14 November 2025

Above: Anglo American’s Quellaveco project in Peru.

Industry Partner Spotlight

This story was provided by Fluor, a CIM Industry Partner, and appears in the November 2025 issue of CIM Magazine (view it in flip format here).

The soft side of success

How human factors shape successful mega-project execution

Anglo American’s Quellaveco project in Peru stands as a prime example of ambitious copper developments in recent recent years—an undertaking of immense scale, complexity and strategic importance. With Fluor as Anglo American’s EPCM partner, the project demanded rigorous planning, robust safety protocols and disciplined budget control to ensure billions in capital investment were well spent. These “hard factors” are the foundation of any large-scale execution and were firmly in place. However, beyond the technical precision and procedural excellence, Quellaveco’s success was also deeply rooted in the “soft factors.” Trust, inclusion, communication and shared purpose all played a pivotal role in shaping outcomes and building a culture of collaboration.

A culture of collaboration is built by removing subconscious barriers to cooperation; eliminating the use of terms such as “owner/company” and “contractor” and instead using inclusive language like “us” and “we.” Also prioritizing personal discussions over emails can enhance problem-solving and prevent blame. Anglo American’s decision to engage Fluor’s project director in their senior-level project steering committee was a significant opportunity to share execution perspectives and to provide valuable insights into challenges with external agencies. This collaboration not only increased trust but also fostered a willingness to assist each other. The right talent matters more than availability when it comes to selecting the project team. Find the best people for the job—both internally and for suppliers, third-party service providers and construction contractors—and provide them with the leadership and support they need to succeed. The experience with the Quellaveco project demonstrated the effectiveness of this strategy, resulting in a team of solid performers who delivered exceptional results.

Fostering a sense of pride and ownership among team members was more than a goal—it was a guiding principle. From the outset, leadership prioritized making the project a place where people felt valued and motivated to contribute. Regular communication events kept everyone informed of progress, challenges and opportunities for improvement, while recognition and incentives were paired with transparent feedback to encourage continuous growth. These efforts paid off: team members consistently met deadlines, often going above and beyond, and they took pride in being part of Quellaveco.

One of the most important factors in project success is clarity around goals. Too often, teams hear that a project is “schedule-driven, cost-sensitive, with safety and quality as givens”—a phrase that can feel like an attempt to prioritize everything at once. At Quellaveco, the schedule was paramount, and the client, Anglo American, demonstrated commitment by allocating resources accordingly. Safety and quality remained essential, but they were embedded in the team’s standard operating procedures rather than treated as competing priorities.

This clarity helped align efforts across the board. Even when unforeseen challenges disrupted timelines, the team understood the original goals and the rationale behind key decisions. Anglo American’s willingness to invest in contingency planning and spend where needed reinforced a culture of trust and focus, which helped the project stay resilient under pressure.

Successful collaboration depends on transparency, mutual respect and early engagement. While clients often engage partners, like Fluor, for their deep expertise and experience in complex project delivery, it’s equally important to recognize the value of the client’s operational insight. The Fluor team made it a priority to involve Anglo American from the outset, ensuring its voice was heard and its goals clearly understood. Transparency is a cornerstone of Fluor’s approach. At Quellaveco, the team shared challenges openly with the client, Anglo American, whether they involved personnel, cost forecasts or schedule risks. This openness extended to constructive feedback, even when it meant addressing issues caused by either side. The result was a strong foundation of mutual trust.

This approach extended to contractors and suppliers, too. While progress and performance were priorities, it was recognized that resolving issues collaboratively—sometimes even travelling to meet face to face—was key to turning around underperforming partners. One such turnaround led to the early completion of a critical milestone.

While foundational elements like scope definition, budget clarity and change management are essential to any project, they’re not the whole story. What truly elevates a project is the attention paid to trust, communication, inclusion and shared purpose. Focusing on these human-centred practices made all the difference. That’s the real lesson—and one worth carrying forward.