Episode 4: (I) Scale Shift: From Millions to Billions

PM Insights – PMI New Zealand Podcast | Episode 4: (I) Scale Shift: From Millions to Billions

 

In this edition of PM Insights , we dive into the high-stakes world of mega-projects with seasoned project leader Kanat Sultanbekov, who has managed initiatives from $50 million to over $50 billion across continents.

Kanat shares firsthand lessons from working on massive infrastructure and energy projects in locations like Australia, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan. From political risks and joint venture disagreements to on-the-ground challenges like strikes and worker welfare, this episode reveals how scale changes everything — from interface management to financial controls.

🎧 Highlights include:

• Why risk management looks completely different on billion-dollar projects
• Lessons learned from demobilizing and remobilizing entire mega-projects
• Navigating international politics, joint ventures, and cultural dynamics
• The importance of standardization, modularity, and constructability
• Practical advice for project managers aiming to move into global mega-projects

Kanat also recommends the must-read book “How Big Things Get Done” by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner — a roadmap for anyone entering the world of large-scale delivery.

 

This is a must-listen for anyone curious about what it really takes to scale from millions to billions.

🔊 Tune in now and subscribe for more insights from PMI New Zealand.

 

Host: Silke Deul

Guest: Kanat Sultanbekov – Over two decades of construction and project management experience on energy projects of increasing size and complexity in Australia, Kazakhstan, and the United States.

 

PDU’s: For PMI members who have viewed this episode, this content is eligible for 1 PDUs under Ways of Working. You can self-claim this via your PMI account.