Guidance for Mentees
How to Structure Your Weekly Project Review Call
How to Prepare, Participate, and Maximise Your Learning
To get the very best value from your mentor, and from following a live, real-time project, your weekly session should be active, focused, and thoughtfully prepared. This simple structure will help you stay organised and confident each week.
1. Review & Prepare Before the Call (5–10 minutes)
Before each weekly session:
• Glance over your notes from the previous week
• Recap where the project was left (“What stage were we at last week?”)
• Identify any areas that were unclear
• Write down 3–5 questions you want to ask
• Check your connection, sound, and camera
A little preparation massively boosts how much you’ll take away.
2. Start With a Quick Summary (2 minutes)
Begin the call by briefly stating what you remember from the last session.
For example:
• “Last week we discussed the mobilisation stage…”
• “You were expecting weather delays…”
• “The next milestone was route approval…”
This shows engagement and helps your mentor understand your level of understanding.
3. Listen to the Weekly Recap (5 minutes)
Your mentor will outline:
• What happened this week
• Any progress made
• Milestones achieved
• Client updates or changes
Use this time to take simple notes—focus on outcomes, not every detail.
4. Explore the Challenges (10–15 minutes)
This is your biggest learning opportunity. When your mentor explains a challenge, ask:
• “What caused the issue?”
• “How did you narrow down the options?”
• “What alternatives did you consider?”
• “What was the biggest risk at that moment?”
• “What would have happened if the issue hadn’t been resolved in time?”
This is where you learn the thinking behind the decisions—not just the final outcome.
5. Ask About the Technical 'Why' (10 minutes)
When your mentor talks about equipment or methods, explore deeper:
• “Why did you choose SPMTs instead of a modular trailer?”
• “What determined the lifting method?”
• “How did compliance/regulations affect the plan?”
• “What engineering checks were required?”
This is your chance to build real technical knowledge.
6. Understand the Commercial Side (5 minutes)
Ask high-level questions such as:
• “What were the main cost drivers this week?”
• “Did the plan change affect the budget?”
• “How do client requests influence pricing?”
This helps you understand the financial logic behind project decisions.
7. Discuss the Week Ahead (3–5 minutes)
Understand what’s coming next:
• Planned movements or lifts
• Expected challenges
• Weather, port constraints, route issues
• Critical risks to monitor
This context helps you follow the narrative clearly from week to week.
8. Ask Open Questions (5 minutes)
Use the final part of the call for clarifications or deeper understanding:
• “What surprised you this week?”
• “What is the most important lesson for me to take away?”
• “What should I pay attention to next week?”
• “Is there anything I could research before our next call?”
This shows initiative and willingness to learn.
Extra Tips for Mentees
• Take notes clearly, use bullet points, not long paragraphs.
• Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything, that’s the whole point of the programme.
• Ask why, not just what.
• Be respectful of your mentor’s time, they are volunteering to help you grow.
• Stay curious, your questions shape the value you get from each session.
• Follow the story of the project as if you're part of the team.
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