Book Review: How Big Things Get Done — Bent Flyvbjerg

Murphy would love this book.

Bent Flyvbjerg’s How Big Things Get Done reads like an operations manual for Murphy’s Law: if anything can go wrong, it will. And it often does. But unlike most business books that offer vague motivational mantras or romanticized founder tales, this one digs deep into the science—and the mess—of large projects, and comes back with sobering, practical insights.

Flyvbjerg’s core argument is as blunt as it is true: most projects fail not because of unproven technologies, but because of human impatience. In government, business, or tech, leaders tend to rush into delivery, fueled by politics, ego, or PR milestones. The result? Projects overrun, overspend, or underdeliver—sometimes all three.

But it’s not all doom and delay. The good news is that there’s a way out—and it starts with something boring: planning. Thorough, thoughtful, front-loaded planning. Flyvbjerg shows that when time is invested upfront to design, simulate, and align, time is saved down the line in execution. A strong plan isn't a bureaucratic luxury. It’s a speed advantage.

Another secret weapon? Modularity. Whether you’re building IKEA furniture or solar farms, modular design drastically reduces complexity, improves predictability, and accelerates delivery. This explains one of the book’s standout findings: solar power projects almost always finish on time and on budget. Compare that with nuclear, where every project is a bespoke challenge and delays are measured in years.

And then there’s team alignment. Using the example of Heathrow Terminal 5, Flyvbjerg highlights how success during execution depends less on the tech, and more on how well the team communicates, coordinates, and adapts. If planning is the engine, team dynamics are the oil—silent but essential.

The final chapter hits home for anyone in climate tech: the stakes. Deploying clean technologies isn’t just about innovation—it’s about scale and speed. And for that, Flyvbjerg’s lessons are invaluable. Rushing leads to failure. Smart planning and modularity unlock speed. And if you care about scaling up climate solutions (like I do), this book might just become your FOAK playbook.

Highly recommended.