BRUC student Peter De Haan is undertaking a PhD Scholarship in Systems Engineering with the University of South Australia. He describes for us his unique experience and how this has led to his current study path. His work in this field is ground-breaking and brings together decades of professional experience in various fields. He is a valued member of our campus and we hope to see his work published soon.
In 2002, my Engineering Manager asked me a question that has since resonated throughout my career: “How can large, well-resourced projects, even when guided by best practices, still go awry?” Bent Flyvbjerg’s recent research underscores this issue, revealing that 90% of megaprojects fail to meet their deadlines, budgets, or scope (or even all three). Yet, the number of these huge undertakings continues to rise globally each year.
After leaving the Defence sector in 2006, my career took a detour through knowledge management initiatives before I transitioned to lecturing in Systems Engineering, Project Management, and New Venture Creation at the University of Adelaide. Now, as I pursue my PhD on “large-scale acquisitions under conditions of uncertainty,” I’m delving into how major businesses, startups, and Defence projects each tackle the uncertainties of an ever-changing, complex global landscape. After journeying through business, entrepreneurship, project management and complexity science, the fundamental question remains elusive. While there may not be a magical solution, our approach to these problems and the systems we implement seem to be key constraints to success.
Barossa Campus is proud to support Peter's valuable work. He shares his experience of the campus here.
I’m deeply grateful for the Barossa Campus, which has significantly reduced my travel time and provided a conducive environment for writing up my research. Engaging with fellow students and learning about their diverse experiences and areas of study has been enlightening. As I approach the final stages of my research, the campus offers a quiet refuge where I can work late evenings without disrupting the household.
Click here to find out more about research degrees with UniSA
