New books, recommended favourites and podcasts to keep you entertained

Andrew Wright analyses the project culture of Boeing, while Jason Sprague considers a net‑zero framework.

Flying Blind: The 737 Max Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing

Peter Robison (Penguin)

This highly informative book hammers home the effect of focusing on financial performance to the detriment of quality on both safety and long‑term commercial performance. Robison describes the engineering‑led culture of Boeing that led to its successful jetliners up to the 777, and the pioneering of both technology and technique for complex designs. The culture of openness and integrity peaked on the 777 programme under its leader, Alan Mulally.

The story develops: to compete with the Douglas DC‑9 twin‑jet, the original 737 design was “quick and dirty”, built as simply and cheaply as possible. Boeing strengthened its reputation for integrity, accepting responsibility for a Japanese 747 crash resulting from its faulty repair many years earlier. In 1978, the Carter administration deregulated the US airline market, dramatically increasing the market for small, cheap airliners, unexpectedly placing the 737 at the centre of Boeing’s sales. At first the 737 did well, and in 1992 Boeing decided to further update the 737 rather than design a new aircraft. But Robison explains how, after Boeing acquired McDonnell‑Douglas (MD) in 1997, the toxic, failed, cost‑oriented management culture of MD overwhelmed and corrupted Boeing.

In 2011, the need to compete forced Boeing to develop the 737 further, rather than create a new design. American Airlines ordered its replacement fleet from Airbus, and to win back half that order, Boeing promised the 737 MAX, with financial guarantees of performance. The book details how Boeing’s engineers faced the challenging timescales and the extensive changes to labour relations, management structure and culture within Boeing. They delivered on time and to budget, but with lethal quality failures leading to two crashes, killing all 346 souls on board.

This captivating book is well worth reading and gives many insights into the different emphases major projects can experience, and the challenges associated with them. The conflict between engineering excellence and financial performance may come as no surprise to more experienced project professionals, but will be a revelation to others. It brings into sharp focus the dire consequences of finance professionals not understanding the impact of sub‑standard design, and of designers missing time and budget constraints without being able to justify that to the project’s paymasters. Project success is vitally dependent on striking the right balance between cost and quality.

Review by Andrew Wright, author of Project Success and Quality: Balancing the Iron Triangle (Routledge)

 

Speed & Scale: A global action plan for solving our climate crisis now

John Doerr (Penguin)

Speed & Scale delivers a compelling call for action that investment will deliver net zero. Doerr, a savant investor, describes his thesis for a net‑zero investment portfolio measured by objectives and key results (OKRs). Doerr’s thesis, invest with urgency in net‑zero innovation, is on point. Our challenge is in his OKRs that advocate ill‑formed solutions. One is left wondering if the benefit would come from applying a systems thinking approach considering the specific political realities of the enormous systemic change. Doerr could have defined the principles that underpin his OKR framework.

A systems approach coupled with principles allows us to consider the limitations of the proposed solutions. For example, in 2021, the lithium price increased by 477 per cent, laying bare rare earth materials as a national interest. Doerr implies innovation will remove these barriers, but he leaves the detail of making change happen to the change‑makers themselves.

Discussion of fear, an individual call to action, implies that Doerr is aware of personal responsibility. Change, no matter the scale, depends on each individual person being aware and understanding their role. Still, Doerr’s OKR framework does not acknowledge that each person in the developed countries must significantly change their lifestyle. The developing countries must avoid the hydrocarbon trap, but they are taking action. We all believe that the natural environment must be protected, and Doerr should be commended for his summary, multi‑sector view and using his wealth and influence to demand action.

Review by Jason Sprague, principal of Sprague & Co

 

My Bedside Books

Jo Jolly, deputy director for programme delivery, Environment Agency

Exponential: How accelerating technology is leaving us behind and what to do about it

Azeem Azhar

I love how clearly Azhar describes the phenomenal rate at which technology is advancing, the impact this is having and the struggle we have as humans to keep up. I also love the proposal of practical solutions. I believe we all must better understand the changes in technology that have already happened, and will continue to happen, and be actively engaged in ensuring it works to the very greatest benefit.

The Fearless Organization: Creating psychological safety in the workplace

Amy C Edmondson

This book, based on decades of research, describes the importance of psychological safety in the workplace and its direct relationship with high‑performing teams. As a project delivery profession, if we are to successfully tackle the climate emergency, we need to collaborate on a scale we haven’t yet seen. This will require trust and courage – and this can only happen when teams and individuals feel psychologically safe. It’s our role as leaders to create this environment.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

Charlie Mackesy

There are two reasons I chose this book. One, it was bought for me by my lovely partner Jon, so will be cherished forever. Two, it’s a book about kindness and compassion. In our personal and working lives, this is the most important thing. My favourite quote that sums this up comes from Robin Williams: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

 

We’re all ears – podcasts to listen to

Send your own recommendations to Emma Devita.

APM Podcast

It’s a special year, celebrating 50 years of APM, so make sure you catch Professor Darren Dalcher’s insightful look back at how the project management profession has changed over the past few decades, and what the future might have in store. Don’t miss his career‑long collection of project failures and how to avoid a similar fate. Other new podcasts include a motivating look at how mentoring can boost your career.

TED Business

Hosted by Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School, this weekly podcast focuses on ideas and practical advice to help you get ahead in your career, and unpicking the bigger business conundrums on everyone’s radars. Recent topics include how to turn critics into allies, how to find the person who can help you get ahead at work, and an interview with PepsiCo CEO and one of the world’s most powerful women, Indra Nooyi, on how the world of work can be reimagined post‑pandemic.

More or Less

Available on BBC Sounds, this Radio 4 regular slot, hosted by Undercover Economist Tim Harford, explains – and sometimes debunks – the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life. Unsurprisingly, Covid‑related investigations feature strongly, but the range of subject matter varies from HGV driver shortages and Universal Credit claims to Test and Trace and expensive electricity costs.

 

THIS ARTICLE IS BROUGHT TO YOU FROM THE SPRING 2021 ISSUE OF PROJECT JOURNAL, WHICH IS FREE FOR APM MEMBERS.