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Managing Complexity: HDR’s Brian Buchanan on Delivering Major Transit Programs

HDR’s transit program management lead discusses the challenges of overseeing large capital projects, adapting to cost and supply chain pressures, and the capabilities agencies need to build for the future.

Alex Roman
Alex RomanExecutive Editor
Read Alex's Posts
May 15, 2026

In this episode of METROspectives, Brian Buchanan, transit program management lead at HDR, joins METRO’s Alex Roman to discuss how his role is helping agencies navigate the growing complexity of major capital programs. Drawing on his background, he explains how program management has evolved into a strategic function as projects grow larger, become more interconnected, and are subject to greater scrutiny.

Buchanan highlights the biggest challenges facing transit agencies today, including supply chain volatility, cost escalation, and workforce constraints, and shares how HDR is adapting its approach to help clients stay flexible and manage risk more proactively.

Topics include:

  • How Buchanan’s public experience informs his private sector position.
  • Issues facing large complex projects.
  • Working with key stakeholders to find success.
  • What the future of project management may hold.

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