Edwina Hayward

Senior Principal Consultant, BMT

Edwina (Edi) Hayward is a highly experienced programme management consultant, and an effective leader within BMT’s Management Consultancy team. As an experienced project manager with an engineering background, Edi takes a calm, structured approach to solving complex client challenges, consistently delivering outcomes that are valued and impactful.

As BMT’s P3M capability lead, she ensures that consultancy remains equipped to meet evolving client needs and delivers excellent quality outputs. Edi leads the APM Planning, Monitoring and Control Interest Network, contributing to good practice guidance to the wider project controls profession.

Session |  Project Controls: Separating Fact from Fiction

Project controls have existed in one form or another for decades, but it is only in the last 10–15 years that they have become a core discipline within major programmes and projects. As organisations face increasing complexity, tighter budgets, and greater scrutiny, project controls have evolved from a back-office reporting function into a critical enabler of informed decision-making and successful delivery.

Despite this growing importance, a number of myths and misconceptions continue to surround the profession. Are project controls simply about producing schedules? Do they only exist to report bad news? Earned Value Management will save my project? Project Controls and Governance are different? Project Controllers are toolset jockeys? Just follow the process and it will be fine?

This session will challenge perceptions, debunk long-held assumptions, and demonstrate why effective project controls are more important than ever in delivering successful projects in an increasingly uncertain world.

Key Takeaway: Project controls are not just about measuring performance—they are about providing the insight and foresight needed to make better decisions and improve delivery confidence.