Project Insights

In this episode of Project Insights, PMA experts Rick Johnson and Jeff Plant join host Bryan Ritch to explore why value engineering (VE) remains a vital tool for successful infrastructure delivery. Drawing on decades of experience, they explain how true VE goes beyond cost cutting by using a structured, function‑driven approach to improve performance, constructability, and lifecycle value. Through real project examples, the conversation highlights how fresh perspectives and multidisciplinary teams can challenge assumptions and unlock significant savings. Rick and Jeff also discuss common barriers to early VE adoption and why applying VE sooner (not later) leads to better outcomes for owners navigating rising costs and complexity.

In this episode of Project Insights, host Amanda Donovan is joined by Erika Flynn from GovSpend and Kim Varghese from PMA Consultants to explore the importance of market research and pre-positioning. Erika and Kim share how tools like GovSpend and proactive intelligence help firms identify decision makers, anticipate procurement trends, and uncover client priorities. Throughout the episode, our guests help listeners learn strategies for turning data into actionable insights, building capture plans, and aligning marketing and operations to position effectively. Additionally, Amanda and Kim recall examples of when prepositioning and relationship building led to winning work - proven real-world tactics! From identifying clients to determining what projects best suit your team, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how research-driven positioning creates stronger outcomes in a competitive marketplace.

In this episode of Project Insights, host Amanda Donovan is joined by PMA Executive Director Angel Ripepi and Managing Director of Marketing Bryan Ritch to explore the balance between collaboration and competition in construction project delivery. Angel and Bryan share insights on why strategic teaming is essential in today’s market, how early positioning and trust influence project success, and the role of cultural alignment in building lasting partnerships. Moving on to the "how," they also discuss practical strategies for selecting partners, managing relationships with firms that may later be competitors, and positioning PMA as a partner of choice through transparency and shared success. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how reputation, adaptability, and complementary expertise create winning teams in an increasingly complex industry.

In this episode of Project Insights, host Zoe Moschella sits down with Executive Director Chris Carroll as he reflects on his remarkable 33-year career at PMA and his upcoming retirement. Chris shares stories from his early work on Boston’s Big Dig and the Ted Williams Tunnel, as well as his more recent assignments leading transformative school and municipal projects. Through these stories, he highlights lessons learned in project controls, the evolution of PMA’s owner’s project management practice, and the importance of communication, teamwork, and adaptability in the construction industry. Listeners will gain insights into the past, present, and future of project management while celebrating the enduring impact of Chris’s contributions to PMA and the Northeast region.

Learn about PMA's hiring and recruiting process from our Director of Talent Acquisition, Dave DePina, and our Michigan Managing Director, John Zann. Host Amanda Donovan asks our guests how they approach finding the right employees for a people-first company, considering both technical and soft skills. If you are looking to bolster your interview questions to find the perfect candidate for your company's position or if you are job-seeking yourself, this episode provides crucial insights into the world of talent acquisition.

After a meeting, it's a straightforward process to incorporate project members' feedback into a schedule - what's more difficult, but just as essential, is incorporating what wasn't said at all. In this episode of Project Insights, Shane Wilhelmsen and Graham Briggs, two of PMA's Braintree Directors, explore what it takes to be an effective scheduler in the construction industry. Using their real-life experiences as a basis for conversation, our guests share the power of having a critical and inquisitive outlook while creating project schedules, how to foster schedule transparency with a diverse audience, and why a comprehensive schedule is key to project success.

In this episode of Project Insights, host Zoe Mervine welcomes PMA Consultants Founder Dr. Gui Ponce de Leon and Dr. Vivek Puri, Managing Director in PMA’s Innovation Group, for a deep dive into delay analysis and schedule compression. As leading innovators in forensic scheduling and the Graphical Path Method (GPM), Dr. Ponce de Leon and Dr. Puri share the origins of GPM, how it transformed the field, and how PMA integrates it into powerful, user-friendly software. This episode contains stories, expert insights, and practical advice for anyone managing or analyzing project delays.

In this episode of Project Insights, PMA's Sal Augusto and Trusted Advisor Associate's Noelle Mykolenko discuss what it means to be a trusted advisor with host Amanda Donovan. Both guests have extensive experience in this role, which involves building trust and fostering collaboration to elevate professional relationships. After years of working with clients and training hundreds of professionals, Sal and Noelle have a lot to share about the crucial elements of building trust with a client and how to win it back if you make a mistake. Even if you are not a trusted advisor, these tips will help anyone build better relationships and leadership skills, so don't miss out!

In this Project Insights episode, PMA’s experts Dan Patterson, a global innovator in schedule and risk analytics, and Francisco Cruz, a seasoned project controls and risk management, join Zoe Mervine in an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that dives into how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing risk management in project controls. They explore how AI tools can identify hidden risks that human experts might overlook. The discussion highlights how AI enhances decision-making, improves risk detection, and ultimately increases the likelihood of project success. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how cutting-edge AI technology is reshaping the future of project risk management.

Co-hosts Zoe Mervine and Brian Sullivan take on the complexities of managing changes and claims in construction projects through talking with PMA's Clark McCormick. With over 28 years of experience in contracts administration, claims management, and owner's project manager (OPM) work across major transportation and education projects, Clark brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion from both a claims consulting and OPM angle. Listen to this episode of Project Insights to hear his advice for preparing owners for the inevitable, improving the claims and change order process, and dealing with common mistakes. If you are an OPM or project owner, you'll want to learn from Clark's facilitation process to help deliver a successful project!

In this episode of Project Insights, hosts Zoe Mervine and Bryan Ritch are joined Eduardo Nazario, PMA Orlando’s Managing Director, to discuss navigating the complexities of pharmaceutical construction and production project management. As someone who has been in the industry for 30 years, Eduardo is able to convey the intricate nature of the pharmaceutical industry, namely efficient planning within the requirements of the FDA and providing experienced staff to carry this out. He also explains how to break into an industry that requires such a high level of past knowledge. Listen to this episode to learn more about the unique challenges of the pharmaceutical industry, Eduardo’s experiences on major projects, and how scheduling innovations are key to staying on top in the industry.

Explore Agile's impact on construction project management with hosts Hatim Elnueri and Zoe Mervine joined by PMA’s Alex Neary. As a senior associate and product manager, Alex is an accomplished project manager in technology and Agile methodology. Agile, unlike the traditional waterfall approach, is an iterative process that enables more frequent adjustments and closer collaboration, making it particularly valuable for complex construction projects. Tune in to hear Alex’s insights on the future of Agile, the cultural shifts needed for its successful integration into the construction industry, and how to determine if Agile is the right fit for your project.

Join the Projects Insights team while they discuss Earned Value Management (EVM) with guests Jerry Klanac and Reniz Moosa! Jerry, a consultant at PMA and university faculty member in construction engineering and management, and Reniz, PMA Chicago Senior Director, both bring significant experience in this performance management method. Throughout the episode, our guests share the background and fundamentals of EVM, tips for checking schedule accuracy, determining quality results while using this method, and other helpful advice. Listen to this episode to learn more about “the fun within project controls” and how to improve your project performance through EVM!

In this episode of Project Insights, hosts Zoe Mervine and Alex Worth kick off Construction Safety Week (May 6 – 10, 2024) by interviewing PMA Detroit’s Reed Johnson. Reed has been involved in construction almost his entire life, now serving as an inspector and project manager on multiple construction projects, giving him a deep understanding of the risks involved for workers. Throughout his discussion, Reed shares stories from the worksite, covering what he views as the biggest risks, mitigating risks, staying on top of safety standards, and what leadership can do to increase safety. Join us to learn more about what PMA’s professionals are doing to make the industry safer and how you can contribute yourself.

To celebrate Women in Construction Week (March 3 – 9, 2024), hosts Zoe Mervine and Bryan Ritch are joined by PMA Northeast director Kathy Gorman, who specializes in scheduling and delay analysis. Over her 35-year career, Kathy has gone from being one in a handful of women on a construction project to being one amongst many – something that she believes makes the industry stronger. Tune in to hear stories about Kathy’s impressive career, from the people and characteristics she contributes to her success, to her advice for anyone who wants to work in construction scheduling and leadership.

Hosts Hatim Elnueri and Zoe Mervine are joined by Wee Orwatthana, PMA senior associate, to discuss long-term projects and planning. As a project controls specialist for pharmaceutical, transportation, and public infrastructure industries, Wee delves into what she sees as pivotal to planning long-term projects, including the greatest uncertainties and crucial aspects to outline and discuss with stakeholders. Wee also leaves listeners with a nod to the software she uses in the process, including PMA Technologies’ NetPoint and Project Summit, which aids with collaboration and impact visualization. Wee has been promoted to Director since this episode was recorded. 

Join us in our discussion with PMA Director John Hill as he reflects on his 42-year project management career. While he is currently a project manager, mainly supporting large-scale electric utilities projects, John began his path thinking he would be a structural engineer. Even after finding his strengths in scheduling, his career still required no shortage of adaptations from him, including new technologies, differing state requirements, industry intricacies, and evolving role expectations. Listen to this episode to hear how John has learned from these challenges and his advice to other project managers.

In the second episode of Project Insights, Brian Sullivan, PMA Director and Rhode Island Operations Lead, gives listeners a look into the current market in Rhode Island and how it has changed over the recent years. Having worked in Rhode Island for the majority of his career, Brian has observed its market go from being based in small, local firms to working primarily with out-of-state and buyout firms. Tune into Project Insights to discover the reasons behind this shift, as well as Brian’s tips for navigating this new market, including how working with a consulting firm helped him adapt to these unique challenges.

Hosts Zoe Mervine and Hatim Elnueri interview Francisco Cruz, PMA’s Chief Knowledge Officer and Maimi Senior Director, about decision and risk management for this episode of Project Insights. During their discussion, Francisco delved into the intricacies of topics such as the most effective approaches for risk management in capital projects, calibration assessments to avoid bias, and the importance of decision analysis in the early stages of a project. Listen to “Decision and Risk Management” for his take on these invaluable subjects and for additional input on AI in risk management and avoiding project teams’ most common pitfalls.

To kick off the Project Insights series, hosts Zoe Mervine and Hatim Elnueri interview their guest, Ernesto Toxqui, about the future of AI technology. While covering a variety of topics such as the science of AI, its past and present stages, and its place in project management, possibly the most important question they weigh in on (and the one that listeners are probably wondering themselves) is “Will AI take over our jobs?”. Find out the answer to this and more in the very first episode of Project Insights!