Megaproject Management: Lessons on Risk and Project Management from the Big Dig

Acknowledgments

There continues to be a desperate need for innovative project managers, as evidenced by the numerous endeavors to improve the quality of life for so many, particularly those from the poorest and most war-torn countries in the world. Academic scholarship, sometimes overlooked in the urgent desire to get things built, plays an important role in the improvement of projects. As I explored the tremendous amount of research that has already been done on large projects, I was truly grateful for the honest evaluations and thoughtful analysis of so many diverse projects in our universe—from deepwater and underground tunneling to livable communities for the poorest of our society, the great space explorations, and the Next Generation Air Transportation Systems (NextGen).

I have many to thank for their tremendous contributions to this book in bringing the story of the management of the world's largest inner-city engineering project to life. The names of those to whom this book is indebted are legion. They include my students, who instill in me my passion for teaching and enlighten me with their enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity. I am also thankful to my fellow professors and colleagues, especially those who provided insight and new direction and guided me when I went astray.

To my talented and dedicated research assistance, Nora Estrella, who coordinated thousands of documents, explored every avenue of research on megaprojects, and labored over every detail, there are ...