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Navigating Major Programmes

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by Riccardo Cosentino

107 episodes

Updated Daily

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Podcast Overview

Have you ever wondered why 80 percent of major programmes are late and over budget? Are you skeptical about the pace of adoption of technology in the infrastructure industry? Is your leadership as a major programme professional different from leadership of other professions? Welcome to the Navigating Major Programmes podcast, the elevated conversation dedicated to the world of infrastructure and major programme management. Join Riccardo Cosentino, a Major Programmes Senior Executive with over 20 years experience, along with the industry’s thought leaders as they delve into your disconcerting questions on programme design, delivery, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, along with the most controversial subjects facing infrastructure professionals today. As misconceptions are dismantled, industry standards questioned and fresh ideas are shared, you’ll walk away with new perspective. The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/

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Publishing Since

4/19/2023

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Recent Episodes

June 29, 2026

Rethinking Infrastructure Through AI and Human Decision-Making

What can adventures in vibecoding and broadening one’s understanding of AI models reveal about the future of infrastructure? In this episode, the podcast makes a 180 as Lawrence Rowland turns the microphone on Riccardo. What follows is a wide-ranging and deep-delving conversation about modelling, artificial intelligence, systems thinking, and the role these evolving tools might play in major programmes. They begin with Riccardo’s development of an International Roughness Index (IRI) prediction model to better understand pavement degradation—an example of using data to challenge linear assumptions and improve infrastructure decision-making. From there, the discussion follows Riccardo’s learning journey through reinforcement learning, coding agents, decision intelligence, reality capture, knowledge graphs, and the future of physical AI. Along the way, Lawrence and Riccardo bring the discussion back to what these tools mean for project leaders: why humans and organizational processes remain the weakest link in adopting new technology, how AI can support—not replace—human decision-making, and why meaningfully connecting the data is the biggest determinant of success. The episode also explores the softer but no-less-essential side of major programmes, including relationship complexity, stakeholder power, information asymmetry, and the limits of tools like Gantt charts in representing the real dynamics of project delivery. Finally, Riccardo reflects on what his AI experiments and podcast journey have taught him about his own niche. This conversation covers all the bases: curiosity, humility, and the need to keep rethinking how we understand, manage, and learn from complex infrastructure systems.Key takeaways<ul><li>The future of LLMs and physical AI in major projects;</li><li>What old-school video games have to do with building prediction models;</li><li>How decision intelligence can begin to support, but not replace, project leadership;</li><li>The difference between complex and complicated—and why it matters for systems thinking;</li><li>What delving into AI and its possibilities has taught Riccardo about his niche.</li></ul>Quote<ul><li> “[In today’s LLMs], through brute prompting, you can actually get to the answer you want…but it’s a very convoluted path.” - Riccardo Cosentino</li></ul>The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:<ul><li>Riccardo’s spreadsheet “AI Startups in Engineering & Construction”: <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TCvfRqqd1NzxgMhVoTMbKeL9bOp_1-mn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100654060211988607651&rtpof=true&sd=true">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TCvfRqqd1NzxgMhVoTMbKeL9bOp_1-mn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100654060211988607651&rtpof=true&sd=true</a></li><li>Riccardo’s LinkedIn Article “AI Startups in AE&C (Architectural, Engineering and Construction)”: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-startups-aec-architectural-engineering-riccardo-cosentino-bvhrc/">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-startups-aec-architectural-engineering-riccardo-cosentino-bvhrc/</a></li><li>Follow Navigating Major Programmes: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/</a></li><li>Read Riccardo’s latest at <a href="http://www.riccardocosentino.com">www.riccardocosentino.com</a></li><li>Follow Riccardo Cosentino: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/</a></li><li>Follow Lawrence Rowland: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerowland/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencerowland/</a> </li></ul>

June 22, 2026

Women in Leadership: Defying Tokenism and Embracing Authenticity with Angela Clayton

How do you champion an authentic leadership style in a sector that’s slow to adapt to change? Infrastructure Ontario President and CEO Angela Clayton has traversed this career journey by building a robust network while maintaining a deep dedication to continuing education and an iron-clad work ethic. She joins Riccardo and Shormila for a candid conversation about career growth and what it means (and doesn’t mean) to be a woman in leadership in this male-dominated industry. Angela has seen the benefits of prioritizing community and collaboration in many facets of her career. She reflects on her history of learning on the job and how employer-supported professional development has transformed her trajectory. She and the hosts dig into the practical realities of leadership in major programmes and the mistaken assumption that great individual contributors naturally become great leaders. She also speaks frankly about being the only woman in the room, and how essential trust in hard-earned champions, while it doesn’t negate impostor syndrome, certainly puts it into perspective. The discussion also explores IO’s evolution over time, Angela’s approach to her transition to CEO, and her future plans for pursuing more impact-driven work. Discover this successful industry innovator’s take on the shifts leaders must make as they navigate new roles and her thoughtful advice for women aspiring to excel in infrastructure.Key takeaways:<ul><li>How a strong network creates career opportunities, and why getting the job is only the beginning;</li><li>The pitfall of assuming technical excellence translates into project and people leadership;</li><li>How to think about “diversity hires” without tokenism—and what real sponsorship looks like;</li><li>The culture and mandate evolution of Infrastructure Ontario;</li><li>The mental shift required when moving from PM issues management to CEO vision and culture development.</li></ul>Quote:<ul><li>“[Former peers who now report to me are] some of my most trusted advisors. They have the history of the organization, and it’s so valuable to have that institutional knowledge.” - Angela Clayton</li></ul>The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:<ul><li>Follow Navigating Major Programmes: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/</a></li><li>Read Riccardo’s latest at <a href="http://www.riccardocosentino.com">www.riccardocosentino.com</a></li><li>Follow Riccardo Cosentino: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/</a></li><li>Follow Shormila Chatterjee: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/</a></li><li>Follow Angela Clayton: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelafclayton/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelafclayton/</a> </li></ul>

June 15, 2026

Alliance Delivery in Practice: Building High-Trust Teams in Infrastructure with Marcia Medrano

To what extent is leadership success contingent on specific industry expertise? Marcia Medrano began her career in buildings, not transit. Yet, her experience developing and guiding teams, budgets, and procurement projects is proof that people management is not bound by sector—as long as you’re willing to make the most of the experts around you. In this episode of Master Builder, Riccardo and Shormila sit down with the Executive Vice President of Capital Projects at Metrolinx to explore what it takes to rise to leadership without pretending you’re an expert in everything. Marcia traces her path from architecture and vertical infrastructure to transit delivery and the core lesson that’s shaped her career: big infrastructure delivery is fundamentally about people—building trust, aligning teams, and getting things done. Marcia doesn’t hesitate to push back against conventions and assumptions. Choosing to leverage her parallel expertise rather than be daunted by a new sector, she often asks, “Why not?” Over and over, she sees the question unlock progress in new and exciting approaches for the infrastructure industry. The three experts hold a candid discussion about impostor syndrome and women in leadership, the superiority of alliance projects, and the importance of transparency on all sides of a major programme. They call out the danger of blindly following rigid structures and the shifting of the status quo as the Canadian infrastructure industry dives into ever larger and more ambitious projects. Throughout it all, Marcia champions a new understanding of steering the ship, and all the assets that come along with “leading like a woman.” Key takeaways<ul><li>The relationship-building and human connection that underpin infrastructure delivery success;</li><li>How transparency drives success, however varied a team’s expertise and experience; </li><li>Why incentivizing on-the-ground solutions and cooperation outweighs claims that stall progress at every turn;</li><li>The importance of updated governance and project-wide empowerment on the owner side of collaborative contracts;</li><li>What’s poised to change for women in infrastructure leadership.</li></ul>Quote<ul><li>“Challenging our own biases of the things that we know and the things that we don’t know is part of challenging the status quo.” - Marcia Medrano</li></ul>The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:<ul><li>Navigating Major Programmes, Season 2 Episode 6 with Lawrence Rowland: <a href="https://navigatingmajorprogrammes.transistor.fm/s2/23">https://navigatingmajorprogrammes.transistor.fm/s2/23</a> </li><li>Follow Navigating Major Programmes: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/</a></li><li>Read Riccardo’s latest at <a href="http://www.riccardocosentino.com">www.riccardocosentino.com</a></li><li>Follow Riccardo Cosentino: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/</a></li><li>Follow Marcia Medrano: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-medrano-34a2962a/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-medrano-34a2962a/</a> </li></ul>

107 total episodes available

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What is Navigating Major Programmes?: Have you ever wondered why 80 percent of major programmes are late and over budget? Are you skeptical about the pace of adoption of technology in the infrastructure industry? Is your leadership as a major programme professional different from leadership of other professions?

Welcome to the Navigating Major Programmes podcast, the elevated conversation dedicated to the world of infrastructure and major programme management. Join Riccardo Cosentino, a Major Programmes Senior Executive with over 20 years experience, along with the industry’s thought leaders as they delve into your disconcerting questions on programme design, delivery, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, along with the most controversial subjects facing infrastructure professionals today. As misconceptions are dismantled, industry standards questioned and fresh ideas are shared, you’ll walk away with new perspective.

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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