In this episode of The Decision I Didn’t Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Nick Soto, CAE, welcomes Carrie Rocha, PE, CCM, of ECC Corporation, to explore a bold decision that transformed the rehabilitation of MARTA’s Airport Station at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Carrie shares how a $50 million renovation project, originally facing an extended construction timeline while maintaining daily station operations, took an unexpected turn when the project team proposed a complete station shutdown. Through collaboration with transit officials, construction partners, and operations staff, the team developed an alternative transportation plan that allowed construction to proceed around the clock. The result was a six-week shutdown that dramatically accelerated the project and saved at least $6 million. Carrie reflects on the importance of challenging conventional approaches, engaging stakeholders early, and recognizing opportunities to rethink project delivery. The conversation offers valuable lessons in planning, communication, and collaborative decision-making that can lead to better outcomes for complex construction projects.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of The Decision I Didn’t Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Evan Hendershot welcomes Drew White, CCM, of MOCA Systems, to share a lesson in the value of making decisions quickly and collaboratively. He explains how bringing the resident engineer, design manager and project manager together for daily meetings created greater transparency, accelerated decisions and strengthened trust among the project team, contractors and Department of Public Works. The approach ultimately helped reduce delays and change orders while delivering high-quality buildings under budget. Drew also discusses why decision speed can have a direct impact on cost and schedule and shares lessons about partnering, putting people first and investing in professional development through CMAA and the CCM credential.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of The Decision I Didn't Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Evan Hendershot welcomes Barbara Reynolds, CCM, of RK&K, to discuss the challenges of stepping into a $1.2 billion federal program after critical project decisions had already been made. Reynolds shares how inadequate early staffing created immediate challenges and why bringing certified construction managers into the process before design begins can help owners anticipate needs and avoid costly problems. She also reflects on the importance of researching opportunities before taking on a new role, the value of strong people management and communication skills, and why even the toughest projects can provide valuable lessons for construction leaders.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of The Decision I Didn't Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Carly Trout welcomes Don Young, PE, CCM, of MBP to discuss how decisions made long before construction begins can determine a project's success or failure. Don shares the story of a municipal project that stalled after leadership changes, design challenges, and contractor disputes, and explains how his team helped get the project back on track through claims analysis, contract negotiations, and strategic project management. The conversation highlights the importance of early construction management involvement, thoughtful project delivery decisions, and proactive risk management to help owners avoid costly mistakes and keep projects moving forward.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

https://youtu.be/NVqB5JJj8oM

In the inaugural episode of The Decision I Didn't Make, a new spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Nick Soto, CAE, sits down with Juan Alfonso, CCM, president and COO of CES Consultants, to examine a healthcare project where critical early decisions created challenges later in the project lifecycle. Although the team was brought on board after procurement and planning had begun, key decisions regarding project systems and reporting had already been made without the involvement of construction management and PMIS experts.

Juan shares how disconnected financial and project management systems led to reporting delays, data inconsistencies, and frustration among project stakeholders who lacked timely, reliable information. The conversation explores the lessons learned from resetting the project approach, bringing in the right expertise, and establishing clear reporting processes. Juan also offers practical advice for owners and project teams, emphasizing the importance of early planning, asking the right questions about cost and schedule reporting, understanding contract requirements, and developing a comprehensive project management plan before issues emerge.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

In CMAA's limited podcast series, The Decision I Didn’t Make, listeners are introduced to the concept behind the MacLeamy Curve, and why early engagement in construction projects is critical to better outcomes. Through this series, construction management professionals share real-world stories of what happens when teams are brought in too late—and how earlier involvement can reduce costs, improve schedules, and lead to more predictable results. Check out the trailer!

The Decision I Didn't Make podcast is produced by Association Briefings.