澳门玄机图

A path paved with military experience

When 澳门玄机图鈥� Senior Project Manager Luke Staples was a teenager, he had an inkling that after high school, he鈥檇 likely join the Australian Army. The grandson of two WWII veterans, Luke was always interested in his family鈥檚 history and military background. When the time came to make a commitment, he chose to follow in the footsteps of the men that came before him. What sealed the deal was the opportunity to gain an engineering degree while serving his country. 

鈥淭he Army offered a paid degree along with a salary, which aligned perfectly with my interests in science, math, and the challenge and adventure of the Defence force,鈥� he recalls. 

After six years of study and graduating with a civil engineering degree, Luke鈥檚 career naturally gravitated towards project management (PM) instead of using his qualifications in a technical manner. While he wasn鈥檛 crunching equations, he leveraged his engineering skills to identify gaps in the construction process and offer insights into sequences and timelines.   

In 2022, Luke added another feather to his cap, completing a Master of Project Management with the University of New South Wales (UNSW).   

These days, Luke brings his military skills in PM to 澳门玄机图, demonstrating the ability to transition successfully into the civilian sector, and showcasing the potential for a fulfilling, impactful career beyond the uniform. 

Leadership in action: Transferable skills from a military career

In the military, most activities are project-based. Planning, executing, and monitoring projects come with the territory. Luke鈥檚 military career was characterised by significant leadership roles and complex projects. 

In 2016, he was deployed as a Construction Troop Commander to Papua New Guinea (PNG), overseeing a team of tradespeople and managing various contracts. He spent around five months, with breaks, stationed in PNG, Australia鈥檚 closest neighbour. 

Papua New Guinea is known for its volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and a tribal culture deeply rooted in traditional customs 鈥� as well as being the most linguistically diverse country in the world. The PNG experience added a new chapter to Luke鈥檚 career, exposing him to an environment he had never encountered before.

鈥淏eing there was eye-opening. It was a different environment, especially when it came to sourcing materials, engaging contractors, and accessing construction capability, which required a fine balance between bringing in skilled labour and engaging local communities,鈥� Luke explains.   

As the Construction Troop Commander, Luke not only oversaw 22 tradespeople on-site, but also managed contractors delivering adjacent works. The position sharpened his planning and execution skills, particularly in international logistics. He successfully managed the redevelopment of two office headquarters, a two-storey accommodation block for soldiers and established a workers鈥� accommodation precinct that could hold up to 150 residents. 

Overcoming challenges in remote project management

Luke鈥檚 next international deployment took him to a remote region to the east of the Solomon Islands. He remembers this as a uniquely challenging experience, marked by logistical hurdles. 

鈥淭he remoteness was unique. Just getting there was an adventure, with two flights a week off a dirt runway for 16 people. If you missed the plane, your only option was a two-day sail from the nearest port. I did that twice, once from Cairns and another time from Honiara,鈥� he recalls.

鈥淲e also lived onboard the ship we arrived on and had to be self-sufficient. There wasn鈥檛 a grocery store we could just pop into, or even a medical clinic. We took medical supplies with us, along with qualified medics.鈥� 

In Temotu province, Luke led a team of specialists conducting hydrographic, land, and environmental surveys to inform the site selection for the Eastern Border Outpost, as decided by the Solomon Islands Government. 

This infrastructure project was part of the Indo-Pacific Capital Infrastructure Program and the Pacific Step-up initiative, enhancing border protection on the eastern coast. 

As the 12th Chief Engineer Works (12 CE Works) project manager on the island, Luke oversaw the entire project lifecycle, including managing political sensitivities and engaging with local authorities such as the Police Force, Department of Health, and the Department of Disaster Relief. His adaptability to different environments and cultural settings was crucial to the success of each project. 

鈥淚n both PNG and the Solomon Islands, it was a learning experience. Sometimes, our idea of deadlines didn鈥檛 match the local communities, and that could be challenging. But we got to know the cultures, built relationships, and struck a balance to meet our timelines without imposing our expectations.鈥�

鈥淚 also learnt the importance of engaging people with the right skill sets, while ensuring local communities could enhance their own abilities and enjoy economic growth through substantial projects.鈥� 

鈥淯nderstanding and respecting local cultures while managing projects was key to each accomplishment,鈥� he adds.  

Transitioning from a military role to a civilian career in PM

With over a decade of Army experience, Luke decided it was time for a change. Yet the transition from military to civilian life can be fraught with uncertainty, and Luke was anxious about what he describes as 鈥渓anding his first real job鈥�. Instead, he found a supportive environment at 澳门玄机图. 

鈥淭he military is regimented; I was searching for flexibility in my schedule to support my family more. The cultural aspects and work-life balance at 澳门玄机图 were major attractions. 澳门玄机图 also had a deep understanding of my discharge process, and it has veteran-friendly policies which made my transition smoother.鈥�

鈥淛oining 澳门玄机图, I found many ex-Defence people in PM, making the cultural shift easy. The camaraderie from Defence is still present here.鈥�

Luke has successfully managed to bridge the two worlds of project management. His Army-honed skills in communication, leadership, and problem-solving have been invaluable in his civilian role. 
 
鈥淒efence requires a lot of processes and procedures, so from a project management perspective it is very similar and that definitely made the learning curve a lot easier coming out of uniform and into 澳门玄机图.鈥�

The biggest link between the two worlds for Luke has been problem-solving 鈥� which is the motivation that gets him up in the mornings. 

鈥淚 like problem-solving. Seeing both sides of an argument and finding common ground has been beneficial to me in my PM role, both in the Army and at 澳门玄机图.鈥� 

PM skills for life: on a journey of continuous learning

After chalking up nine years of experience as a project manager, Luke has learned two important lessons in his career: fine-tuning time management skills and absorbing insights from experienced colleagues. 

鈥淟ean into experienced project managers. Even if you think you know the answer, bouncing ideas off them can offer new perspectives and ensure continuous learning,鈥� Luke advises.  

While Luke entered his latest role with well-rounded expertise, it鈥檚 also been a learning curve, expanding his horizons. He has relished the opportunity to continue upskilling. 

鈥淚鈥檝e gained experience in business management and commercial aspects of project management, which I hadn鈥檛 dealt with while in uniform.鈥�

Looking ahead, Luke is open to exploring other PM areas. 

鈥淚 know that these new skills will prepare me for diverse opportunities. Working on different types of infrastructure projects, like the project our team delivered for the National Gallery of Australia, interests me.鈥�