Olympics to AI: Clint Padgett’s Playbook for Project Success

Aug 15, 2025

Clint Padgett, CEO of Project Success, shares his fascinating journey from a Navy veteran to a leader in project management, overseeing Coca-Cola's Olympic projects since 1996. He highlights the critical elements of project success—budget, time, and quality—while emphasizing the importance of human connection over digital communication. Clint discusses the evolving role of AI in project management and the exciting future potential of robotics in the field. He also touches on the joys of scuba diving, showcasing his pursuit of peace amidst the chaos of work.

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ANECDOTE

Unplanned Journey To Global Projects

Clint's career path shifted unexpectedly from rural South Carolina to global events after Navy service and engineering school.
He joined Project Success to work on Coca-Cola's Olympic activations and stayed for 30+ years building a training and consulting firm.

INSIGHT

Clear Definition Of Project Success

Clint defines project success as delivering on agreed time, budget, and quality specifications.
He separates project execution success from broader business strategy decisions about whether the project should exist.

ADVICE

Escalate When Business Case Changes

Raise concerns with sponsors and stakeholders when the business environment changes or project justification shifts.
Re-evaluate financial justification and be prepared to kill a project if it no longer makes business sense.

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In this episode, Clint Padgett, CEO of Project Success, shares his journey from the Navy to leading a successful project management consulting firm.

He discusses the importance of defining project success through budget, time, and quality, and explores the role of AI in project management.

Clint emphasises the human element in communication and the need for personal connections in project delivery. He also addresses the future of project management with robotics and the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Takeaways

Clint Padgett's journey from the Navy to project management is unique and inspiring.
Project Success focuses on training and consulting in project management.
A successful project is defined by being on time, within budget, and meeting quality specifications.
AI is not yet widely adopted in project management but has potential benefits.
Communication is crucial in project management, and face-to-face conversations are often more effective than emails.
AI can assist with data analysis but should not replace human judgment.
Building personal connections within teams enhances accountability and project success.
The future of project management may involve a robot-augmented workforce.
Critical thinking skills are essential in the age of AI and technology.
Clint's passion for scuba diving reflects his desire for peace and disconnect from work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Clint Padgett
02:50 Clint's Journey to Project Management
05:35 Defining Project Success
08:27 The Role of AI in Project Management
11:20 Human Element in Project Management
13:58 Communication Challenges in Projects
17:00 AI's Potential in Project Delivery
19:49 Conclusion and Future of Project Management
26:15 AI in Project Management: A New Approach
29:26 The Role of Human Intuition in AI-Driven Planning
31:19 Critical Thinking vs. AI: Finding the Balance
35:04 The Future of Robotics in Construction
39:00 Communication in a Tech-Driven World
41:24 Overcoming Stagnation: Strategies for Progress
43:04 Exploring Passions: The Importance of Balance

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