Why the delivery of infrastructure projects requires a comprehensive approach

Accenture’s Paraic Rattigan is exploring his role as an infrastructure manager and capital project manager in an environment that looks very different from when he first started.

“I’ve always had an interest in engineering and the built environment and enjoy solving technical problems,” explains Paraic Rattigan, infrastructure manager and project head at Accenture.

He told SiliconRepublic.com that, as was common with his generation growing up in Ireland, he saw firsthand the job opportunities created during the Celtic Tiger’s construction – which led him to pursue a degree in civil engineering.

“I did my undergraduate degree in civil engineering at UCD, back when the faculty was one of the few left based in Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin. I was still young when I finished my undergraduate studies and enjoyed student life, so I chose to pursue a postgraduate degree soon after and eventually got a PhD.”

What educational and work experiences led you to your current role?

Since then, I have worked for international engineering consulting firms, in Ireland and Canada. During my time in Canada, I felt a desire to expand my professional knowledge, so I did an MBA at the University of British Columbia and moved on to other strategic and consulting roles.

Eventually the draw to return to Ireland proved too strong and I moved back with my partner (now wife) Jackie in 2019. Since settling in Ireland, I have held public sector roles supporting research, policy and economic development, across sectors such as renewable energy, transport, sustainability and manufacturing. I joined Accenture’s growing Infrastructure and Capital Projects team in early 2024.

What are the biggest surprises or challenges you have encountered in your career and how did you deal with them?

I think the diversity and breadth of roles required to deliver large scale projects was something that many, including myself, underestimated.

It needs to move from a narrow perspective focused on engineers, architects and contractors, we understand that successfully delivering large-scale infrastructure requires a knowledgeable community of professionals including legal, commercial, administrative, technical, and traditional construction and crafts professionals. I think that the role and importance of local and national government, from a long-term strategic perspective, planning, policy and budgeting is often underestimated in the delivery of long-term projects and plans, although this now seems to be changing.

And, in retrospect, the rate and speed of technological advancement in society as a whole and in the workplace is amazing.

When I started at UCD, mobile phones were commonplace and laptops were rare at undergraduate level, but within just a few years they were the norm and quickly becoming more important in both personal and business perspectives.

Since then, it seems that every few years there is a change in working methods, from pivot to digital tools, to cloud solutions, to hybrid and remote working and now the adoption of artificial intelligence. The modern workforce must be very agile and open to change and disruption.

What do you enjoy about your job?

Construction has traditionally been slow to adopt technology and project teams are often identified as a barrier to change. But the reality is that complex projects come with significant time and cost pressures.

The exciting thing now is that the tipping point has been reached, where building faster, with greater sustainability and greater control means any efficiency gain is truly valuable. Accenture has embraced that change, combining its history of technology delivery and digital transformation with capital project expertise and being part of that effort to reinvent the construction industry is what I find empowering in my role.

What aspects of your personality do you feel make you suitable for this job?

Since no two days or assignments are ever the same, having the ability to problem solve, organize and understand how to prioritize tasks is especially beneficial. I also take a logical approach to most projects and like to refer back to intended outcomes and plan accordingly.

Complex problems need to be broken down early into parts, otherwise they can become overwhelming. My work so far has taught me that an upfront investment in planning (no matter how small the task), and adequate short-term testing facilities, often pays off in the long run.

How has your current company supported you in your career path?

There are always interesting opportunities, whether they are in areas I already have experience in or in new emerging areas.

Since joining Accenture, I have been involved in projects across power generation and transmission, transportation, healthcare and the latest data centers. I have benefited greatly from working with international industry experts on all these projects. Also, I think hybrid performance has been a game changer for many including me. Living outside the Dublin belt and with a young family, the ability to work seamlessly with our domestic and international teams has been huge for me.

What advice would you give to those considering a career in this area, or just starting out?

Be curious, ask questions and do your research. There are so many diverse and exciting skills needed to deliver big projects and with such a current demand there really is an opportunity in the field for everyone, no matter where you see your strengths or interests.

Also, remember that tasks are never consistent or predetermined. I constantly meet people from different backgrounds and educational paths who have evolved and changed paths many times before ending up in the role they love. Most importantly, be proactive in shaping the direction of your career. Like life, your career is a journey, not a destination.

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