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Analytical

The Engineered Network 49 Episodes Sep 12, 2026

Analytical is a podcast from The Engineered Network that explores careful, deliberate analysis. It encourages listeners to think through choices with calculation and consideration. The title and tagline suggest a focus on methodical reasoning and examining topics in depth. It is an English-language show aimed at listeners who enjoy thoughtful discussion.

Episodes

48: Mismanagement Sep 12, 2026 00:14:42 Managing a team isn't a skill you're born with...it takes practice and mistakes will be made along the way. I dive into 5 big things to consider to avoid mismanagement of your team as I reflect on three decades of standing on all sides of all fences.With John Chidgey.Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto an

47: Hope Jun 3, 2026 00:07:51 Are people that hope, delusional? Or is it a super-power for remaining calm, Zen and staying positive against all odds? In a somewhat touchy-feely episode of Analytical we look at what it means to hope and why hope matters.With John Chidgey.Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.Episode Silver Produ

46: Leadership Jun 2, 2025 00:07:48 Some Managers can manage. Some Leaders can lead. Some can do both...but what does it mean to truly be a Leader? More importantly, do you actually need to be hired and told you're a leader...or can you just step up...and Lead?With John Chidgey.Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r', Steven Bridle and Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto.Episode Silver Producers:

45: Fact Mar 21, 2025 00:06:11 With the advent of Machine Learning and Large Language Models, the temptation is to use existing search engines AI results to find facts to inform us about something. We dive into the differences between Truth and Fact and in this context, whether you should trust what the Search engines tell you.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Fact vs Truth AI Edition Support Analytical on Patre

44: Value Aug 20, 2023 00:06:33 The concept of value has always struck me as odd. Let's pull apart what it actually means, how human it is, and what actually matters when thinking about value.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Value Definition Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill

43: Silence May 31, 2021 00:07:52 When attempting to gather consensus, assuming that silence means consent might not be the best way to get the right outcome. We look at how to be open, respectful and what consensus really requires.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Silence is Golden Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode Gold Producers: 'r' and Chip Salzenberg.Episode Silver Producers:

42: Activity Jun 18, 2020 00:13:04 Showing activity is considered by many to be THE critical pre-requisite to managing their teams productivity. What if they're wrong?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Analytical Episode 23: Metrics Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode Gold Producer: 'r'.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Joseph Antonio, Kevin Koch, Oliver S

41: Crisis Apr 3, 2020 00:08:43 The Coronavirus, COVID19, SARS-CoV-2, is the biggest global crisis many generations have faced. Through our increasingly enforced social distancing and isolation, I've witnessed something unexpected that's not what you think.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Join The Engineered Network Slack Support Analytical on PatreonEpisod

40: Pivot Apr 12, 2019 00:12:04 Whilst Pivot is a more recent terminology often used in the context of a startup, it applies equally to many aspects of our lives, our endeavours or our own groups within companies of all sizes. We look at when, how, why and importantly if you should pivot and what the cost might be if you do.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: The Truth About A Startup Pivot Support Analytical on Pa

39: Influence Apr 1, 2019 00:12:02 When you're asked to direct a group of people sometimes you aren't their direct manager. In those cases you're expected to influence without authority. We look at how it's different, why it's hard and how you can go about it.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: 5 Ways To Influence Without Authority Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Clubhouse:

38: Ideas Mar 1, 2019 00:11:17 Steve Jobs once said, the best ideas have to win. We unpack what that actually means in practice and ultimately look at how you can tell what the best idea actually can look like.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Analytical Episode 2: Confpetence Steve Jobs at D8 Conference 2010 Quote - 62:35 Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Clubhouse: Looking for an

37: Owner Feb 18, 2019 00:13:45 When you're delivering a project understanding who the actual owner is or owners are is crucial. We look at how to figure that out, and how to tell projects that can't figure that out.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Project Owner Definition Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Clubhouse: Looking for an easy to use software development project m

36: Familiarity Jan 21, 2019 00:11:56 We dive into why familiarity seems to breed contempt, why first impressions are the most misleading and demonstrate my Latin is terrible.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Apuleius Familiarity Breeds Contempt Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Clubhouse: Looking for an easy to use software development project management solution that everyone in an orga

35: Competency Jan 12, 2019 00:14:50 In every broad discipline it's become impossible for one person to be competent in all aspects. Organisationally speaking, we look at how we could ensure a collective competency is maintained.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: The Four Oxen and the Lion Control System Space: Nobody is Competent, We Are All Human Analytical Episode 2: Confpetence Support Analytical on PatreonEpis

34: Care Dec 31, 2018 00:11:37 There's always something that someone expects you to care about, but the dimensions of care we put our energy into can make or break us.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Care Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Many Tricks: If you’re looking for some Mac software that can do Many Tricks remember to specifically visit the URL below for more inf

33: Sinking Dec 21, 2018 00:12:41 Looking at how maintenance teams function can reveal a lot about the system they're maintaining. We dive in the consequences of poor design and long term operational costs.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Teamwork Metrics Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Many Tricks: If you’re looking for some Mac software that can do Many Tricks remember

32: Cloud Dec 11, 2018 00:14:30 With operational technology relying more and more on desktop computer platforms for control and monitoring, just how much can be put in the cloud safely?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Looking Down from the Clouds Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Many Tricks: If you’re looking for some Mac software that can do Many Tricks remember to specific

31: Self Nov 9, 2018 00:12:05 Understanding yourself and self reflection can be good thing, but it can go too far. How far is far enough and how do you know when to stop?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Self-Awareness What is Self-Awareness and Why Does it Matter? Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Many Tricks: If you’re looking for some Mac software that can do Many Tricks

30: Lists Sep 28, 2018 00:09:58 Lists can be a great way of tracking things to do and random thoughts and ideas. But if they're abused they can drag you down into list-hell.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: The Duchess of Padua Support Analytical on Patreon

29: Purpose Sep 14, 2018 00:08:37 Purpose and Passion are inter-related but in ways that might not be obvious at first glance. We unpack why purpose is critical and how it changes everything.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Pragmatic Episode 10 Passion Over Academic Proof Support Analytical on Patreon

28: Tools Jul 13, 2018 00:11:11 Some people are obsessed with the tools they use to get the job done. How much better is the best tool vs the right tool and how much time should be spend seeking out the perfect tool for the job?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Gear Acquisition Syndrome Support Analytical on Patreon

27: Creators May 18, 2018 00:12:32 There are creators, consumers and regurgitators of knowledge and information. Which and you? And why I think you should spend at some of your time creating something.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Creativity Definition Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Makers4Good: Makers4Good are an innovative company based in Palo Alto, California and they’ve rec

26: Risk Apr 20, 2018 00:17:07 Risk assessments are a critical part of engineering, but overly sensitive ones can paralyse an organisation. We look at how to make risk assessments useful and how to avoid some of the pitfalls.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Risk definition Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Makers4Good: Makers4Good are an innovative company based in Palo Alto, Cali

25: Nostalgia Apr 8, 2018 00:12:55 What do Vinyl and CDs and Candles and LED Bulbs share in common? We explore the differences between better, and simple nostalgia.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Is the sound on vinyl records better than on CDs or DVDs? Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Makers4Good: Makers4Good are an innovative company based in Palo Alto, California and they’ve rece

24: Feedback Mar 22, 2018 00:16:13 Giving and accepting feedback to and from your manager or direct reports or even your peers is sometimes a missed opportunity. We explore how to make feedback useful again.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Ad nauseam Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Makers4Good: Makers4Good are an innovative company based in Palo Alto, California and they’ve recently

23: Metrics Mar 2, 2018 00:10:20 Metrics can be very useful if they are carefully chosen. Badly chosen metrics can do more harm than good, so how can you tell the difference?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Metrics Definition Support Analytical on Patreon

22: Teamwork Feb 18, 2018 00:11:09 Teamwork is often thrown around as a concept, but do we each really understand whether we're team players or not? What will you choose?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Teamwork Definition Support Analytical on Patreon

21: Rugs Dec 15, 2017 00:10:41 Have you ever heard the expression, to have the rug pulled out from under you? Life does that to us all and sometimes you can do it to others without realising.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Pull The Rug Out Support Analytical on Patreon

20: Music Dec 1, 2017 00:10:46 Music can connect us to the emotions of others and ourselves yet so many of us won't give all it has to offer a chance. We explore how it help and why it's amazing.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Music Support Analytical on Patreon

19: Effort Sep 29, 2017 00:11:02 Effort put into a team effort can steer the end result. If it’s good, that’s great! But what if it’s not?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Effort Definition Support Analytical on Patreon

18: Meetings Sep 8, 2017 00:15:43 Meetings can be valuable, but they can also be a huge waste of time. What kind of meetings will you hold?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Yes Prime Minister Meeting minutes: 1min 45sec into clip from Episode S02E01 Man Overboard Support Analytical on Patreon

17: Time Jul 28, 2017 00:09:25 There never seems to be enough time to get through everything that needs to be done. Or is there actually enough time and you're just looking at it wrong?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Marty McFly - Movie Quotes Support Analytical on Patreon

16: Perspective Jul 7, 2017 00:12:03 Getting perspective is one of those ideas that takes something quite complicated and condenses it into a singular expression. Let's unpack that and get some perspective on getting perspective.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Perspective Definition Support Analytical on Patreon

15: Downtime Jun 16, 2017 00:11:25 What is downtime really? And just as importantly how about downspace?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Personal Space Downtime Definition Support Analytical on Patreon

14: Constraints May 29, 2017 00:13:30 Constraints foster creativity apparently. Let's explore how if that's actually true and if the concept can help us.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Creative Definition Support Analytical on PatreonEpisode sponsor:Many Tricks: If you’re looking for some Mac software that can do Many Tricks remember to specifically visit the URL below for more infor

13: Perfect Apr 7, 2017 00:10:07 Is it possible to create something perfect with an unchallengeable criteria, or are you just wasting your time?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Perfect is the Enemy of Good Support Analytical on Patreon

12: Better Mar 17, 2017 00:09:44 How people justify the idea that anything you can do, I can do better is questionable at best.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Anything You Can Do Support Analytical on Patreon

11: Inspiration Feb 24, 2017 00:09:59 Are all people, events or places constructively inspirational or are they distractionally inspirational, and how we can tell which to explore.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Inspiration Meaning Andy Thomas Support Analytical on Patreon

10: Honesty Feb 3, 2017 00:10:49 If someone says that they're about to be honest with you, beyond its overuse as an expression, does that actually mean they're being honest?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Honest Definition Support Analytical on Patreon

9: Focus Dec 30, 2016 00:25:07 When you're trying to get something done, John's Hierarchy of Focus is how I shut out the noise and get things done.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Focusing Means Saying No John’s Hierarchy of Focus Support Analytical on Patreon

8: Authority Dec 16, 2016 00:10:51 When asked at a self improvement course what Authority meant, the answer they got wasn't what they bargained for.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Authority Support Analytical on Patreon

7: Winning Dec 4, 2016 00:08:22 Winning or losing are concepts taken from games. When you think you've won or lost an opportunity, is it really winning or losing?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Winning Support Analytical on Patreon

6: Advancement Oct 7, 2016 00:10:00 Advancement in an organisation isn't a straight-forward thing and there's no one easy answer, but if you want to give yourself the best chance, I have some suggestions.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Performance Appraisal Support Analytical on Patreon

5: Teachers Sep 23, 2016 00:09:06 Teachers and teaching is an undervalued skill set and I try to correct a somewhat dismissive mangled old adage.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Man and Superman Support Analytical on Patreon

4: Jerks Aug 12, 2016 00:11:32 Beyond the ad-hominem nature of dismissing another persons ideas because you think they're a jerk, what does this behaviour tell us about ourselves, and who's the actual jerk?With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Ad Hominem Support Analytical on Patreon

3: Give Them What They Want Jul 29, 2016 00:10:52 When you're hired by a company the role we end up doing often changes. How do we balance what needs to be done with giving people what they want to do.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: 007 Memorable Quotes Support Analytical on Patreon

2: Confpetence Jul 14, 2016 00:10:12 Confidence and Competence have a similar outward appearance but there's one sure way to tell them apart.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: Confirmation Bias Support Analytical on Patreon

1: Goals Jun 10, 2016 00:16:34 Analytical opens with a look at goals - personal goals, life goals and how to look at them.With John Chidgey.Links of potential interest: S.M.A.R.T. Support Analytical on Patreon

0: Trailer Jun 9, 2016 00:00:56 Everything can be improved, iterated and refined and if you don't think that's true...maybe you haven't analysed it enough? Calculated Choices. Carefully Considered. Absolutely Analytical.With John Chidgey.Analytical is where I talk about different ideas and concepts that I’ve come across over decades of Engineering relating to design, managing people, projects and so on. Also other to

Analytical

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