S5E11013 March 2022

S5E110: The Boston Tidal Barrier with Adam Robinson

S5E110

S5E110: The Boston Tidal Barrier with Adam Robinson

0:000:00
100%

In this week’s pod, we welcomed Adam Robinson to talk about the Boston Barrier. Adam has been working on the Boston Barrier scheme since December 2014, a year after the east coast surge which flooded 800 properties and businesses in Boston. He has been an integral part of the Clients delivery team in ensuring the timely submission of the Full Business Case and HMT Green book financial submission as well as the Boston Barrier Transport and Works Act Order 2017 application. He has led on the delivery of the main legal agreements with all key stakeholders and with his communication’s team on local community engagement prior to and during the Public Inquiry which occurred in 2017. Adam has continued to lead the scheme throughout the delivery phase maintaining corporate leadership continuity on the project to ensure that the project, which is an Environment Agency priority scheme, delivered its 5% target towards the last six year corporate target of better protecting 300,000 homes better by March 2021. In 2021 Adam was named as one of 27 civil engineers recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers as a Carbon Champion for his work leading on reducing carbon emissions on the scheme. The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: The Boston Barrier Tidal Flood Defence Scheme is a £100m project for the Environment Agency, delivered by BMMJV (a joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald), to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to 14,300 properties and businesses in Boston, Lincolnshire. Boston is located on the east coast of the United Kingdom off The Wash and has a history of tidal surges. The project will reduce the risk of tidal flooding against an event of 1 in 300, or an annual exceedance probability of 0.33% of flooding for the 100 year project lifespan. The Boston Barrier is the first major construction project undertaken by the Environment Agency to map project outcomes against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) Here are some links to the topics we discussed: Case Study – Boston Barrier - https://waterprojectsonline.com/custom_case_study/boston-barrier-2021/ Hyperlink to LinkedIn post showing the timelapse construction: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6717472772433559552/ Institution of Civil Engineers Boston Barrier landing page: Boston Barrier Scheme | Institution of Civil Engineers (ice.org.uk) Open paper on the Boston Barrier re: climate change and social outcomes published last year and not behind a pay wall: Boston tidal barrier, UK: adapting to climate change and delivering social outcomes | Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering (icevirtuallibrary.com) Boston Barrier first closure: https://fb.watch/bH8tlKdc6D/ Boston Barrier installation: https://fb.watch/bH7DarAGbX Boston site flyover: https://twitter.com/BostonBarrierEA/status/1446431284239257613 Tune in next week when we’re joined by the presenters at the EVA26 event led by Steve Wake. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website. You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: JustDo - https://www.justdo.com/ PlanAcademy - https://www.planacademy.com/chatter/ ($75 off any course) InEight - https://ineight.com/ Prosci - https://empower.prosci.com/project-ch... (FREE resource kit) Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Blockchain #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture #ProjectCertifications linkedin.comlinkedin.com Sign Up | LinkedIn 500 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil EngineeringProceedings of the Institution of Ci

Guest

Adam Robinson

Adam Robinson

Project Director - Boston Barrier at Environment Agency

Adam has been working on the Boston Barrier scheme since December 2014, a year after the east coast surge which flooded 800 properties and businesses in Boston. He has been an integral part of the Clients delivery team in ensuring the timely submission of the Full Business Case and HMT Green book financial submission as well as the Boston Barrier Transport and Works Act Order 2017 application. He has led on the delivery of the main legal agreements with all key stakeholders and with his communication’s team on local community engagement prior to and during the Public Inquiry which occurred in 2017. Adam has continued to lead the scheme throughout the delivery phase maintaining corporate leadership continuity on the project to ensure that the project, which is an Environment Agency priority scheme, delivered its 5% target towards the last six year corporate target of better protecting 300,000 homes better by March 2021. In 2021 Adam was named as one of 27 civil engineers recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers as a Carbon Champion for his work leading on reducing carbon emissions on the scheme.

Connect

Related Episodes

More conversations on similar topics

S9E205

S9E205: Replicability of the Montreal REM Model with Riccardo Cosentino

In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, hosts Val and Dale engage with Riccardo Cosentino to explore the unique aspects of the REM project in Canada, a public-private partnership (PPP) model that has garnered attention for its innovative funding and governance structure. Riccardo shares insights into the project's background, the role of the Quebec pension fund as a project sponsor, and the implications of risk management and return calculations. The conversation delves into the importance of early stakeholder involvement, the challenges of public opinion, and the potential for replicating this model in other sectors. Throughout the discussion, the significance of governance, long-term perspectives, and the necessary skill sets for project professionals are emphasized, providing valuable takeaways for listeners interested in infrastructure projects and PPPs. Takeaways The REM project is a unique public-private partnership model. Risk management is crucial in financing infrastructure projects. The obligation to repay investments can shift from taxpayers to private entities. Calculating returns involves considering ridership and land value capture. Contingency planning is integrated into the rate of return. Early involvement of stakeholders leads to better project outcomes. Governance structures can significantly impact project success. Long-term perspectives are essential for managing infrastructure investments. Curiosity and risk-taking are important traits for project professionals. The REM model could be applied to other sectors beyond transportation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 03:24 Understanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) 06:11 The REM Project Overview 08:56 Funding and Risk Management in the REM Project 11:55 Calculating Returns and Land Value Capture 14:33 Governance and Project Delivery 17:21 Long-Term Perspectives and Lifecycle Management 22:47 Changing Dynamics in Project Management 24:35 Governance and Change Management in Projects 26:38 Replicating Successful Project Models 29:08 Applying the Model Beyond Rail Projects 31:07 Reporting Mechanisms and Governance Structures 33:55 Skill Sets for Successful Project Delivery 35:39 Advice for Aspiring Project Professionals 37:27 Resilience in Today's Project Challenges 39:40 Future of the CDPQ Model and Its Replicability

Listen Now
S8E197

S8E197: Engaging the Next Generation of Risk Managers with Seyi Daniyan

This episode proudly sponsored by Deltek. n this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Dale and Martin welcome Seyi Daniyan, a project risk manager, who shares her career journey from chemical engineering to risk management. The conversation explores the importance of attracting young talent to the field, the fundamental concepts of risk management, and the skills necessary for success in this profession. Seyi emphasises the need for curiosity, effective communication, and the ability to influence others. The discussion also touches on the future of risk management roles and the evolving nature of the profession in response to technological advancements. In this engaging conversation, Dale and Seyi explore the evolving landscape of risk management, emphasising the need for decision analysts to evaluate project decisions effectively. They discuss the concept of reference class forecasting, the challenges of navigating financial discussions in risk workshops, and the lessons learned from the pandemic that reshaped risk management practices. The integration of AI in risk management is highlighted as a transformative tool, while the importance of engaging younger professionals and gamifying risk management processes is also addressed. Seyi shares insights on making risk management relatable and fun, ultimately encouraging open dialogue and mentorship in the field. Takeaways Shaye Danian transitioned from chemical engineering to project risk management. There is a significant lack of young professionals in project risk management. Risk management involves managing uncertain events, both positive and negative. Effective risk management can lead to projects being completed on time and within budget. Curiosity is a key trait for successful risk managers. Communication and influencing skills are essential in risk management. Graduate schemes should provide a solid foundation in project management. Risk management roles may evolve with advancements in technology. Understanding the different facets of project management is crucial for risk managers. Everyone engages in risk management in their daily lives. The need for decision analysts to evaluate project decisions. Reference class forecasting can enhance decision-making. Risk workshops should involve the right stakeholders. The pandemic highlighted gaps in traditional risk management. AI can revolutionize risk management practices. Engaging younger professionals is crucial for the future of the field. Gamification can make risk management more relatable. Food and informal settings can ease risk discussions. Understanding the difference between risks and issues is vital. Mentorship is important for newcomers in risk management.

Listen Now
S6E150

S6E150: Project Controls in Design & Engineering stages with Paul Waskett

In this week’s pod, we were joined by Paul Waskett to discuss Project Controls in design and engineering stages. Paul is a Director of Adept Management where he takes responsibility for the development of their Project Controls tools and services, as well as supporting clients and projects across the construction industry. Since 2014, Paul has been supporting two major rail projects. He is a Mechanical Engineer by background and has over 20 years’ experience in Design Management and Project Controls. In addition, Paul has spent time working in central government, where he managed a construction innovation budget, and as a researcher where he developed some of Adept Management's innovative approaches to design planning and management.  The main topics we discussed on the podcast were as follows: There is generally more scrutiny on the construction part of a design and build contract however both need equal attention in order to manage projects effectively Design planning is not as linear as other types of programmes. There are generally more interdependencies and iterations of designs Build a WBS and identify relevant activities and inputs before starting the planning process As the project is delivered, the Last Planner System can be used to monitor progress Using % complete to measure design progress can be difficult to implement consistently Working from home has made it more difficult to promote communication and problem solving in major projects as the relevant stakeholders are not collaborating as often as they would in an office based environment Earned Value Management only works when rules of credit are in place and all stakeholders are aware of the limitations of it being the sole measure of progress Digital twin can help engineers to assess the effect of what may seem like a small scale change on a design It is prudent to have a sole interface between engineering and project management in order to deliver a consistent message One of the key challenges for Engineering Managers is to get the “commitment” from the engineering team(s) to deliver to a specified date or budget Here are links to some of the topics we discussed: The Latham Report – Constructing The Team: https://constructingexcellence.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Constructing-the-team-The-Latham-Report.pdf Adept Management: https://www.adeptmanagement.com/ Last Planner System: https://leanconstructionblog.com/What-is-the-Last-Planner-System.html Join us next week when we speak to Tony Welch to discuss five levers for change. For more information, blogs or to support our charities visit www.projectchatterpodcast.com If you'd like to sponsor the podcast get in touch via our website.You can also leave us a voice message via our anchor page and let us know if there's something or someone specific that you would like on the podcast. Proudly sponsored by: https://www.justdo.com/ https://ineight.com/ Stay safe, be disruptive and have fun doing it! #ProjectManagement #Engineering #PMO #ProjectControls #Leadership #Culture

Listen Now

Enjoyed this episode?

Subscribe to never miss a conversation with project experts