MAJOR PROJECTS ACADEMY
Executive Education | Professional Accreditation | Chartered Progression
Setting the Standard for Strategic Delivery Excellence
A Leading Authority in 'Mega' Projects
Dr Gary Walker
Founder & Academy Director
Founder
Dr Gary Walker is the Founder and Executive Director of the Major Projects Academy, focused on the strategic management of major infrastructure programs and the role of the client in shaping successful outcomes.
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His work centres on the level at which major programs are defined—mandate, governance, delivery model, and risk—rather than how they are executed.
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Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he has advised governments, infrastructure owners, and leading organisations on the structuring and strategic management of complex capital programs.
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He has held senior executive roles with leading international client and Tier 1 organisations and advised on major international transportation, energy, civil infrastructure programs.
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He has contributed to academic research and teaching in the field of major projects, including the design and delivery of postgraduate programmes focused on strategic program leadership.
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Dr Walker holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in construction and project management, and a doctoral degree specialising in major infrastructure programs. He is a distinguished Fellow of Chartered Management Institute; Chartered Institute Logistics & Transport; Chartered Institute of Building; Association of Project Management; Royal Society of Arts & Commerce; Society for the Environment; and Strategic Management Society, making him one of the worlds leading authorities in major infrastructure programs.
His focus remains consistent: ensuring major programs are structured to succeed—not just delivered efficiently.
Strategic Management of Major Projects
Professional Recognition
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Major Projects Academy is a Recognised Centre of Excellence approved by the Chartered Management Institute, an internationally recognised professional body for leadership, management and consulting excellence.
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Major Projects Academy is dedicated exclusively to advancing the Strategic Management of Major Projects through executive education, applied professional development and professional recognition for leaders responsible for the planning, governance, funding, delivery and long-term stewardship of major infrastructure investment.
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The Strategic Management of Major Projects (SMMP) program brings together executive learning, applied assessment, a strategic thesis and a professional viva voce into a single, integrated program of professional development, designed to prepare leaders to advise and influence the successful delivery of major infrastructure investment throughout its full lifecycle.
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Successful completion of the program results in the award of the Certificate in Strategic Management of Major Projects, jointly awarded by Major Projects Academy and the Chartered Management Institute.
The completed Strategic Management of Major Projects program aligns with UNESCO's International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 7), recognising Master's-level executive professional development.
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In addition to the Joint Certificate, graduates are formally recognised by Major Projects Academy as a Major Projects Advisor (MPA), recognising their demonstrated capability to provide strategic advice across the complete lifecycle of major infrastructure investment—from strategic need and business case development through governance, funding, procurement, programme delivery, operational readiness, benefits realisation and long-term asset stewardship.
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Together, the Joint Certificate in Strategic Management of Major Projects and professional recognition as a Major Projects Advisor (MPA) represent the successful completion of the Academy's integrated executive education, professional development and strategic advisory accreditation pathway.
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The program also provides participants with a recognised pathway towards Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) professional status through the Chartered Management Institute, supporting continued professional development and international recognition within the global management consulting profession.​​
A Complete Executive Development Program
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SMMP provides experienced executives with a structured understanding of the strategic management of major infrastructure programs. The program combines approximately 560 pages of knowledge transfer, 12 international major-project case studies and 10 assessed assignments, allowing participants to develop and progressively demonstrate their understanding of the strategic decisions that shape major programs.
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Delivered online, SMMP can be undertaken alongside an executive's existing professional responsibilities and completed progressively over approximately 12 months.
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The Pathway to Major Projects Advisor
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The SMMP Executive Program is structured in three progressive parts, allowing participants to develop the knowledge, apply it to a real major program and ultimately demonstrate their capability as a Major Projects Advisor.
Pathway
Investment
Part 1
SMMP Executive Program - 560 pages of knowledge transfer, 12 case studies and, 10 assessed assignments
$2,000
Part 2
Funding Mastery & Real-Program Funding Strategy - Develop a 4,000-word funding strategy for an actual major infrastructure program
$1,200
Part 3
Viva Voce & MPA Recognition — defend the strategy and demonstrate professional judgement
$800
Complete MPA Pathway
$4,000
Complete all three parts upfront: $3,600 —
a 10% commitment saving.
Becoming a Major Projects Advisor
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Completion of the taught SMMP Executive Program establishes the knowledge base. Recognition as a Major Projects Advisor (MPA) requires participants to go further.
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Following the Funding Mastery Module, participants develop a funding strategy for a real major infrastructure program, requiring them to bring together strategic, financial, commercial, governance and delivery considerations into a credible program proposition.
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The final viva voce requires participants to explain and defend their strategy and professional judgement.​ Successful completion of the complete pathway results in recognition by Major Projects Academy as a Major Projects Advisor (MPA).
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MPG Strategic Partner Access
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MPG strategic partners can make SMMP available directly to executives within their organizations without establishing or administering formal cohorts. Executives introduced through participating MPG strategic partners receive a 40% preferential enrolment rate, reducing the complete three-part MPA pathway from $4,000 to.................................$2,400. That is a 'whopping' 60% reduction in added staff development value to the organisation leadership expertise and meag program capability.
Enrollment, online access, assessment and progression are managed directly by Major Projects Academy.
