MEDIJATOR Marko Šimac

Guest Marko ŠimacHosted by Srđan ŠimacMay 3, 2026

Marko Šimac

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The year's twin shocks — a global pandemic and a devastating earthquake — forced many businesses into an immediate, reactive "firefighting" mode. But for Marko Šimac, a project management expert and educator, these events underscore a deeper truth: the most successful ventures are built on foresight, not just rapid response. He argues that true project management isn't about navigating the known; it's about anticipating and mitigating the *unknown*. Šimac, a civil engineer by training who quickly moved into project management, sees its principles now extending far beyond heavy industry to every sector, from healthcare to local farms. His work involves training the next generation of managers to handle the inherent uncertainties of any unique endeavor. This conversation shifts the focus from merely reacting to crises to actively structuring projects in a way that prevents problems from escalating. Readers will walk away considering how to build proactivity into their own operations, ensuring that the next unexpected challenge becomes an anticipated risk.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

The host sets the scene with the "corona crisis" and earthquake, events that forced immediate changes. Marko Šimac then defines the common business response as "firefighting," a reactive stance. True project management, he argues, is the opposite: it's about predicting risks and implementing mechanisms *before* they escalate, rather than putting out fires after they've started.

Marko states: "A project is unique. It happens only once. Many things we don't know. A lot of problems and disputes in projects arise precisely because the project scope is not known at the moment we sit down at the table." The core challenge in any project isn't merely execution; it's the inherent uncertainty of a unique endeavor. The art of project management lies in defining and navigating the unknown, rather than assuming a clear path from the outset.

Marko explains that while project management was once reserved for heavy industry and engineering, it is "everywhere today" – from healthcare and media to family farms and EU-funded initiatives. The discipline of managing unique, time-bound efforts has become universal. The principles once applied to building bridges now apply equally to any endeavor that has a distinct start, middle, and end.

Marko highlights that project management education "really puts the emphasis on communication," advocating for "a systematic, well-prepared, sustainable communication line" and a robust plan. In projects inherently defined by a lack of complete information, the most powerful tool isn't technical skill alone, but rather the discipline of clear, continuous, and structured communication. It’s the constant exchange that clarifies the fog.

Marko outlines the "triple helix" concept, emphasizing the necessary collaboration and synergy between the educational system, government (or local self-government), and entrepreneurs. No single sector can drive societal or economic progress in isolation. Meaningful change requires a deliberate, coordinated effort where distinct groups actively work together to create momentum.

Discussing whether project managers are "born or made," Marko emphasizes the need for them to possess "an arsenal" of knowledge, skills, and competencies, ready to react promptly. While some innate traits may contribute, the effectiveness of a project manager is ultimately forged through a cultivated set of learned skills and experience. It's about preparedness, not just natural talent.

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