PGCS - 2025 Canberra

---

I was honored to present my research at the Project Governance and Controls Symposium (PGCS) 2025 in Canberra — one of Australia’s leading forums bringing together defense, government, and industry professionals to explore innovation in project delivery and governance.

My presentation focused on rethinking governance for complex projects. Traditional governance models often struggle under conditions of uncertainty, interdependence, and dynamic stakeholder environments. Through my research at the University of Adelaide, I have been developing the Integrated and Dynamic Complexity Governance Model (IDCGM) — a framework that draws on systems thinking, paradox theory, and contingency theory to provide a more adaptive, resilient, and practical approach to project governance.

During the session, I explored three key ideas:

1. Governance as a dynamic system – not a fixed structure, but one that must evolve with project complexity.

2. The role of paradoxes and tensions – stability vs. change, control vs. flexibility, explicit vs. intuitive knowledge — as levers for better decision-making.

3. Tools for practice – including diagnostic layers and radar maps that help project leaders tailor governance to the realities of their environment.

The discussion in Canberra reinforced the growing recognition that governance is no longer about compliance alone. It is about enabling outcomes, navigating uncertainty, and fostering collaboration across complex ecosystems.

I am grateful to the PGCS organisers, fellow presenters, and the many professionals who engaged with me during and after the session. Your questions and perspectives continue to shape and strengthen this research.