How Big Things Get Done

Megaproject experts Bent Flyvbjerg and bestselling author Dan Gardner reveal the secrets to successful planning and execution of ambitious projects of any scale. The construction, architecture, urban planning, project management, and renovation bestseller is now available in German for the first time! “Important, timely, educational, and entertaining. What more could you ask for?” - Daniel Kahneman.

Nothing is more inspiring than a grand vision that becomes a triumphant reality. For instance, Apple's iPod evolved from a project with just one employee to an incredibly successful product launch in eleven months. However, such successes are the exception: think of Stuttgart 21, Berlin's airport, and the Elbphilharmonie. Even more modest endeavors often fail, whether it's starting a small business, organizing a conference, or simply completing a work project on time. Why?

“After studying the characteristics of planning failures, I am confident that no one has studied the topic more broadly and deeply than Bent Flyvbjerg. His focus ranges from the Olympics to renovating your doghouse.” - Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

Oxford professor Bent Flyvbjerg identifies the mistakes that lead to project failures and outlines the principles that ensure a project's success:

• Understand your opportunities. If you don’t know them, you won’t win.
• Plan slowly, act quickly. Jumping into action feels right but is often wrong.
• Think from right to left. Start with your goal and then identify the steps to get there.
• Find your Lego. Great things are best built from small beginnings.
• Master the unknown unknowns. Many believe it can’t be done, which is why they fail. Flyvbjerg shows how it works.

Filled with vivid examples, from the construction of the Sydney Opera House to...