About This Episode
Raji Rai, co-founder of Vastra (with business partner Jen), brings a client-side project management perspective with 12-13 years experience. Originally a mechanical engineer (oil and gas, building services), she transitioned to external PM because she wanted "a bigger lens" and the people side. Vastra (meaning "vast opportunities in the blue ocean", also Hindi for "clothing") specialises in commercial interiors and data centres. Founded during the downturn, "it can only go up if you're starting in down." She outlines five pillars of good project management: (1) Protect the vision, client engaged from day one, hold their vision like a beacon, tell them the truth even if it hurts; (2) Plumb information, visual updates instead of long reports that nobody reads, word pictures over words, video links over meeting minutes; (3) Governance, not just reports and PCGs but foreseeing issues before they happen, keeping clients informed and empowered; (4) Create a vibe, be genuine, don't get contractual on day one, build relationships so people pick up the phone willingly; (5) Add value at every step, critical thinking as an asset, don't be a "postbox" who just forwards emails. Andy pushes her on risk management as the PM's most powerful lever, the ability to influence who manages risk rather than just pushing it downstream via NZS 3910. On AI, Raji argues against using AI to speed up already bloated systems, instead fix the root cause: reduce RFIs by improving design coordination, reduce meeting minutes by reducing unnecessary meetings. "980 RFIs means you have a design problem, go back and fix it."
Key Topics Discussed
- Five pillars of PM. Protect vision, plumb information, governance, create vibe, add value.
- Client-side PM. External, "bigger lens," people side.
- Vastra. Commercial interiors + data centres, founded in downturn with partner Jen.
- Visual reporting. Word pictures, video links, graphical updates instead of long documents.
- Risk management. PM's most powerful lever, stop pushing risk downstream.
- AI critique. Don't use AI to speed up bloated processes, fix root cause instead.
- "980 RFIs means you have a design problem". Go back to the root.
- Commercial interiors complexity. Integrated fit-outs, finishes compliance, every wall different.
- Data centres. Technically challenging (CFD modeling, airflow), exciting.
Notable Quotes
"Protect the vision", first pillar of good project management.
"980 RFIs means you have a design problem, go back and fix it."
"Don't use AI to speed up a bloated system, fix the root cause of the bloat."
Guest Background
Raji Rai (full name Raja Rajeshwari Rai) is co-founder of Vastra with business partner Jen. Mechanical engineer by education. 12-13 years in external client-side project management, specialising in commercial interiors and data centres. Previously worked in oil and gas, building services.
