In this episode, I talk with Meghan Burbank, LEED AP, Vice President and Engineering Operations Manager at CP Engineers, about overcoming project management challenges in the AEC industry. We explore proven strategies for managing regulatory compliance, empowering diverse teams, and leveraging evolving digital tools like Civil 3D and GIS. Meghan shares hard-earned insights from her 25-year engineering journey, including the complexities of leading large-scale infrastructure projects like the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment. If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership in civil engineering, streamline processes, and tackle technical demands head-on, this discussion has essential takeaways you can implement right away.
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Meghan:
- What inspired your career path in civil engineering and how did you advance into the role of vice president?
- What types of AEC projects present the biggest project management challenges and how do you overcome them?
- How do you manage complex compliance requirements while keeping project schedules and budgets aligned?
- What techniques help you keep diverse project teams motivated and unified on technically demanding projects?
- What strategies do you use to manage stakeholder expectations and communication in large-scale infrastructure projects?
- What project management tools have evolved in the AEC industry and which ones have had the most impact on your work?
- Which project has been most rewarding from a project management perspective, and what lessons did it provide?
- What advice do you have for project managers in the AEC industry looking to advance their leadership skills?
- What is the most common project management pitfall in AEC projects and how can professionals avoid it?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Overcoming Project Management Challenges in Civil Engineering Projects:
- A passion for solving real-world problems and a drive to take on new challenges have fueled her decades-long rise in civil engineering. By embracing varied responsibilities early and learning tools like AutoCAD and Civil 3D, she has built the skills needed to lead complex projects and operations today.
- The most challenging projects involve large-scale redevelopment in active, high-traffic environments with many stakeholders, like LaGuardia Airport. Managing these requires advanced planning, strong coordination, and cutting-edge tools to avoid costly delays and design conflicts.
- Balancing compliance and schedules begins with honest stakeholder conversations early in the process. Understanding evolving regulations and building parallel workflows help keep teams productive and avoid last-minute redesigns.
- Setting clear goals, communicating openly, and encouraging collaboration create team alignment and motivation. Recognizing contributions and listening actively empower team members and strengthen results even amid technical complexity.
- An adaptable communication plan that reflects the priorities of all stakeholders builds buy-in from the start. Maintaining transparency through consistent updates and feedback loops prevents conflict and keeps large-scale infrastructure projects in sync.
- Cloud-based software like Deltek Ajera, BIM 360, and Civil 3D improves visibility, accuracy, and real-time sharing across dispersed AEC teams. These tools eliminate manual workflows and optimize modeling, leading to faster, higher-quality project delivery.
- The LaGuardia Airport project was a defining experience due to its scale, coordination demands, and high-stakes expectations. It taught the value of integrating workflows, managing risk, and adapting to unanticipated real-world scenarios that impact every aspect of engineering.
- Leadership in project management starts with mastering soft skills like communication, expectation setting, organization, and active listening. These skills, built through experience and mentorship, allow professionals to navigate complexity and lead with confidence.
- Missing alignment and unclear scopes at the beginning of a project often lead to delays and budget issues later. Investing time in kickoff meetings, defining expectations, documenting decisions, and listening to team input ensures a well-organized, transparent process from start to finish.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest
Meghan Burbank, LEED AP
Meghan Burbank, LEED AP is Vice President and Engineering Operations Manager at CP Engineers, where she applies her 20 years of experience in civil engineering design and project management.
Her experience comprises a wide array of expertise, including landfill design and construction; utility layout and design; hydraulic and hydrologic modeling for municipalities and private site development; and large- and small-scale commercial, industrial, municipal and residential land development design and permitting.
Meghan has led several project teams in completing both permitting, design and construction administration for water system improvement projects, site development projects, artificial turf system installation, gas collection systems, sanitary landfill baseliner and capping construction projects, and leachate pump station projects for sanitary landfills. She has been involved in the design of water storage, treatment and distribution improvement projects.
About the Host
Fiona Johann, PMP, AEC PM
Fiona Johann, PMP, joined The Engineering Management Institute as the strategic initiatives team leader in February 2025. With eight years of experience in developing leadership programs in an academic setting, she brings valuable expertise in planning and executing impactful initiatives. Fiona utilizes her PMP certification and program management skills to oversee events like PM AEC Connect and optimize internal processes for improved efficiency. Based in central North Carolina, she combines her strategic approach with a passion for driving successful outcomes at EMI.
Sources/References:
CP Engineers, Architecture and Environmental Services
AutoCAD
Civil 3D
GIS (ArcGIS by Esri)
Deltek Ajera
Procore
BIM 360 (Autodesk Construction Cloud)
Bluebeam Revu
Microsoft Teams
Connect with Meghan Burbank, LEED A.P., on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
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