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The Project Chatter Podcast

The Project Chatter Podcast

Dale Foong and Val Matthews 221 Episodes Jun 26, 2026

Project Chatter is a podcast where project professionals, specialists, and experts discuss the latest trends in project management and PMO. Hosts Val and Dale share tried and tested best practices and unfiltered thoughts about the industry. The show aims to help listeners progress their careers, improve project controls skills, or simply enjoy the banter between an Aussie and a South African.

Episodes

S10E220: Is Project Controls Behind on AI? | Yash Desai, Movar Reply Jun 26, 2026 01:05:00 Most data scientists have never touched a project. Yash Desai looked at the project controls world through the data first, and what he found says a lot about why this industry lags behind others on AI.In Episode 220, Dale is joined by returning co-host Martin and first-time guest Yash Desai, Head of Data and AI at Movar Reply, for a practical conversation on where data, AI and robotics actually fi
S10E219: Why 88% of Schedules Fail, and What AI Still Can't Fix with Michael Pink Jun 17, 2026 00:55:41 88% of project schedules don't follow best practice. So why are we so keen to feed that data into AI and trust the output?In this episode, Dale and Val are joined by Michael Pink, Founder of SmartPM, for a sharp conversation on the forensic side of delay and the state of AI in project controls.Mike has analysed hundreds of thousands of schedules and built a career on working out who delayed what,
S10E218: Breaking into the job market in the age of AI, with Nick Chizuka Jun 11, 2026 00:55:58 Top of his MBA class at the University of Bath, technically sharp, and still firing out 20 to 30 applications a day with little to show for it. Nick Chizuka joins Dale and Val for an honest conversation about what it takes to land a role in project controls and consulting right now, and why the rise of AI has made the graduate market tougher than it was even a year ago.It is a candid look at the g
S10E217: Lisa Silander on 30 Years in UK Project Controls May 1, 2026 00:55:14 Dale and Val are joined by Lisa Silander, Global Practice and UK Technical Lead for Project Controls at AtkinsRéalis.With 30 years leading planning and project controls teams across aviation, rail, water, manufacturing, and nuclear, Lisa has shaped delivery on some of the UK's most demanding capital programmes including Heathrow Terminal 5, Heathrow Q6, the Heathrow Expansion Project, Thames W
S10E216: CaSA Digital Community of Practice Fight Night Apr 22, 2026 00:42:54 We recently hosted the Controls and Skills Authority Digital Community of Practice Fight Night in Birmingham. This lively panel debate explores the impact of AI on project delivery, jobs, and industry practices. Experts challenge the notion that AI is just a tool or a threat, examining cultural, technical, and structural factors shaping AI adoption in construction and beyond.3 FightsCulture is the
S10E215: AI Regulation - Navigating the Future of Responsible Innovation with Isabela Parisio Apr 3, 2026 01:21:59 In this episode, Isabela Parisio, a legal expert in AI regulation, shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of regulating artificial intelligence. Topics include regulatory sandboxes, definitions of AI, accountability, privacy, military applications, and the future of AI governance. Key TopicsRegulatory sandboxes for AI testingDefinitions and scope of AIAccountability and liability in A
S10E214: Understanding the Complexity of Modern Data Centers with Dr Atif Ansar Mar 20, 2026 00:56:49 In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Val and Dale welcome Atif Ansar, co-founder of Foresight, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of data centers. Atif shares insights on the explosive growth and increasing complexity of data centers, highlighting the challenges related to energy supply, skilled labor, and technology redundancy. The conversation explores the role of AI in enhancing d
S10E213: Unmasking Watermelon Projects: How to Achieve True Transparency in Projects with Dave Lockley Mar 6, 2026 00:45:03 In this episode, project delivery expert Dave Lockley shares insights on transforming complex change portfolios into measurable business value, the pitfalls of watermelon projects, and how technology can improve project transparency and decision-making.Key TopicsWatermelon projects and transparencyThe role of technology and AI in project managementLeadership and decision-making in projectsChapters
S10E212: Building a Project Control-Friendly Culture with Rod Whiting Feb 2, 2026 00:54:15 In this episode of the Project Chatter podcast, Dale engages with Rod Whiting, a seasoned expert in project controls, who shares his extensive journey in the field since 1983. Rod discusses the evolution of project controls, emphasizing the importance of a project control-friendly culture within organizations. He highlights how understanding and valuing project controls can significantly impact pr
S10E211: AI and Change Management - A New Era with Vincent Marsicano Jan 17, 2026 00:59:04 In this episode of Project Chatter, hosts Dale and Val welcome Vincent Marsicano, CEO of Adopt It, to discuss the intersection of change management and technology. Vincent shares his unique background, which includes a PhD in physics and extensive experience in change management, emphasizing the importance of human-centered leadership in navigating organizational change. The conversation delves in
S9E210: Healthy Habits for Busy Project Professionals with Becky Holliday Dec 17, 2025 00:58:17 Dale flies solo (briefly!) to close out 2025 and welcomes first-time podcast guest Becky Holliday - a project manager turned health coach. Becky shares how redundancy in October 2023 became the catalyst for a career pivot, and why she now helps busy professionals (especially women) build sustainable health habits. Val drops in mid-episode and the conversation expands into discipline vs motivation,
S9E209: Unlocking the Power of Reality Capture with Derek Lawrence Dec 5, 2025 00:57:04 In this episode, Dale Foong discusses the fascinating world of reality capture with expert Derek Lawrence. They explore Derek's journey into the field, the various applications of reality capture in project management, and the integration of AI in this technology. The conversation also delves into the barriers to adoption, real-world use cases, and the future of reality capture, including its

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