Megaproject Conflicts: Hard Science On Handling The Human Element Course

Mark Szabo

This course addresses the critical challenges of managing the human element in large public-facing megaprojects, focusing on the non-technical requirements often overlooked by STEM-trained professionals. Participants will explore the hard science behind complex conflicts and learn how this knowledge applies to public conflict leadership. The course offers practical tools and strategies drawn from multiple disciplines to help project teams survive and thrive in complex environments. Emphasis is placed on developing the right mindset, understanding the root causes of conflicts like the Coherence Trap, and mastering focal thinking. Additionally, learners will acquire skills to navigate internal office dynamics and become persuasive leaders both within their organizations and with external stakeholders.Read more...

Who Should Take This Course
• Engineers and technical experts
• Project managers in large megaprojects
• Business leaders managing public conflicts
• Professionals facing complex stakeholder environments

What You Will Learn
• Science behind complex human conflicts
• Practical tools for conflict mitigation
• Strategies for leading in public conflicts
• Navigating internal organizational challenges

Why This Course Works
• Improve stakeholder persuasion and engagement
• Manage non-technical project risks effectively
• Achieve resilient, adaptive conflict strategies
• Enhance leadership in complex conflict situations

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Course contents

    Chapter 1 - The Nature of Conflicts

    1.00 Course Intro (7 min.)  Sample Lesson

    1.01 The Nature of Conflicts (8 min.) Quiz

    1.02 Finding the Root Cause: The Coherence Trap (15 min.) Quiz

    1.03 Understanding the Impact of Complexity (8 min.) Quiz

    1.04 Why Conflicts are not Negotiations (9 min.) Quiz

    Chapter 2 - Some Science on Complex Conflicts

    2.01 The Theory: Nonlinear Dynamical Systems (12 min.) Quiz

    2.02 The Power of Agent-Based Modelling (8 min.) Quiz

    2.03 Design Thinking Like an Engineer (11 min.) Quiz

    2.04 The Seven Principles of Focal Thinking (8 min.) Quiz

    Chapter 3 - The Focal Thinking Process

    3.01 Why We Are The Obstacle (8 min.) Quiz

    3.02 Managing Conflicts by Key Moments (11 min.) Quiz

    3.03 Change the Interactions (7 min.) Quiz

    3.04 How to be Persuasive in Conflicts (12 min.) Quiz

    Chapter 4 - Navigating Your Office Environment

    4.01 Roadblocks at the Office (6 min.) Quiz

    4.02 How To Use Organizational Change Management (6 min.) Quiz

    4.03 A Practical Roadmap to Collaborative Decision Making (8 min.) Quiz

    4.04 How to Stay Resilient for the Long Term (8 min.)