The Risky Planner™

Send us Fan MailCanada has committed a trillion dollars in capital investments across nuclear, mining, infrastructure, and LNG. Research on 16,000+ projects says 91.5% of megaprojects exceed budget, schedule, or both — and the overrun pattern in nuclear routinely reaches 100%.Nate and Albert break down why Darlington Unit 4's success does not automatically transfer to Pickering, the Darlington SMR, or Crawford. They cover what politicians are missing when they review project briefings, why Canada has no federal project controls framework equivalent to the US GSA model, and why the definition phase — open right now on most of Canada's major projects — is the highest-leverage window for closing the cost gap before it becomes a political crisis.The enthusiasm is real. The numbers are not. The window to change that is now.Topics covered:00:00 Introduction: Canada's nation-building moment and the Iran context01:10 Globalization reversing: Canada's strategic uncoupling from trade dependencies03:55 Ontario and Canada's capital investment numbers: what's been announced05:20 The trillion-dollar gap: why announced budgets understate actual costs06:35 Darlington Unit 4 and the Dokainish PMO connection08:40 What politicians are actually being told in project briefings09:10 The transferability problem: why past success isn't a guarantee13:25 Knowledge transfer between Darlington and Pickering17:00 Site C, BC Hydro, and the lessons published six months before Ring of Fire breaks ground18:00 The Darlington SMR: first of its kind, no baseline, no reference class21:15 What MPs and ministers are missing: three things26:45 Canada's missing federal project controls framework vs. the US GSA model31:35 Ring of Fire, Crawford, and the infrastructure interdependency problem37:00 Albert's four recommendations for decision makers right nowRead the companion blog post: https://dokainish.com/insights/canada-builds-capital-projects/send us feedback: https://forms.office.com/r/KFCi9aiENHPresented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailThe Strait of Hormuz lost 95% of its traffic in a single week. Oil prices hit $120. Aluminium, urea, LNG, and petrochemical feedstocks are all disrupted simultaneously. Force majeure declarations are cascading from Gulf producers.Nate and Albert break down what the Iran war means for capital project portfolios. They cover the 90 to 180 day procurement lag before repriced commodities hit project budgets, why standard risk registers fail during cascading disruptions, how force majeure propagates through contracting chains, and the three-bucket framework for portfolio triage: accelerate insulated projects, shutter projects that no longer pencil, and replan everything else from the ground up.The estimate from six weeks ago is no longer valid. The market you return to after pausing is not the market you left.Topics covered:00:00 Introduction and indigenous consultation in Canadian capital projects11:55 Episode start: the Iran war and capital project risk16:20 The Strait of Hormuz closure and first decisions for project sponsors17:30 Enterprise risk vs. project risk: who owns geopolitical disruption25:44 The 90 to 180 day procurement lag and real cost impact timeline26:13 Fertilizer, aluminium, and LNG disruptions beyond oil33:37 Cascading system failures: shipping, energy, water infrastructure39:50 Force majeure, claims processes, and war profiteering risk45:49 The wait-and-see trap: why pausing is not a neutral decision50:51 Interest rates, stagflation, and the financing squeeze55:04 Albert's one piece of advice: accelerate, shutter, replanMoose Hide Campaign: https://moosehidecampaign.ca/Listener survey: https://forms.office.com/r/KFCi9aiENHPresented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailA year ago on The Risky Planner, Albert Brier and Nate Habermeyer made a series of predictions about where capital projects were headed.Mining electrification. AI adoption in project controls. Autonomous equipment risk. Data center energy. Nuclear deals. Mega project cost performance.This episode puts each prediction on trial against sourced data from 2025 and early 2026.What you will learn:00:00 Cold Open03:00 News: Belt and Road Initiative hits $213.5B in 2025 construction deals06:00 China's energy advantage and SMR race12:00 Mine electrification: market tripling to $10.51B by 203315:45 Cogeneration: mining companies become power generators17:00 Grid stability as a scheduling dependency22:00 Mining vs. AI: competing for energy26:00 Autonomous haul trucks: near-zero incidents with fleet separation33:00 AI adoption: 12% usage, 29% unprepared, 40% price increase by 202739:00 AI job displacement: 37% of US companies replacing roles43:00 Nuclear for AI: Meta signs 6GW deal in January 202644:00 Data center growth: 14% CAGR, $3T investment by 203048:00 Fiber optic demand: AI data centers need 36x more fiber51:00 Mega projects: 9 out of 10 exceed budget54:00 California High Speed Rail: 59% of segment complete57:00 Advice for project executives on AI-driven planningKey stats from the episode:- Mining equipment electrification: $3.05B to $10.51B by 2033- Each battery electric vehicle: 600 tonnes CO2 reduction/year, 20% productivity increase- Texas power requests nearly quadrupled in 2025, 73% from AI data centers- Meta: multi-gigawatt nuclear deals signed January 2026- AI data centers: 36x more fiber than traditional builds- 109 of 302 AI models had price changes in January 2026- Rail projects: 44.7% average cost overrun- 9 out of 10 mega projects exceed budgetThe Risky Planner is produced by Dokainish & Company.Music by Thompson Egbo-Egbo: egbomusic.comPresented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailHELP PICK FUTURE TOPICS, TAKE OUR SURVEY.Most capital projects do not fail during execution.They fail when early approvals accept uncertainty that later becomes unmanageable.In this long-cut episode of The Risky Planner Podcast, Nate Habermeyer and Albert Brier revisit well-known megaprojects to examine what information was available at the start, what risks were visible, and what teams and executive sponsors could reasonably have challenged before work began.The discussion covers projects that were large, complex, and governed by formal PMOs. Many ultimately delivered assets now considered successful in operation. All experienced severe cost growth and schedule delay.Key themes include:Why early estimates systematically understate cost and durationHow optimism bias shows up in capital project approvalsWhat “first-of-a-kind” risk really looks like in practiceWhy some risks exist in registers but still go underpricedWhat executive sponsors should ask at the first decision gateThis episode is relevant for executive sponsors, PMO leaders, and project controls professionals working in regulated, multi-stakeholder environments where early decisions carry long-term consequences.Listen to understand where leverage actually exists—and why it is highest before construction starts.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailHosts Nate Habermeyer and Albert Brier recorded this finale in person — a first for the show — to reflect on what shaped the world of capital projects in 2025, which episodes hit hardest, and where they're headed in 2026.Season 1 covered ground: AI tools and their real-world limits in project controls. SMs, BIM, climate risk. Tariffs and political uncertainty rippling through supply chains. The most downloaded episode featured live interviews from the AACE conference floor, where Albert spoke with practitioners like Dr. David Hewlett about what's changing in the field.Albert shares a preview of an upcoming AACE paper on program risk management — co-authored with Roger Bradfield and Rachel Fleming. The core problem: most mega-projects are actually programs made up of hundreds of smaller, interrelated projects. Each brings its own risk setup. No consolidated framework exists. Nuclear waste management projects illustrate this perfectly — individually small, collectively worth hundreds of billions, and loaded with scope uncertainty until work begins.The hosts also pull back the curtain on their production setup (a lot of help from Perplexity) and tease plans for 2026: audience polls, feedback loops, and deeper engagement with listeners.This episode is for project controls professionals, schedulers, risk analysts, and anyone tracking where the industry is headed. If you followed Season 1, this wraps the themes together. If you're new, it's a roadmap to what we covered and why it matters.Subscribe now for Season 2. Visit riskyplanner.com to explore every episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn — we want to hear what topics you want covered next.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailYour next billion-dollar capital project faces a single point of failure: the people required to plan and execute it just do not exist.The industry faces a severe labor deficit. Data confirms that 94% of construction contractors cannot fill open project controls positionsAdditionally, 41% of the current workforce will retire by 2031. You cannot hire your way out of this shortage because the talent pool is drying up.In this episode of The Risky Planner, Albert Brier and Nate Habermeyer analyze this deficit. They explain why scheduling and risk analysis require site-specific context that is vanishing as senior experts retire without transferring knowledge.Key insights from this episode:The "Black Magic" of Planning: Effective scheduling is not data entry; it requires specific job-site context to identify risks before they become delays666. Replacing seasoned planners with remote resources removes this context and degrades project intelligence.The AI "Combo" Advantage: AI will not replace the scheduler, but it will expose the unskilled8. Research suggests that professionals who combine their expertise with AI ("Combos") outperform those using only AI or only manual methods.The Multitasking Dilution: Modern schedulers manage 12–15 projects simultaneously, a sharp increase from the historical standard of one dedicated planner per major project10101010. This task-switching reduces planners to data entry clerks doing the minimum required to feed reporting systems.The Risk Premium: Because effective risk management requires mastery of cost, schedule, and scope, qualified risk professionals now command a 20–40% salary premium over general project controls roles.The Strategic Imperative:You must build the talent you cannot find.For Leaders: Stop searching for the perfect senior hire. Budget for the 3–5 years required to train apprentices under your remaining experts.For Juniors: Find a mentor immediately15. Learn the foundational principles from the retiring generation, then apply modern AI tools to become the hybrid professional the market demands.Next Step:Listen to the full episode to restructure your teams before the retirement wave hits your portfolio.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailOffshoring project management works for software development. It fails for capital construction. The difference: the feedback loop between physical site conditions and project control decisions.Albert Brier and Nate Habermeyer examine why remote project management models that succeed in IT create invisible risks on construction sites—risks that surface when projects run months behind and millions over budget.PMI's 2024 Pulse of the Profession report shows remote teams achieving success rates comparable to onsite teams. But that data reflects primarily IT projects where Agile methodologies thrive. Capital construction operates under different constraints.Physical projects face physical realities. Weather delays deliveries. Soil changes scope. Crane availability dictates sequence. A remote project controls team can't see the mud, can't smell diesel smoke when a generator fails, can't overhear the superintendent mention a supplier issue impacting the critical path.The digital layer—dashboards, sensors, drone footage, progress tracking—promises to bridge this gap. But sensors capture data, not context. A camera shows a crane in position, not the operator who noticed a defect and stopped work. A progress app shows 73% complete, not the workaround creating future rework.When project controls professionals lose jobsite knowledge access, planning quality degrades. Offshore schedulers build timelines that look rigorous in Primavera but collapse when field realities intervene. They lack context to challenge unrealistic durations, spot scope creep, or understand how weather will impact concrete pours.This episode breaks down which functions can move offshore—document control, cost coding, baseline schedules—and which require site proximity: critical path analysis, look-ahead planning, resource allocation.Albert shares insights from power stations, refineries, and infrastructure projects where hybrid models tried to balance cost with effectiveness. Most failed because they skipped knowledge transfer protocols. Organizations that succeeded used buddy systems pairing onsite and offshore staff, required site visits for scale perspective, and maintained overlapping hours for real-time problem solving.The conversation addresses an existential risk: the construction industry is raising project managers who have never walked a job site. They build careers managing from spreadsheets, optimizing metrics that don't reflect ground truth. Without field experience, they can't distinguish between a schedule that looks good and one that will work.For executives evaluating offshore strategies, this episode provides critical questions: Which roles require site proximity? How will offshore teams access real-time field intelligence? What knowledge transfer protocols will maintain institutional memory? Can offshore members visit sites during critical phases?Offshoring isn't wrong for capital projects. But applying IT models to construction creates risks that don't appear in cost-benefit analyses. Labor savings show up immediately. The consequences—delays, overruns, quality issues—show up 18 months later when it's too late to recover.Whether you're an executive evaluating proposals, a project controls professional facing restructuring, or a construction leader balancing efficiency with effectiveness, this episode delivers frameworks for deciding where work should happen.Subscribe to The Risky Planner Podcast for insights on capital project controls, risk maPresented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailYour portfolio hits 98% of its spending target. Leadership celebrates. But individual projects tell a different story: delayed scope, panic Q4 purchases, work pushed to next year.Albert Brier and Nate Habermeyer dissect why annualized capital budgets consistently fail to deliver planned value despite meeting spending goals.The data is clear: 20% of projects run behind schedule and 80% over budget. Yet organizations continue locking specific scopes to rigid annual funding windows. When delays hit—and they always do—spending shifts to outer years, creating artificial shortfalls and forcing low-quality purchases to avoid "use it or lose it" budget losses.They outline two proven fixes:Lean and continuous budgeting allocates funds to programs rather than specific projects. Quarterly planning sessions determine which projects to execute based on current conditions. Manufacturing facilities use this approach extensively.Risk-adjusted annual planning maintains project-specific budgets but applies realistic timelines based on historical performance. If projects typically run 30% behind, budget for 9 months instead of 6. Use freed capacity to start additional projects mid-year.The conversation includes anecdotes of ExxonMobil's 25% schedule contingency practices, GAO's Navy shipbuilding research from the 1990s, and refinery debottlenecking program examples.Both approaches require one critical first step: quantify your historical schedule variance. Without data proving current failures, you cannot build the business case for change.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailHear extended interviews from the AACE conference floor with 13 project controls professionals from Hess Corporation, Pattern Energy, and more, and software companies including Safran, Smart PM Technologies, and TurboChart.Direct insights from the interviews:The future of capital projects varies by perspective. Answers ranged from "AI enabled management" (Frank Pangalon) to "integration" (Franco Yasuyama, Pattern Energy) to "dim" (Ian Nicholson, Emerald Associates).California High Speed Rail divides opinion. Some say yes, it'll get built. Others doubt it. David Hewlett notes it's only being built between Fresno and San Jose now, not the original San Diego to Sacramento vision.Excel dominates daily work. Nearly everyone named it as their most-used software, alongside Primavera P6 for scheduling and various collaboration tools like Teams.Actual advice from professionals:Each guest shared one piece of advice for new project managers. The responses focused on mentorship, communication, field experience, and staying curious about new technologies while mastering fundamentals.Claudette Smith: "Find a mentor" ✓Frank Pangalon: "Don't let your young age or your lack of experience stop you from feeling empowered to make right recommendations" ✓David Emanuel: "learn to tell a story from the numbers from the data" ✓Santosh Bhat: "always be curious. Ask questions" ✓Rohit Sinha: "think about how you're going to bring all the data together" ✓Franco Yasuyama: "get in the field" ✓Albert Dokainish conducted these interviews after presenting at the Safran Summit that followed the conference.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailAlbert and Nate talk through a quiet shift happening on capital projects: climate adaptation is no longer a long-term planning exercise — it’s a short-term delivery problem.Schedules that used to anchor around stable permitting windows, predictable summer outages, and long-established build seasons are now under pressure.What project leaders are starting to see:Wildfire season overlapping with outage workPermitting agencies pulling back windows without warning“Summer” no longer guaranteeing dry or safe conditionsDisasters triggering asset failures that disrupt project sequencingThis episode explores how project teams are:Getting caught off guard by compounding seasonal risksLosing float without realizing itPivoting from long-range climate planning to last-minute climate reactingIf you’re still building your schedule around assumptions that no longer hold — this is the episode that forces a rethink.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailAlbert Brier returns from the AACE conference in Anaheim with insights from 13 industry professionals on the future of capital projects. From the dominance of Excel to the rise of AI-enabled scheduling tools, this episode explores how project controls professionals are navigating digital transformation while facing unprecedented uncertainty. Hear firsthand perspectives on whether California's high-speed rail will ever be built, which software tools dominate the industry, and essential advice for newcomers entering the field. Plus, discover why Oracle might be losing its grip on enterprise scheduling and which companies are positioning themselves as the next generation of project controls solutions. Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailLearn how digital twins and BIM technology revolutionize capital project management. Discover implementation strategies, cost benefits, and change management tips for project success. Join Albert and Nate as they explore the cutting-edge world of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins in capital project management. This episode breaks down complex technologies into practical insights for project professionals.Key Learning Points:BIM Fundamentals: Understand what Building Information Modeling really means and how it differs from traditional 2D drawingsDigital Twin Technology: Learn how digital twins create virtual replicas of physical assets for better project planning and executionMulti-Dimensional BIM: Discover 4D (time), 5D (cost), and 6D (maintenance) BIM applications and their real-world benefitsImplementation Strategies: Get practical advice on introducing these technologies without creating expensive digital paperweightsChange Management: Learn how to overcome resistance and ensure successful adoption across project teamsCost Justification: Understand how to measure ROI and prove value to stakeholdersConvergent Technologies: Explore how VR, scanning, and automation integrate with digital twinsSuccess Factors: Identify what separates successful implementations from costly failuresPerfect for: Project managers, project controls professionals, construction executives, and anyone involved in capital project delivery who wants to understand how emerging technologies can improve project outcomes.Q: What is the difference between BIM and digital twins? A: BIM (Building Information Modeling) stores information about built assets, typically including 2D/D drawings and equipment data. Digital twins are highly detailed D models that create virtual replicas of physical objects, allowing you to test scenarios and predict outcomes. Digital twins are essentially BIM models with extensive detail and precision.Q: What are 4D, 5D, and 6D BIM models? A: 4D BIM adds time/scheduling to D models, showing construction progress over time. 5D BIM incorporates cost information, enabling real-time cost tracking and forecasting. 6D BIM includes operations and maintenance data for long-term asset management and capital planning.Q: How do digital twins save money on construction projects? A: Digital twins enable better change control, clash detection, and planning optimization. By identifying issues virtually before construction, projects can reduce costly field changes, improve material routing, and achieve better resource allocation. Case studies show 30-50% cost savings.Q: What industries benefit most from digital twin technology? A: Energy, mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors see significant benefits. The digital twin market is growing twice as fast as the general architectural engineering and construction market, with projected spending of $155 billion by 2030.Q: How do frontline workers benefit from digital twins? A: While workers may still use traditional 2D drawings, the information quality improves dramatically through better planning and clash detection. Digital twins also enable new tools like VR walkthroughs and real-time D model access for complex ceiling spaces and routing.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of "The Risky Planner" podcast, hosts Nate Habermeyer and Albert Brier tackle the pressing issue of uncertainty in capital investments during 2025's volatile economic climate. The hosts discuss how inflation, interest rates, supply chain problems, and trade tensions are creating unprecedented challenges for capital project planning.Albert shares his experience with a major oil company where project cancellation led to significant ripple effects and wasted resources. The conversation explores how companies are responding to uncertainty, with many pausing investments not because opportunities aren't available, but because risk assessment has become increasingly complex.Key topics include:Jerome Powell's warning about higher inflation and slower growthThe impact of tariffs on cross-border procurementHow uncertainty affects project schedules and budgetsStrategies for quantifying and visualizing riskThe importance of corporate-level risk tolerance guidanceThe hosts conclude with practical advice for project executives: while caution is warranted, complete investment freezes can worsen stagflation. Organizations should carefully evaluate which projects might remain profitable despite uncertainty, applying wider uncertainty bands to all projections.Resources mentioned:White paper on quantifying and visualizing project risk: www.dokainish.com/projectriskRisk webinar available https://dokainish.com/project-performance-through-risk-visualization/Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Risky Planner, Nate Habermeyer talks to Albert Brier, who is live from Dubai, where he's leading the setup of a PMO for one of the most ambitious real estate developments in the world. ThSey explore how digital transformation is redefining project management in MENA, with a strong focus on project controls, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management. Albert shares insights on building high-functioning PMOs that move beyond reporting to drive real business value—by staying relevant, flexible, and deeply connected to execution.They dive into:The difference between project management and project controls—and why scale mattersHow business analysts and data maturity play a pivotal role in complex, multi-stakeholder programsCommon pitfalls in PMO implementations (like building systems no one uses)The balance between standardization and customization in PMO frameworksReal-world examples of change management, cost control, and joint venture governance structuresWhether you're a director, manager, or business analyst overseeing large capital projects, this episode delivers practical lessons on aligning PMOs with outcomes that matter.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Risky Planner Podcast, hosts Nate and Albert reunite after Albert's travels to Dubai to discuss the impact of Trump's recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. They explore how these tariffs affect capital projects across various industries, particularly construction and energy infrastructure. Albert provides context about the evolution of tariff threats from earlier blanket proposals targeting countries like Canada and Mexico to the current focus on specific materials. The hosts examine how these tariffs create uncertainty in project planning, potentially causing issues with locked-in pricing, contractor insolvency risks, and the need to recalculate cost estimates. They also discuss alternative construction approaches, such as using cross-laminated timber, that might gain popularity as organizations look to mitigate rising steel costs. Tune in at www.riskyplanner.com to learn how project leaders can navigate this uncertain landscape in capital project management.Here are the key takeaways from the podcast episode:Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports affecting all countriesThese tariffs create significant uncertainty for capital projects that rely on these materialsProjects with locked-in pricing may face contractor change orders or supplier insolvency risksCost estimators will need to revise budgets since current pricing databases don't account for these tariffsEnergy sector projects (data centers, grid infrastructure, renewable energy) face particular challenges as demand growsAlternative materials like cross-laminated timber may see increased adoption as organizations seek alternativesOrganizations face difficult decisions: absorb costs, delay projects, or seek alternative construction methodsLong-term capital planning (5-15 years) becomes more complicated with unpredictable material costsProject leaders should keep options open and consider alternative ways to achieve project goalsThe uncertainty may drive innovation in construction and infrastructure developmentPresented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Risky Planner Podcast, hosts Nate and Albert kick off the new year with reflections on the post-holidays and how AI is reshaping careers in project management and risk analysis.Key Discussion Points:AI as a Force Multiplier: Albert shares his experience using AI tools over the break, discussing how AI is transforming professionals from single-discipline experts to multi-faceted problem-solvers.The Evolution of AI in Project Management: They explore the growing integration of AI in project controls, forecasting, and risk management, highlighting how large language models (LLMs) are just the tip of the iceberg.AI Tools for Productivity: The hosts compare tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude, emphasizing the need for professionals to experiment with AI to maximize efficiency.AI and Job Security: Addressing concerns about job displacement, they argue that AI isn't replacing jobs—it’s the people who effectively leverage AI that are becoming more competitive.Current Gaps in AI for Project Controls: While AI is being integrated into platforms like Jira, Trello, and Asana, there’s still a lack of AI-driven forecasting tools specifically tailored for capital projects.Real-World Use Cases: Albert breaks down how AI can help project professionals with data-driven forecasting, historical trend analysis, and automated risk identification.Security Considerations: The conversation highlights the importance of secure AI tools, particularly for industries dealing with sensitive data, such as nuclear energy and large capital projects.Best Practices for AI Adoption: Nate and Albert emphasize treating AI as a support tool rather than a content generator, using it for brainstorming, refining ideas, and improving workflows.What Listeners Will Learn:How AI is influencing project management, risk assessment, and productivity.The importance of data security when using AI tools.Practical ways to integrate AI into forecasting and risk management.Why professionals who learn to use AI effectively will have a career advantage.Insights into the evolving landscape of AI-enabled project management tools.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Risky Planner Podcast, we dive into the explosive growth of data centers, the energy demands of AI, and how project managers can navigate the complexities of cost control, risk mitigation, and scalability. We explore the "Design One, Build Many" model, investor perspectives on infrastructure risk, and the evolving landscape of AI-powered automation in construction and project management.Join us as we discuss how capital projects in the data center industry are pushing the boundaries of engineering, sustainability, and financial forecasting—while reshaping the future of project management.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Albert and Nate dive into the world of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—what they are, why they matter, and how they could reshape the nuclear energy landscape. They unpack the latest headlines, from Trump's energy policy and SaskNuclear’s ambitious plans to the delays and hurdles facing SMR projects worldwide.Listeners will learn:✅ What makes SMRs a game-changer in energy production✅ Why no SMRs are in commercial use yet and the roadblocks they face✅ How regulations, costs, and politics impact nuclear power adoption✅ A hypothetical roadmap for Saskatchewan to meet its 2029 SMR deployment goalPlus, Albert shares key advice for navigating the challenges of nuclear energy adoption. Don’t miss this insightful, entertaining, and slightly irreverent take on one of the most debated topics in energy today!Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Risky Planner Podcast, Albert and Nate take you inside MINExpo, the largest mining technology expo in the world, where massive, cutting-edge machinery meets the future of electrification and automation. They share their firsthand experiences with autonomous haul trucks, electric shovels, and mining's shift towards sustainability—all while injecting their signature humor (and a few childhood stories).Listeners will learn:✅ How mining tech is evolving—from Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Liebherr's electrification strategies to fully automated haul trucks✅ The risks of mining automation—from maintenance challenges to supply chain vulnerabilities✅ Why electrification is a game-changer for mine sites and how it impacts operational risk✅ What global and systemic risks mean for mining and major capital projectsWhether you're a mining professional, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the future of heavy industry, this episode will entertain, inform, and maybe make you want to visit "Mining Disneyland" yourself! 🎢 ⛏️Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

Send us Fan MailWe’re excited to launch The Risky Planner, a podcast for people who work in capital projects and know how chaotic and high-stakes it can be.This show is for project managers, project controls professionals, risk leaders, and executives. It's for the professionals tired of seeing the same failures repeat on projects with unrealistic budgets, impossible schedules, no real risk visibility. We’ve seen it all, and we’re here to talk about it.What the Podcast CoversEach episode explores a challenge in project planning, delivery, or risk within the context of something timely. We share stories from real projects, offer practical advice, and discuss what actually works. The format is conversational, grounded in experience, and focused on what matters most in capital project success.Who Should ListenIf you work on or oversee capital projects, this podcast is designed for you. That includes PMO leaders, PMs, project controls specialists, and executive sponsors. Even if you're not one of those people, we break down projects so you will learn how big things get built and why they don't.What You Can ExpectHonest conversations about what works and what doesn’tReal examples from large, complex projectsTopics like AI, data centers, PMO design, risk tools, and change management30 to 40 minute episodes with a clear takeawayA mix of practical insight and a few laughs - we're funny guys!We’re here to have real conversations about real problems and what to do about them.Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app or visit riskyplanner.com to listen.Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.comThe Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.