Meet Steve McGrath
50 Years of Experience; System used in delivering $50 Billion worth of Projects, over 25+ years.
I am a Civil Engineer with over five decades of experience in Australian infrastructure. From roads and rail to aviation and marine projects, I’ve spent my career planning and delivering systems that keep our country moving.
The ‘OnQ’ Legacy: Back in 1999, I authored the ‘OnQ’ project management framework for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Over the last 25+ years, that framework has been the backbone for delivering an estimated $50 billion in transport infrastructure delivery, IT and other projects across the state.
From Engineering to Governance: My passion for how systems work led me to complete a master’s degree in Systems Engineering (1977) and, more recently, a PhD in Governance (2019). I’ve published 11 international papers on project management and governance, focusing on removing misunderstanding and confusion.
Cutting Through the Noise: In 2022, I published Speaking Management: How to spot language traps and resolve contested management terms. It’s a guide for anyone who wants to see through corporate management jargon, dissolve conflict and get to truth. When I wrote it, I had no idea of it having any political impact. I was then unaware of the (predominantly unethical) market value of confusion in selling product, services and ideology.
My Research: To December 2025, my work has reached over 150,000 readers worldwide and has been cited in 700 peer reviewed papers.