How BIG things get done (and small things too!)

Think about building an airport.. a bridge.. a museum.. even staging the Olympics!  Why is it these mega projects often end in failure?  Bloated budgets.  Massive delays.  Unhappy stakeholders.  Even doing a home reno often runs into the very same problems.  What do all these failures have in common?  And is there actually a formula for success?Bent Flyvbjerg, a Danish researcher who studies mega projects around the world thinks there is a way for projects to come in on budget, on time and on vision.  He along with Canadian journalist Dan Gardner have co-authored a new book called “How Big Things Get Done.”  This is one of the most informative books I’ve read this year and I’m really excited to share this interview with you.   You will never look at big (or small) projects the same way again!Info on Guest:Dan Gardner is a Canadian journalist, Honorary Senior Fellow, Graduate School of Public and Int’l Affairs at the University of Ottawa, and best selling author of four books including his latest with coauthor Bent Flyvbjerg, “How Big Things Get Done.”  For more info on Dan including his books and articles, visit his website https://www.dangardner.ca/.  For more info on Bent Flyvbjerg, a Danish economics geographer and professor emeritus with the University of Oxford:  https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/people/bent-flyvbjergWe’d really appreciate your support!  Please rate our podcast and subscribe and follow us on social @CRAMideas.   Our thanks to the Temerty Foundation for their generous support.We’d really appreciate your support!  Please rate our podcast and subscribe and follow us on social @CRAMideas.  Support the CRAM Podcast!Research shapes our lives, yet so much of it doesn’t reach the public. CRAM bridges the gap, bringing groundbreaking Canadian research to everyone. To keep this important work going, we need your support.CRAM is a registered charity, and Canadian donors will receive a tax receipt. Help us share the research that matters and donate using the link below. Thank you!https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/124993