011 - Resource Planning, PMOs & the Future of AI with Ahmed AbdelSalam

What does it really take to staff, structure, and control multi-billion-dollar programs?

Ahmed AbdelSalam shares hard-earned lessons on resource planning, building high-impact PMOs, and how AI is reshaping project controls.

In this episode of The Major Project Podcast, Orion sits down with Ahmed AbdelSalam, a senior PMO and project controls leader who has delivered multi-billion-dollar programs across life sciences, healthcare, and technology sectors. With experience spanning CBRE, Turner & Townsend, and Fortune 500 portfolios, Ahmed shares practical insights from both the owner-rep and program leadership perspective.

The conversation begins with resource planning - why the right people determine project success, and how owners should think about insourcing vs. outsourcing, career paths, visa constraints, compensation strategy, and long-term retention. Ahmed outlines a structured approach to building a resource plan, from defining project complexity to aligning with client culture and long-term portfolio needs.

They then dive deep into PMO strategy, breaking down the difference between advisory, supporting, and controlling PMO models. Ahmed explains how modern PMOs create visibility, standardization, and accountability across large programs - covering cost, schedule, risk, procurement, finance, data analytics, document control, and communications.

The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on AI in project controls. While AI is already transforming reporting, dashboards, and communication, Ahmed argues it’s not a replacement for human judgment - rather, it’s a productivity amplifier for teams navigating today’s tight talent market.

If you’re building or staffing billion-dollar programs, this episode is packed with practical frameworks and leadership lessons.

🎧 You’ll Learn

• How to build a structured resource plan for complex programs
• When to insource vs. outsource project controls functions
• The real differences between advisory, supporting, and controlling PMOs
• Why standardization (WBS, reporting, governance) is critical at scale
• How AI is impacting reporting, estimating, scheduling, and communication
• Why career growth - not compensation - is the #1 driver of employee engagement