Name
Lessons from ITER: What Could Have Been Done Differently?
Date & Time
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 3:40 PM - 4:10 PM
Speakers
Description
A candid, structural look at the challenges facing large-scale scientific projects, drawing on first-hand insights from ITER. This session examines the root causes of ITER’s delays and cost overruns, focusing on supply-chain complexity, procurement strategy, and programme management
- Why major infrastructure and science projects so often fail to deliver on time and within budget, and the lessons for emerging fusion companies.
- A case study of the EU’s €7bn supply-chain involvement: how fragmented contracts, integration challenges, and procurement choices contributed to delays.
- How fundamental project-management practices (“the elementary stuff” - FOAK basics, coordination, interfaces) were where issues emerged.
- What the private-sector fusion can learn from ITER’s experience to avoid encountering the same structural and operational challenges.
An interactive presentation with: