying human factors and their impact on project outcomes Describes how to systematically link project leaders personalities, habits, and tasks to project outcomes to define areas for improvement Provides a vista into the life of some of the most successful leaders of complex projects through leader profiles Provides companies, human resources and executives a roadmap on how to identify future leaders, what to look for in them and how to provide curated experiences for the young leader′s career so that they can become successful leaders of complex projects

Leadership is measured in terms of results. For project managers, this means taking responsibility for project outcomes as well as having a clear plan for delivering continuous improvement going forward. An indispensable professional resource for anyone in a project management role, Leading Complex Projects for the first time arms PMs charged with leading complex, large–scale projects with a rigorous framework and a set of sophisticated tools for measuring and mastering the human side of project management.

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xi

About the Authors xiii

Introduction

Executive Summary 1

Chapter 1

Getting Grounded 7

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xi

About the Authors xiii

Introduction

Executive Summary 1

Chapter 1

Getting Grounded 7

Part One

Chapter 2

Methodology and Data 23

Chapter 3

The Unique Demands on Complex Project Leaders 39

Chapter 4

The Traits and Skills of Effective Project Leaders 53

Chapter 5

From Personality to Practice 77

Part Two

Chapter 6

Joseph Brewer 99

Chapter 7

Don Vardeman 109

Chapter 8

Nora in MD Salleh and Dzulkarnain Azaman 125

Chapter 9

Jay Sexton 137

Chapter 10

Paul Harris 149

Chapter 11

David Young 163

Chapter 12

What Have We Learned and What Does It Mean? 179

Index 000

EDWARD W. MERROW is the founder and CEO of Independent Project Analysis, Inc. After starting his career as a professor at the University of California Los Angeles, Ed spent 15 years at the RAND Corporation, eventually directing RAND′s Energy Research Program. In 1987 he founded IPA to be a unique benchmarking and research provider to the capital–intensive industries and infrastructure builders around the world. Ed has authored a number of studies and books, most recently Industrial Megaprojects (Wiley 2011). Ed′s contributions to the industry have been recognized by a number of organizations and he is a member of the National Academy of Construction.

NEERAJ S. NANDURDIKAR is Director of IPA′s global Exploration and Production (E&P) practice. In this capacity he acts as a partner and adviser to Fortune 100 Oil and Gas executives around the world in helping find savings and efficiencies across the entire oil and gas value chain and help lift capital productivity. He has delivered several keynotes and conference presentations and is a key thought leader in the industry, working to enhance the oil and gas industry′s capital projects performance and make the industry stronger and more resilient. He has an MBA from The Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Tulsa.