PMI Houston Katy: "Megaproject Development and Decision Making"

Megaproject Development and Decision Making

Kris Lea

Akin Oni is a megaproject and strategy executive (M&A & Construction), board member, and sought-after thought leader whose career spans over three decades across continents, industries, and cultures. From the oilfields of West Africa to the mining hubs of Australia and Latin America, the frozen frontiers of Canada, and the energy corridors of the United States, UK and Japan, he has led or advised on some of the world’s most complex and consequential projects. An engineer & project manager by training, Akin is a strategic advisor by calling.

Beyond boardrooms and project sites, Akin is a mentor, author, speaker, and builder of communities of practice. He has also served with distinction in professional associations such as AACE International, Toastmasters International, ASME, SPE, and the PMI. He actively invests in raising the next generation of project professionals worldwide. His calling is to not only build infrastructure that fuels economies but also to build people who will lead with courage, clarity, and conviction. He holds multiple Distinguished Toastmaster awards, and several other practice credentials.

Through his writing, Akin invites leaders, investors, policymakers, and practitioners alike to embrace a higher standard of excellence - because in megaprojects, as in life, decisions shape destiny. His weekly newsletter on his authoring activities (coming in 2026, such as: The Mighty Warrior Way, Megaproject Development, Functional Excellence, etc.) is now being viewed by thousands on various platforms across all continents

Topic Synopsis:

Megaprojects rarely fail because of poor execution. They fail because of decisions made too early, too quickly, or without the right governance discipline.

This interactive masterclass will reframe project success through the lens of decision quality and value creation, not just delivery performance. Drawing from real-world experience across energy, mining, infrastructure, IT, and public-sector programs, participants will explore how early-stage choices shape outcomes long before execution begins.

Through practical frameworks, facilitated discussion, and industry-specific decision scenarios, attendees will learn how to identify early warning signals, challenge flawed assumptions, and strengthen governance without slowing momentum.

This session is designed for practitioners who want to move beyond hindsight and improve how decisions are made when the stakes are highest.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this masterclass, participants will be able to:

1. Explain why early-stage decisions have disproportionate impact on cost, schedule, risk, and long-term value in complex projects.

2. Identify common decision traps such as optimism bias, schedule pressure, and governance shortcuts across multiple industries.

3. Apply practical decision-readiness frameworks to assess whether projects are truly ready for major commitments.

4. Strengthen leadership effectiveness by asking better questions, encouraging constructive dissent, and improving decision discipline across stakeholders.

PDU Triangle:
2 Business Acumen PDU's

Ways of Working Technical

Event Information

Event Date	04-08-2026 5:00 pm
Event End Date	04-08-2026 8:00 pm
Cut Off Date	04-08-2026 8:00 pm
Capacity	36
Registered	0
Individual Price	$30 Members / $40 Guests
Location	Home2 Suites Katy