In this episode of "The Risky Planner" podcast, hosts Nate Habermeyer and Albert Brier tackle the pressing issue of uncertainty in capital investments during 2025's volatile economic climate. The hosts discuss how inflation, interest rates, supply chain problems, and trade tensions are creating unprecedented challenges for capital project planning.

Albert shares his experience with a major oil company where project cancellation led to significant ripple effects and wasted resources. The conversation explores how companies are responding to uncertainty, with many pausing investments not because opportunities aren't available, but because risk assessment has become increasingly complex.

Key topics include:

• Jerome Powell's warning about higher inflation and slower growth
• The impact of tariffs on cross-border procurement
• How uncertainty affects project schedules and budgets
• Strategies for quantifying and visualizing risk
• The importance of corporate-level risk tolerance guidance

The hosts conclude with practical advice for project executives: while caution is warranted, complete investment freezes can worsen stagflation. Organizations should carefully evaluate which projects might remain profitable despite uncertainty, applying wider uncertainty bands to all projections.

Resources mentioned:

• White paper on quantifying and visualizing project risk: www.dokainish.com/projectrisk
• Risk webinar available https://dokainish.com/project-performance-through-risk-visualization/

Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.com

The Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

In this episode of The Risky Planner, Nate Habermeyer talks to Albert Brier, who is live from Dubai, where he's leading the setup of a PMO for one of the most ambitious real estate developments in the world. ThSey explore how digital transformation is redefining project management in MENA, with a strong focus on project controls, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management. Albert shares insights on building high-functioning PMOs that move beyond reporting to drive real business value—by staying relevant, flexible, and deeply connected to execution.

They dive into:

• The difference between project management and project controls—and why scale matters
• How business analysts and data maturity play a pivotal role in complex, multi-stakeholder programs
• Common pitfalls in PMO implementations (like building systems no one uses)
• The balance between standardization and customization in PMO frameworks
• Real-world examples of change management, cost control, and joint venture governance structures

Whether you're a director, manager, or business analyst overseeing large capital projects, this episode delivers practical lessons on aligning PMOs with outcomes that matter.

Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.com

The Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.

In this episode of the Risky Planner Podcast, hosts Nate and Albert reunite after Albert's travels to Dubai to discuss the impact of Trump's recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. They explore how these tariffs affect capital projects across various industries, particularly construction and energy infrastructure. Albert provides context about the evolution of tariff threats from earlier blanket proposals targeting countries like Canada and Mexico to the current focus on specific materials. The hosts examine how these tariffs create uncertainty in project planning, potentially causing issues with locked-in pricing, contractor insolvency risks, and the need to recalculate cost estimates. They also discuss alternative construction approaches, such as using cross-laminated timber, that might gain popularity as organizations look to mitigate rising steel costs. Tune in at www.riskyplanner.com to learn how project leaders can navigate this uncertain landscape in capital project management.

Here are the key takeaways from the podcast episode:

• Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports affecting all countries
• These tariffs create significant uncertainty for capital projects that rely on these materials
• Projects with locked-in pricing may face contractor change orders or supplier insolvency risks
• Cost estimators will need to revise budgets since current pricing databases don't account for these tariffs
• Energy sector projects (data centers, grid infrastructure, renewable energy) face particular challenges as demand grows
• Alternative materials like cross-laminated timber may see increased adoption as organizations seek alternatives
• Organizations face difficult decisions: absorb costs, delay projects, or seek alternative construction methods
• Long-term capital planning (5-15 years) becomes more complicated with unpredictable material costs
• Project leaders should keep options open and consider alternative ways to achieve project goals
• The uncertainty may drive innovation in construction and infrastructure development

Presented by Dokainish & Company www.dokainish.com

The Risky Planner podcast delivers expert insights on project controls, capital project management, and strategic planning for today's complex business environment. Subscribe for regular episodes featuring industry leaders and practical advice.