Afford Anything

How BIG Things Get Done, with Dr. Bent Flyvberg

Feb 23, 2023

53:16

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Episode guests

Bent Flyvberg

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Quick takeaways

Efficiency in projects is improved by standardization and modularity, making complex projects more manageable.

Combat cognitive biases and plan thoroughly to ensure successful project execution.

Deep dives

Efficiency Through Modularity and Standardization

Efficiency in projects is often achieved through standardization and modularity. Complex and bespoke projects tend to encounter more challenges than those built with standardized building blocks. The key lies in making projects less unique and more analogous to assembling Legos, where standardized parts can be easily connected. This approach simplifies the execution and leads to more predictable outcomes.

Estimating Project Budgets Wisely

01:25

Success is the Result of Deliberate and Thoughtful Action

01:59

Efficiency through Standardization and Learning Curve

01:35

Choosing the Right People for a Project

01:29

Introduction

2min

The Difference Between Successful and Unsuccessful Projects

2min

Kitchen Remodeling - How to Avoid the Fate of a Couple in Your Book

3min

Choosing the Right Experts Is a Skill Set

2min

Why You Shouldn't Turn to Inexperienced People to Build High Speed Rail

2min

Is There a Bias for Not Thinking?

3min

How to Track Your Net Worth for Free

2min

The Psychology of Estimating Kitchen Remodel Costs

4min

How Random Kitchen Renovations Can Be More Informational Than Random Estimation

5min

10.

Is Our Psychology Tripping Us Up?

4min

11.

Thinking Slow Is the Antidote to Failure

3min

12.

What Happens if You Don't Think Slow and Act Fast

2min

13.

The Secret to the Success of a Project in Nepal

3min

14.

How Do You Avoid Grafts and Other Personnel Issues?

2min

15.

Nepalese Earthquake Proofing

2min

16.

Building a Building in Nepal

2min

17.

You Are Your Biggest Risk

2min

18.

The Biggest Risk Is You, Dr. Flubia

2min

19.

Kitchen Remodeling - Key Takeaway Number Two

2min

20.

Key Takeaway Number Two: Thinking Slow

2min

21.

Dr. Bent Flubia - Three Key Takeaways From Today's Episode

2min

#429: Have you ever thought about remodeling a kitchen? Retrofitting a camper van for #vanlife? Converting your basement into an Airbnb? Building a custom website? Recording an album?

Did you worry that this project will cost more and take longer than you expected?

This episode is all about how to complete projects on-time and under budget.

Today's guest, Dr. Bent Flyvberg, is an Oxford University professor with a Ph.D. in urban geography. He’s published more than 200 scholarly articles on megaproject planning and management, decision-making, and social science methodology. He’s written or edited 10 books, including recently co-authoring “How Big Things Get Done.”

He shares examples ranging from the Sydney Opera House to Pixar movies to the California High Speed Rail, illustrating why some projects flourished while others flopped.

He joins us on today’s episode and talks to us about why some projects succeed while others turn into colossal disasters. He offers tips for how we can apply lessons from megaprojects to our own lives.

Enjoy!

Timing of discussion points as of February 2023:

02:19: Why are some projects on time and under budget and others aren’t?

03:24: The difference between successful and unsuccessful projects

07:38: Which questions do you ask when you’re choosing someone to work with on the project?

11:44: How cognitive biases and power dynamics and influence project outcomes

24:22: Why people forsake common sense when it comes to big projects

29:34: How to plan and iterate, knowing that things will change

39:26: The biggest risk to projects

For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode429

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Afford Anything

How BIG Things Get Done, with Dr. Bent Flyvberg

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Efficiency Through Modularity and Standardization

Importance of Planning and Seeking Expertise

Counteracting Cognitive Biases for Project Success

Estimating Project Budgets Wisely

Success is the Result of Deliberate and Thoughtful Action

Efficiency through Standardization and Learning Curve

Choosing the Right People for a Project

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts