John Hollmann works with capital program managers and project leaders to improve cost estimating, project control and cost/schedule risk quantification practices.

John Hollmann is one of the top influencers in cost engineering.

Watch my interview with John Hollmann for some insights on how you too can become an influencer in your field.

During this insightful interview, John talks about the difference between cost engineering and project controls, how he developed the Total Cost Management (TCM) framework, why he switched from cost engineering to quantitative risk analysis, and what made him write his book, Project Risk Quantification. In addition, he shares some great tips and insights for growing your career in project controls.

Download the free audio mp3 podcast of this episode on iTunes.

Summary of John Hollmann’s Insights on How to Become an Influencer in Your Field

Here is a summary of what it takes to become an influencer and leader in your field:

Be Curious and Read

If you want to understand how things work, be curious and read as much as you can. John Hollmann reads constantly. He not only reads 35 to 40 books a year, but he also reads on all of the topics that he’s studying.

Reading is the foundation of everything.

Synthesize the Knowledge and Put It in Action

It’s not just about reading. While you study, review, and read papers, make a sense of them in your mind and synthesize all that knowledge into something practical that can be put into action.

Write

In order to be recognized as an expert, leader, and influencer in your field, reading and applying the knowledge learned is not enough. Eventually, you should write and talk about what you have gained. As John Hollmann points out, “You don’t need to be the expert to write a paper. You write the paper to become an expert.”

Take Charge of Your Own Career

Take control of your own career.

Nobody is going to manage your career. Nobody’s going to educate you.

Don’t expect your employer to pay for your education. It’s your job to educate yourself so you can be in charge of your career growth.

Leverage Your Network

Get involved and leverage the associations to the max. There’s so much opportunity.

You can not only write and present but also serve as a committee chair or develop a product. You’re going to learn and meet other people along the way.

That is how you gain visibility and people start listening to you and following you as a leader and influencer.

Resources

• The Audio version of the interview with John Hollmann on Project Controls Mastery Podcast
• Project Risk Quantification Book by John Hollmann. Once you purchase the book, contact John, and request the complimentary software in excel related to the book.
• Validation Estimating LLC website
• Cost & Schedule Risk Analysis Online Training
• Project Controls Training Programs
• Project Controls Video Tutorials

About John Hollmann, PE CCP CEP DRMP FAACE, Hon. Life AACE

John Hollmann, author of the book “Project Risk Quantification”, owns Validation Estimating (VE) LLC. He works with capital program managers and project leaders to improve cost estimating, project control and cost/schedule risk quantification practices. John regularly reviews major international estimates and conducts risk analyses in support of investment decision making and contingency setting. Mr. Hollmann is a frequent speaker at international conferences, has written many papers and was the lead author of the AACE®International text; the Total Cost Management (TCM) Framework.

John is an Honorary Life Member of AACE®, recipient of their Award of Merit and Lifetime Achievement Awards. He is former Director of Recommended Practices at AACE® and also led the development of the AACE® Decision and Risk Management Professional certification.

Prior to founding Validation Estimating (VE), Mr. Hollmann led the Cost Engineering Committee metrics and research efforts at Independent Project Analysis, Inc.

John is a registered Professional Engineer, a Certified Cost Professional, a CertifiedEstimating Professional and a Decision and Risk Management Professional.

       

About the Interviewer, Dr. Kamran Akbarzadeh

Dr. Kamran Akbarzadeh is co-director of Project Control Academy and founder of Dream Achievers Academy.  With his Amazon best-selling and international award-winning book, Leadership Soup, Kamran is an internationally recognized leadership and success expert. 

With years of experience as project manager and subject matter expert in big oil and gas companies, and as a successful entrepreneur, Kamran believes that everyone has the potential to achieve what he or she truly wants in life. His desire for adding value to people and helping them grow and achieve their dreams and visions motivated him to establish Dream Achievers Academy and write his second book Get What You Want, which also became an award winner.

Kamran’s vision is to passionately add value to people around the world and inspire them to realize their potential and fulfill their dreams. And his mission is simply to serve.

As an inspiring and motivational speaker, seminar leader, and coach, Kamran equips his audience with profound tools, techniques, and solutions to hone their skills, increase their influence, get what they want, and achieve long-lasting success in their personal and professional lives as a result.

Kamran holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, PMP with Project Management Institute, and Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International.