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Bent Flyvbjerg BiographyMegaprojects have been around since the days of the Pharaohs, and the world’s infatuation with “the biggest,” “the tallest,” “the longest” is only getting stronger. But the need for more effective leadership, strategy and planning is equally strong to meet today’s challenges – and it’s Bent Flyvbjerg’s mission to improve management of infrastructure and technology, and change megaprojects. Flyvbjerg is the inaugural Chair of Major Programme Management at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. His seminal book, “Megaprojects and Risk: An Anatomy of Ambition” (Cambridge University Press, 2003), is widely considered essential reading for project managers, sponsors and those involved in megaprojects. Flyvbjerg’s ideas on optimism bias (the tendency to take an overly positive view of planned actions) and strategic misrepresentation (deliberately misstating the likely outcomes of actions) have been incorporated into strategic planning of projects around the world. He continues to influence the development of project management both through his research and through teaching some of the leading program managers of today and tomorrow. A frequent advisor and consultant to government and business, Flyvbjerg has helped formulate national policies for infrastructure, environment, transportation and science, and supported organizations in improving success of projects. The most widely cited scholar in his field, his research has been covered by influential media, including Science, The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, BBC, CNN, Charlie Rose, and many others. Flyvbjerg also focuses on the philosophy and methodology of social science, and loaned his name to the so-called “Flyvbjerg Debate,” which examines the role of social science in society in response to his book, “Making Social Science Matter” (Cambridge University Press, 2001). He developed the research methodology called “phronetic social science,” and has employed the methodology in studies of rationality and power. Knighted in 2002, Flyvbjerg has received numerous honors and awards, including two visiting Fulbright Scholarships which he used to conduct research at the University of California at Los Angeles, Berkeley and Harvard University. Flyvbjerg received his PhD from Aarhus University, Denmark, and also holds two higher doctorates from Aalborg University in engineering and science.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bent Flyvbjerg and other top speakers and celebrities.
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Megaprojects and Risk: An Anatomy of Ambition
Megaprojects – massive investments of millions to billions of dollars in infrastructure, technology or change – are on the rise worldwide. Yet, their failure rates are staggering. In fact, upward of 90 percent of such projects consistently end up costing considerably more, with diminished value far below projections. Mismanaged megaprojects routinely cost the jobs of top managers; they’ve also sunk whole corporations, and even cities and nations are in peril. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg explores the reasons for megaproject failure and suggests practical solutions, drawing on theory and scientific evidence from more than 6,000 projects in 103 nations and six continents. As advancements in society increasingly take place through complex, contested and politicized projects, this is even more important to understand – for students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and concerned citizens alike. Professor Flyvbjerg explains his views on the need for strong leadership, strategic governance, an open and honest civil society, and how he sees that tradition is at a breaking point and reform is emerging.
Delivering megaprojects on budget, on time and to benefit is very challenging, yet success is not impossible. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has dedicated decades to studying masterbuilders and believes their success lies in strong leadership. Drawing on theory and evidence on how novices become elders in their fields, he explores the role of intuition and positive heuristics in day-to-day management of megaprojects. “If you are in charge of delivering megaprojects, the odds are stacked against you,” Professor Flyvbjerg explains. “Masterbuilders stand out in this field because they have learned simple heuristics and programmatics that work.” He offers a clear, actionable approach for understanding the unwritten rules of leadership teams to improve megaproject success.
Megaprojects frequently overrun their cost and delay deadlines. In extreme cases, out-of-control projects end top managers’ careers, damage reputations and bankrupt whole companies. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg explores how disaster can be avoided by reducing the technical and social complexity of projects, strengthening the organization’s capabilities and exploiting beneficial behaviors. The key to avoiding disaster is to thin out the fat tails, and make projects and risks more predictable. Professor Flyvbjerg explains hands-on ways to spot potential disaster early and to de-risk projects.
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Megaprojects have been around since the days of the Pharaohs, and the world’s infatuation with “the biggest,” “the tallest,” “the longest” is only getting stronger. But the need for more effective leadership, strategy and planning is equally strong to meet today’s challenges – and it’s Bent Flyvbjerg’s mission to improve management of infrastructure and technology, and change megaprojects. Flyvbjerg is the inaugural Chair of Major Programme Management at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. His seminal book, “Megaprojects and Risk: An Anatomy of Ambition” (Cambridge University Press, 2003), is widely considered essential reading for project managers, sponsors and those involved in megaprojects. Flyvbjerg’s ideas on optimism bias (the tendency to take an overly positive view of planned actions) and strategic misrepresentation (deliberately misstating the likely outcomes of actions) have been incorporated into strategic planning of projects around the world. He continues to influence the development of project management both through his research and through teaching some of the leading program managers of today and tomorrow. A frequent advisor and consultant to government and business, Flyvbjerg has helped formulate national policies for infrastructure, environment, transportation and science, and supported organizations in improving success of projects. The most widely cited scholar in his field, his research has been covered by influential media, including Science, The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, BBC, CNN, Charlie Rose, and many others. Flyvbjerg also focuses on the philosophy and methodology of social science, and loaned his name to the so-called “Flyvbjerg Debate,” which examines the role of social science in society in response to his book, “Making Social Science Matter” (Cambridge University Press, 2001). He developed the research methodology called “phronetic social science,” and has employed the methodology in studies of rationality and power. Knighted in 2002, Flyvbjerg has received numerous honors and awards, including two visiting Fulbright Scholarships which he used to conduct research at the University of California at Los Angeles, Berkeley and Harvard University. Flyvbjerg received his PhD from Aarhus University, Denmark, and also holds two higher doctorates from Aalborg University in engineering and science.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bent Flyvbjerg and other top speakers and celebrities.
Megaprojects – massive investments of millions to billions of dollars in infrastructure, technology or change – are on the rise worldwide. Yet, their failure rates are staggering. In fact, upward of 90 percent of such projects consistently end up costing considerably more, with diminished value far below projections. Mismanaged megaprojects routinely cost the jobs of top managers; they’ve also sunk whole corporations, and even cities and nations are in peril. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg explores the reasons for megaproject failure and suggests practical solutions, drawing on theory and scientific evidence from more than 6,000 projects in 103 nations and six continents. As advancements in society increasingly take place through complex, contested and politicized projects, this is even more important to understand – for students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and concerned citizens alike. Professor Flyvbjerg explains his views on the need for strong leadership, strategic governance, an open and honest civil society, and how he sees that tradition is at a breaking point and reform is emerging.
Delivering megaprojects on budget, on time and to benefit is very challenging, yet success is not impossible. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has dedicated decades to studying masterbuilders and believes their success lies in strong leadership. Drawing on theory and evidence on how novices become elders in their fields, he explores the role of intuition and positive heuristics in day-to-day management of megaprojects. “If you are in charge of delivering megaprojects, the odds are stacked against you,” Professor Flyvbjerg explains. “Masterbuilders stand out in this field because they have learned simple heuristics and programmatics that work.” He offers a clear, actionable approach for understanding the unwritten rules of leadership teams to improve megaproject success.
Megaprojects frequently overrun their cost and delay deadlines. In extreme cases, out-of-control projects end top managers’ careers, damage reputations and bankrupt whole companies. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg explores how disaster can be avoided by reducing the technical and social complexity of projects, strengthening the organization’s capabilities and exploiting beneficial behaviors. The key to avoiding disaster is to thin out the fat tails, and make projects and risks more predictable. Professor Flyvbjerg explains hands-on ways to spot potential disaster early and to de-risk projects.
Bent Flyvbjerg is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Bent Flyvbjerg for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Bent Flyvbjerg generally travels from OxfordUK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Wanis Kabbaj, Knut Haanaes, Marie Forleo, Topher Conway and Larry Walker. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bent Flyvbjerg for an upcoming event.
Megaprojects – massive investments of millions to billions of dollars in infrastructure, technology or change – are on the rise worldwide. Yet, their failure rates are staggering. In fact, upward of 90 percent of such projects consistently end up costing considerably more, with diminished value far below projections. Mismanaged megaprojects routinely cost the jobs of top managers; they’ve also sunk whole corporations, and even cities and nations are in peril. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg explores the reasons for megaproject failure and suggests practical solutions, drawing on theory and scientific evidence from more than 6,000 projects in 103 nations and six continents. As advancements in society increasingly take place through complex, contested and politicized projects, this is even more important to understand – for students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and concerned citizens alike. Professor Flyvbjerg explains his views on the need for strong leadership, strategic governance, an open and honest civil society, and how he sees that tradition is at a breaking point and reform is emerging.
Delivering megaprojects on budget, on time and to benefit is very challenging, yet success is not impossible. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg has dedicated decades to studying masterbuilders and believes their success lies in strong leadership. Drawing on theory and evidence on how novices become elders in their fields, he explores the role of intuition and positive heuristics in day-to-day management of megaprojects. “If you are in charge of delivering megaprojects, the odds are stacked against you,” Professor Flyvbjerg explains. “Masterbuilders stand out in this field because they have learned simple heuristics and programmatics that work.” He offers a clear, actionable approach for understanding the unwritten rules of leadership teams to improve megaproject success.
Megaprojects frequently overrun their cost and delay deadlines. In extreme cases, out-of-control projects end top managers’ careers, damage reputations and bankrupt whole companies. Professor Bent Flyvbjerg explores how disaster can be avoided by reducing the technical and social complexity of projects, strengthening the organization’s capabilities and exploiting beneficial behaviors. The key to avoiding disaster is to thin out the fat tails, and make projects and risks more predictable. Professor Flyvbjerg explains hands-on ways to spot potential disaster early and to de-risk projects.
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
If you are the talent, and wish to request removal from this catalog or report an issue with your profile, please click here.
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