Systems Thinking, Systems Leading
Seminar
Members Only Event
Any scan of literature on major projects will reveal a common theme. Major projects need to deliver systems which in turn deliver the benefits expected of the investment in them. Generally, the more significant the project, the more complex the system will be and the more connected it will be with other systems - or the system of systems as explained in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Routemap module on Systems Integration.
"As projects become more complex, their success or failure is increasingly determined by the interactions between new and pre-existing natural, built and digital systems, and the critical role of people in making these interactions work. As such, project outputs should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a system of systems".
The challenge of understanding such system of systems is well documented in the NAO's report on lessons from Crossrail which, in part, led to the report "A System Approach to Infrastructure Delivery" commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers. There's now a recognition that understanding systems is a core skill for anyone delivering projects in the public sector with the recent "systems thinking for civil servants" guidance being pubished by the Government Office for Science.
There are numerous tools and techniques which can be used to map and model systems to enable solutions to be defined and projects established to implement them. But the real challenge for delivering systems is not a technical one of modelling but one of leadership in the context of complex relationships and non-linear development. So how does the major projects leader embrace systems thinking? What competencies do they need to develop and/or deliver a new system within systems?
These are some of the questions we will explore by way of reference to a mix of case studies from railways, hydrogen ecosystems, power transmission and regeneration.
The event registration is now closed.
Programme
Tuesday 27th September 2022
13:45
Registration and networking
14:00
Chair's introduction
Mark Wild
Chief Executive Officer HS2 Ltd
Mark Wild
Chief Executive Officer, HS2 Ltd
Mark draws on more than 35 years of experience leading complex and critical infrastructure programmes in both public and private sectors in the UK and abroad. The majority of his experience has been in operating or building major transportation infrastructure including as MD of Westinghouse Signals, CEO of Public Transport Victoria (Melbourne, Australia), and MD of London Underground - one of oldest and largest oldest metro systems in the world with over one billion journeys a year and 20,000 employees. He has a proven track record of delivering transformational change on some of the largest and most complex projects around the world.
As CEO of Crossrail (2018-2022) in London, a £20bn programme delivering one of the world’s most advanced high-frequency passenger rail services, he implemented a rescue and recovery of the programme following earlier cost and schedule delays in 2018. This included rebuilding the organisation, completing construction of the programme and the integration into one of the most successful and celebrated new operating railways in the world – now known as the Elizabeth line.
In addition to driving organisational change and delivering major schemes to successful completion, Mark puts safety and sustainability at the heart of his ethos and is also passionate about helping to develop a new and diverse generation of engineers to lead the industry.
Mark awaits the start of his next role as Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Limited, leading one of the largest infrastructure programmes in the UK - Britain’s newest, high speed railway stretching over 140 miles between London and Birmingham and employing over 30,000 people.
Mark will join HS2 Ltd from SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, servicing 7 million customers in Scotland, Southern England and Northern Ireland.
Mark grew up in Durham in the North East of England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, has a 1st class engineering degree and an MBA from Leeds University.
As CEO of Crossrail (2018-2022) in London, a £20bn programme delivering one of the world’s most advanced high-frequency passenger rail services, he implemented a rescue and recovery of the programme following earlier cost and schedule delays in 2018. This included rebuilding the organisation, completing construction of the programme and the integration into one of the most successful and celebrated new operating railways in the world – now known as the Elizabeth line.
In addition to driving organisational change and delivering major schemes to successful completion, Mark puts safety and sustainability at the heart of his ethos and is also passionate about helping to develop a new and diverse generation of engineers to lead the industry.
Mark awaits the start of his next role as Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Limited, leading one of the largest infrastructure programmes in the UK - Britain’s newest, high speed railway stretching over 140 miles between London and Birmingham and employing over 30,000 people.
Mark will join HS2 Ltd from SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, servicing 7 million customers in Scotland, Southern England and Northern Ireland.
Mark grew up in Durham in the North East of England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, has a 1st class engineering degree and an MBA from Leeds University.
14:10
What is a System, what is Systems Thinking?
Dr. Craig Hoggett
Managing Director, Industry X.0 Accenture
Dr. Craig Hoggett
Managing Director, Industry X.0, Accenture
Dr. Craig Hoggett is a Managing Director within Accenture Europe’s Industry X business with a primary focus on Infrastructure Engineering and Capital Projects. He has spent more than thirty years working across the Nuclear Energy, Chemicals, Utilities and Oil & Gas sectors, in client side roles and as a professional consultant with a focus on system dynamics and particularly how the interactions within ‘systems’ can be identified and harnessed to improve performance and manage risk. More recently his work is focused on applying systems thinking to the challenge of ever more complex and pressurized capital delivery portfolios in the face of the energy transition and infrastructure upgrades across Europe.
14:30
Case Study - HyNet North West
David Parkin
Project Director HyNet North West
David Parkin
Project Director, HyNet North West
David is a recognised industry leader in the development of low carbon energy infrastructure and joined Progressive Energy as a Director in 2019.
As Network Strategy Director for National Grid Gas (subsequently Cadent), he led the formation of the Future of Gas programme which first set out a strategy for decarbonisation of heat and led to the development of numerous projects in the sector, including the HyDeploy and HyNet hydrogen projects.
A chartered engineer, David spent the early part of his career at BAE Systems/Airbus before moving to Atkins in 2008, where he became Director of Power and Renewables.
David is President of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers, a member of the Ministerial CCS Council, and holds degrees from Cambridge, Warwick and MIT.
As Network Strategy Director for National Grid Gas (subsequently Cadent), he led the formation of the Future of Gas programme which first set out a strategy for decarbonisation of heat and led to the development of numerous projects in the sector, including the HyDeploy and HyNet hydrogen projects.
A chartered engineer, David spent the early part of his career at BAE Systems/Airbus before moving to Atkins in 2008, where he became Director of Power and Renewables.
David is President of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers, a member of the Ministerial CCS Council, and holds degrees from Cambridge, Warwick and MIT.
14:45
Case Study - Towns Fund
Joanna Rowelle
Director, Integrated City Planning Arup
Joanna Rowelle
Director, Integrated City Planning, Arup
Joanna is a Director at Arup where she leads Integrated City Planning, a group of urban designers, landscape architects, economists and planners. She leads projects linked to economic development, social value, funding and finance, masterplans and strategic city plans and governance. Currently she is the Project Director for the consortium supporting the Government to deliver the £4bn Towns Fund programme.
Previously, Joanna was the Assistant Director for Regeneration for the Mayor of London, with responsibility for major investment programmes linked to economic growth and community benefits.
Joanna has authored reports on subjects including equalities, competitiveness and growth. She has spoken at international conferences covering topics such as sustainable place making, aviation, economic development and regeneration.
Previously, Joanna was the Assistant Director for Regeneration for the Mayor of London, with responsibility for major investment programmes linked to economic growth and community benefits.
Joanna has authored reports on subjects including equalities, competitiveness and growth. She has spoken at international conferences covering topics such as sustainable place making, aviation, economic development and regeneration.
15:00
Discussion
An opportunity for Q&A.
15:20
Break
15:30
The Systems Approach to Infrastructure Delivery (SAID)
Andrew McNaughton
Infrastructure Sector Lead Aczel
Andrew McNaughton
Infrastructure Sector Lead, Aczel
Andrew recently joined Aczel & Co as a Partner. Aczel & Co is a consultancy specialising in strategic change management and complex project delivery across multiple sectors.
From June 2016 Andrew served as Chief Operating Officer of the Systra Group, a French headquartered company with 7000 staff, globally, specialising in transport engineering and consultancy services. Andrew was previously Director of Engineering and Construction for Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc.
Andrew has over 35 years’ experience of delivering major infrastructure in the UK and overseas. As both a project manager and an executive officer he has been responsible for the delivery of many of the country’s major infrastructure projects over that time.
Prior to his appointment at Tidal Lagoon, Andrew was the Chief Executive Officer of Balfour Beatty plc. He held a range of executive positions in his 17 years at Balfour Beatty, including Chief Operating Officer and latterly Chief Executive Officer. From graduation he initially spent 12 years with the Kier Group.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has served as a Vice President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and was previously named Civil Engineering Manager of the Year by the Institution.
From June 2016 Andrew served as Chief Operating Officer of the Systra Group, a French headquartered company with 7000 staff, globally, specialising in transport engineering and consultancy services. Andrew was previously Director of Engineering and Construction for Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc.
Andrew has over 35 years’ experience of delivering major infrastructure in the UK and overseas. As both a project manager and an executive officer he has been responsible for the delivery of many of the country’s major infrastructure projects over that time.
Prior to his appointment at Tidal Lagoon, Andrew was the Chief Executive Officer of Balfour Beatty plc. He held a range of executive positions in his 17 years at Balfour Beatty, including Chief Operating Officer and latterly Chief Executive Officer. From graduation he initially spent 12 years with the Kier Group.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has served as a Vice President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and was previously named Civil Engineering Manager of the Year by the Institution.
15:45
Breakout - What does the Systems Leader look like?
Dr. Craig Hoggett
Managing Director, Industry X.0 Accenture
Dr. Craig Hoggett
Managing Director, Industry X.0, Accenture
Dr. Craig Hoggett is a Managing Director within Accenture Europe’s Industry X business with a primary focus on Infrastructure Engineering and Capital Projects. He has spent more than thirty years working across the Nuclear Energy, Chemicals, Utilities and Oil & Gas sectors, in client side roles and as a professional consultant with a focus on system dynamics and particularly how the interactions within ‘systems’ can be identified and harnessed to improve performance and manage risk. More recently his work is focused on applying systems thinking to the challenge of ever more complex and pressurized capital delivery portfolios in the face of the energy transition and infrastructure upgrades across Europe.
16:30
Chair's closing comments
Mark Wild
Chief Executive Officer HS2 Ltd
Mark Wild
Chief Executive Officer, HS2 Ltd
Mark draws on more than 35 years of experience leading complex and critical infrastructure programmes in both public and private sectors in the UK and abroad. The majority of his experience has been in operating or building major transportation infrastructure including as MD of Westinghouse Signals, CEO of Public Transport Victoria (Melbourne, Australia), and MD of London Underground - one of oldest and largest oldest metro systems in the world with over one billion journeys a year and 20,000 employees. He has a proven track record of delivering transformational change on some of the largest and most complex projects around the world.
As CEO of Crossrail (2018-2022) in London, a £20bn programme delivering one of the world’s most advanced high-frequency passenger rail services, he implemented a rescue and recovery of the programme following earlier cost and schedule delays in 2018. This included rebuilding the organisation, completing construction of the programme and the integration into one of the most successful and celebrated new operating railways in the world – now known as the Elizabeth line.
In addition to driving organisational change and delivering major schemes to successful completion, Mark puts safety and sustainability at the heart of his ethos and is also passionate about helping to develop a new and diverse generation of engineers to lead the industry.
Mark awaits the start of his next role as Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Limited, leading one of the largest infrastructure programmes in the UK - Britain’s newest, high speed railway stretching over 140 miles between London and Birmingham and employing over 30,000 people.
Mark will join HS2 Ltd from SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, servicing 7 million customers in Scotland, Southern England and Northern Ireland.
Mark grew up in Durham in the North East of England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, has a 1st class engineering degree and an MBA from Leeds University.
As CEO of Crossrail (2018-2022) in London, a £20bn programme delivering one of the world’s most advanced high-frequency passenger rail services, he implemented a rescue and recovery of the programme following earlier cost and schedule delays in 2018. This included rebuilding the organisation, completing construction of the programme and the integration into one of the most successful and celebrated new operating railways in the world – now known as the Elizabeth line.
In addition to driving organisational change and delivering major schemes to successful completion, Mark puts safety and sustainability at the heart of his ethos and is also passionate about helping to develop a new and diverse generation of engineers to lead the industry.
Mark awaits the start of his next role as Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Limited, leading one of the largest infrastructure programmes in the UK - Britain’s newest, high speed railway stretching over 140 miles between London and Birmingham and employing over 30,000 people.
Mark will join HS2 Ltd from SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas distribution networks, servicing 7 million customers in Scotland, Southern England and Northern Ireland.
Mark grew up in Durham in the North East of England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, has a 1st class engineering degree and an MBA from Leeds University.
16:45
Close