The Tay Bridge Disaster: Ethics Lessons for Project Leaders (Webinar)

The Tay Bridge disaster is one of history’s most powerful lessons in what happens when ambition outruns ethics. 🌉 Join PMI Canadian West Coast Chapter for a virtual evening session exploring how a celebrated Victorian engineering achievement collapsed, and what today’s project professionals can learn from it.

🏗️ The Rise and Fall of the Tay Bridge

When it opened on 1 June 1878, the Tay Bridge was celebrated as the longest iron bridge in the world. It was a vital link in Scotland’s east coast railway and promised honours and prosperity to the people behind it.

For a short time, it delivered. The bridge brought business success and public acclaim to those involved in its construction and operation.

Then, on the night of 28 December 1879, during one of the most severe storms in living memory, the bridge collapsed. 🌪️ It took the Edinburgh train and 59 lives with it.

⚖️ Why This Event Matters

The public inquiry and later technical analysis revealed multiple failures in the bridge’s design and construction. Yet these failures were part of a larger story, in which an inspiring engineering feat was undermined by greed and inadequate leadership.

For project managers, engineers, and leaders, the Tay Bridge disaster raises questions that are still relevant:

• 🔍 What happens when schedule and cost pressure override quality and safety?
• 🧭 Where does accountability sit when many parties share responsibility?
• 🗣️ How do organizational culture and leadership shape ethical decisions?

💡 What You’ll Learn

This engineering ethics case study will help you:

• 📚 Understand the key design, construction, and oversight failures behind the collapse
• ⚠️ Recognize early warning signs of ethical risk on complex projects
• 🤝 Reflect on the leader’s role in upholding integrity under pressure
• ✅ Apply historical lessons to modern project governance and decision-making

👥 Who Should Attend

This session is designed for:

• Project managers and program managers
• Engineers and construction professionals
• Project controls, risk, and quality specialists
• Leaders and aspiring leaders interested in ethical leadership
• Anyone who enjoys engineering history and real-world case studies

No prior experience is needed. The session is suitable for all career stages.

📅 Event Details

• 🗓️ Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
• ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM PT
• ⏳ Duration: 1 hour
• 💻 Format: Virtual (online)
• 🎟️ Cost: Members : $0 , Future members : $15
• 🏅 PDUs: 1

🌍 Attend Online From Anywhere

This is a virtual event, so you can join from Vancouver, anywhere in British Columbia, across Canada, or internationally. You’ll receive joining instructions after registering. Please check the start time against your local time zone.

🎤 Meet the Speaker

Jim Benvie is The History PM.

A speaker and consultant using history as a vehicle to explore project and change management, assisting clients to develop their critical thinking and avoid cognitive biases

📝 Register for This Event

Explore the Tay Bridge disaster and its lasting lessons in ethics and leadership. Spaces are available online, so reserve yours today.

6. FAQ Section

What is this event about?
It’s a virtual presentation on the Tay Bridge disaster of 1879, examining the ethical, leadership, and technical failures behind the collapse and the lessons for modern project professionals.

Who should attend?
It’s intended for project managers, engineers, construction and project controls professionals, and anyone interested in ethical leadership or engineering history.

Do I need prior experience?
No. The session is accessible to all experience levels.

Is this event available online?
Yes. The event is fully virtual and can be joined from anywhere.

When does it take place?
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM PT