APM South Wales and West of England Network: Are Soft Skills Critical to Project Success?

In recent years people are becoming more aware of the importance of ‘soft skills’. The project culture and underlying behaviours can have a massive impact on the success or failure of a project. Based on the extensive experience of the ‘Project Controls in the 21st Century’ authors, this presentation put across the importance of ‘culture and behaviours’ in successful projects. This event was held on 3 December 2025.

This presentation was based on the latest Project Controls in the 21st Century’ book published by APM in conjunction with the Controls and Skills Authority CaSA (formerly AcostE).

The presentation focussed on People and Behaviours and will refer to some of the chapters in the ‘Project Controls in the 21st Century’ book:

• Leadership Culture & Behaviours (Chapter 4)
• Communication & Problem Solving (Chapter 5)
• Developing Competencies (Chapter 6)

When starting a project, it can be easy to think that once the team has been recruited and the project controls procedures are in place, then the project will surely succeed. However in recent years people are becoming more aware of the importance of ‘soft skills’ whereby the project culture and underlying behaviours can have a significant impact on the success or failure of a project.

The speakers have very kindly allowed their presented material to be made available for viewing. The slides on Slideshare are now available in our APM resources area and also embedded below for reference.

Speakers -

Milla Mazilu BEM, Head of Advanced Analytics, Network Rail Wales & Western.

Milla began her railway career in 2005, initially working with Union Railways on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (now known as High Speed 1) and then with Network Rail, the largest railway infrastructure owner for Great Britain. Over the years, Milla has focused on programme controls, planning, scheduling, and integration in the railway industry. In her current role in Wales & Western Region, Milla is leading initiatives in project data analytics across the capital delivery portfolio.

Milla is a keen volunteer, having supported the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways as a permanent way worker, the Royal Academy of Engineering with Project CARE, as well as the Association for Project Management (APM) in a variety of roles. Her work with Network Rail and the Royal Academy of Engineering was recognised with the honour of a British Empire Medal in 2022.

Within APM, Milla has been a passionate and active volunteer, joining the Planning, Monitoring & Control interest group in 2014 and becoming the group’s chair in 2016. That same year Milla was elected as a charity trustee of APM. Later, in 2020, Milla was elected as Deputy Chair of the Board, followed by her election as Chair of the Board in 2022 where she remained until end of her nine years on the Board in 2025. Milla continues to support the APM's charitable purpose, currently chairing the Audit & Assurance Committee and the Remunerations Committee.

Milla’s passion is for innovation and lifelong learning; she will either be found working, volunteering, or learning something new.

Keith Haward FAPM, Associate Director (Retired) – Member of the APM Planning, Monitoring & Control Interest Network.

Keith had a distinguished career spanning over 45 years before his retirement in 2014. Throughout his career, he focused on Planning and Project Controls, advancing to the position of Planning Director. His expertise was highly valued in the construction, rail, and nuclear industries both in the UK and internationally.

In the rail sector, Keith made substantial contributions to projects such as CTRL (Channel Tunnel Rail Link), Crossrail, HS2, and in London Underground, where he served for almost 12 years across various departments. His international experience included tenures in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Poland, and France. The spell in France was on the nuclear fusion project ITER, in Cadarache, Provence in 2010.

One of Keith's most cherished projects was the Olympic Park Enabling Works, where he worked from 2007 to 2009. Towards the end of his career, he consulted for Turner & Townsend on Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport, as well as engaging in short-term collaborations with Network Rail and the Battersea Power Station development.

Keith joined the Association for Project Management (APM) in 1991 and was awarded Fellow status in 2019. Keith has been an APM volunteer over the past 13 years, both as active participant in the Planning, Monitoring and Control group, where he also served as Co-Chair, as well as volunteering extensively for STEM and higher education initiatives.