Make Megaprojects More Modular
Two factors play a critical role in determining whether projects will meet with success or failure: replicable modularity in design and speed in iteration
With climate change forcing the pace, government and business are contemplating major changes in technology and basic infrastructures. The oil-and-coal-fired power generators of the last century are giving way to wind farms and solar arrays. Fossil-fueled cars and networks of gas stations may soon be consigned to history. In almost every industry, large capital investments will need to be made, and with them will come big risks.
In almost every industry, large capital investments will need to be made, and with them will come big risks.
I’ve researched and consulted on megaprojects for more than 30 years, and I’ve found that two factors play a critical role in determining whether an organization will meet with success or failure: replicable modularity in design and speed in iteration. If a project can be delivered fast and in a modular manner, enabling experimentation and learning along the way, it is likely to succeed. If it is undertaken on a massive scale with one-off, highly integrated components, it is likely to…
