In this episode, I talk with Dr. Josh Ramirez, Ph.D., NPPQ, PMP, CEO, and Dr. Jodi Bull Wilson, CSM, Ph.D., COO of the Institute for Neuro & Behavioral Project Management, about how understanding human behavior can transform project execution, enhance team performance, and sharpen decision-making for smoother, more successful outcomes.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Dr. Josh and Dr. Jodi:
- What is behavioral project management, and how does it differ from traditional project management approaches in terms of improving decision-making and outcomes?
- How does understanding cognitive conditions and designing project management processes around how the brain works lead to better project outcomes compared to traditional methods?
- How do cognitive moderators or filters, like cognitive overload, impact decision-making in projects, and what can be done to manage these effects?
- How can project managers apply behavioral design principles to navigate the effects of time pressure, improve team performance, and ensure better project delivery?
- What role do pressure, process, and people play in the success or failure of a project, and how can managers effectively navigate these factors using behavioral project management strategies?
- How does the NeuralPlan tool help project managers improve prediction accuracy and resource coordination throughout a project by applying behavioral insights?
- Can you share some real-world examples where behavioral project management, using tools like NeuralPlan, has led to significant improvements in project outcomes?
- How can AEC professionals incorporate behavioral principles into their daily project management practices for better long-term outcomes?
- What final piece of advice would you give to AEC professionals about integrating behavioral insights into project management for sustained success?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Implement Behavioral Project Management for Better Performance:
- Behavioral project management goes beyond standard frameworks by focusing on how behaviors influence decision-making throughout a project’s lifecycle. By designing processes around how the brain works, teams identify risks more effectively, define scope better, and achieve improved outcomes compared to traditional methods.
- Considering cognitive conditions and the individual’s role within the project context makes processes more effective. Tailoring management processes to how the team operates ensures more efficient decision-making and reduces errors, leading to better outcomes.
- Cognitive overload overwhelms individuals and slows decision-making. Recognizing when cognitive load becomes too high and taking short breaks helps reset focus, improving decision-making and overall project outcomes.
- Time and social pressures cause mental fatigue and reduce productivity. Managers boost performance by scheduling high-focus tasks during peak mental times and including short breaks, keeping teams energized and improving overall project delivery.
- Pressure, process, and people all impact a project’s success. Using behavioral strategies, such as identifying obstacles early and managing time pressure with well-timed breaks, helps managers effectively navigate these elements and ensure successful outcomes.
- NeuralPlan enhances project management by improving prediction accuracy and resource coordination through behavioral insights. It enables teams to make reliable forecasts, ensuring smoother coordination from planning through execution, leading to better outcomes.
- NeuralPlan improves forecasting accuracy, reducing errors from 50% to as low as 10%. This increased accuracy prevents delays, reduces downtime, and optimizes resource coordination, resulting in significant cost savings on large-scale projects.
- Simple changes like asking more targeted questions or taking short breaks can greatly improve performance. These small adjustments enhance accuracy, boost productivity, and lead to more successful outcomes over time.
- Small behavioral tweaks, such as changing how questions are asked or scheduling breaks, create significant improvements in project efficiency. These low-cost adjustments improve accuracy and productivity, leading to long-term success without major investments.
More Details in This Episode…
About Dr. Josh Ramirez, Ph.D., NPPQ, PMP
Dr. Josh Ramirez, PMP, NPPQ, is CEO of the Institute for Neuro & Behavioral Project Management, which he founded with Dr. Jodi Wilson. Josh is also co-author of the NeuralPlan (www.neural-plan.com) NPPQ master planner certification with Dr. Shari De Baets from Belgium, and he is an adjunct professor of project management, with experience that includes project management and project controls, including work at several national laboratories and other projects throughout the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex.
He has authored best practices for the DOE Energy Facilities Contractors Group and written for other project management periodicals. His doctoral dissertation is titled Toward a Theory of Behavioral Project Management. You can view an introduction to Josh and his colleagues’ work in behavioral project management at https://youtu.be/miqbagN_4dQ. The future of project management is designing PM methodologies around the beings that predict and deliver projects: humans.
About Dr. Jodi Bull Wilson, CSM, Ph.D.
Dr. Jodi Wilson, Ph.D., is a visionary leader and expert in strategic organizational development and behavioral science, with a deep specialization in cognitive and neurobehavioral psychology. As the co-founder and COO of the Institute for Neuro & Behavioral Project Management since August 2018, she has spearheaded innovation and growth, including the development of the NeuralPlan Project Planning Qualification (NPPQ), which led to a 45% increase in membership and significant expansion into Latin America.
In her role with the Veterans Project Management Mentor Alliance, Dr. Wilson enhances career transition pathways for military members, spouses, and veterans into civilian project management. Her strategic leadership has driven transformative growth and operational efficiency in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on strengthening stakeholder relationships aligned with shared values.
As president and principal consultant of Business Psychology Solutions since 2008, Dr. Wilson has crafted strategies that fuel operational excellence and talent development, leading to a 91% contractor retention rate and the creation of impactful leadership development programs. During her tenure as Development Program Manager at CHPRC/CPCCo (2020–2023), she shaped leadership development and succession planning, fostering a strong culture of ethics and compliance within the DOE complex.
A prominent speaker and contributor to the Project Management Institute since 2018, Dr. Wilson has shared her expertise globally, focusing on the integration of neuroscience and project management. Her role as a reviewer for the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology underscores her dedication to advancing the field of behavioral science.
As an educator at Columbia Basin College and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Wilson continues to enrich the academic community. Her passion for excellence and leadership drives her ongoing contributions to project management, behavioral science, and organizational strategy.
Sources/References:
Institute for Neuro and Behavioral Project Management
NeuralPlan
Harrison Assessment
Connect with Dr. Josh Ramirez, Ph.D., NPPQ, PMP, on LinkedIn
Connect with Dr. Jodi Bull Wilson, CSM, Ph.D., on LinkedIn
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on how to implement behavioral project management for better performance.
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