On the reg How big things get done (or not)
Projects Share Predictable Failure Patterns
- Big projects (like PhDs or infrastructure) share failure patterns that reveal systemic causes, not just individual slacking.
- Classifying project types and risks helps predict timelines and design better contingencies.
Hot Cross Bun Off Tradition
- Jason runs an annual Hot Cross Bun Off with blind taste scoring and a trophy that winners add to each year.
- Homemade buns consistently beat shop-bought ones and the trophy even broke during handover.
Fat-Tail Timelines Increase Risk
- Many project classes follow fat-tail time distributions so a few cases stretch completion far beyond averages.
- Fat tails make projects inherently riskier and push averages outward unpredictably.
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Inger's dusty in this episode, after an epic David Lodge style dinner party the night before, but her blood pressure is the best her doctor has seen in years. By the time you listen to this she'll be in Cambridge, punting or something.
Jason didn't win the annual hot cross bun off, but did invite Inger into the WhatsApp group so she could share the fun this year. There is also an unexpectedly long digression about workplace exploitation, so - a normal catch up.
There was nothing in the mailbag! [28:53] (although we did get a bunch of letters the day after we recorded this, so some of you still love us- thank you).
In the work problems segment [30:47] we talk about the new book from Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner called 'How big things get done', which Inger partially distilled into a Discussion Guide. It's an excellent book and Inger sees a lot of cross overs between how high speed rail projects fail and the length of time most people take to get a PhD. Enough crossovers at least to get on her ranty high horse, like - a lot. Jason listens patiently while she has All The Feelings about the PhD. Again.
Moving on. Jason's been reading The Upside of irrationality, while Inger's been reading Navy SEALS romances (again) [1:14:06].
The real surprise is left for the end of this episode: the 2 minute tips section [1:17:37] which turns into an epic, agonised conversation about just how much of our jobs to delegate to ChattieG and the future of the university. It's heavy.
You may need a drink or four, just like Inger did the night before.
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