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Ready for action: Operational readiness across industries
Overview
Operational readiness is critical for ensuring that systems, teams, and infrastructure are fully prepared before going live, but the approach can vary dramatically across industries. This cross-sector panel brings together experts from transport, energy, cybersecurity, and food/pharma to explore how each industry defines, plans, and delivers readiness. Join us as we examine the unique challenges and standards shaping readiness in each sector, from regulatory compliance in pharma to resilience in cybersecurity.
Our panellists will discuss key components like stakeholder engagement, risk management, training, and commissioning, and how these play out differently depending on the context. We’ll close with a comparative discussion, drawing out best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities to transfer insights across industries.
Whether you’re launching a new transit system, a power grid upgrade, or a secure digital platform, this session will help you think more strategically about what it means to be truly ready.
🌏 Engineers Australia Melbourne Office – Level 31, 600 Bourke Street , Melbourne Victoria, 3000
📅 5.00 pm — 7.00 pm AEST, Thursday 19 June 2025
🎫 Register for the event via Ready for action: Operational readiness across industries | Engineers Australia
💰 Pricing for this event is as follows:
- Member: Free
- Technical Society Member: $30.00
- Student Member: Free
- Non-Member: $30.00
- Guest Member: Free
- Guest Non Member: $30.00
Learning Outcomes
In this event, you will:
- understand the core principles of operational readiness and how they are applied across diverse industries such as transport, energy, cybersecurity, and food/pharma,
- identify key differences and similarities in readiness approaches, including regulatory requirements, risk mitigation, stakeholder engagement, and commissioning processes,
- gain insights into industry-specific challenges and how organizations overcome them to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant go-live transitions,
- explore transferable strategies and best practices that can be adapted across sectors to strengthen readiness planning and execution.
Program Outline
In-person:
- 5.00 pm AEST: Guest arrivals and registrations
- 5.15 pm AEST: Event begins
- 5.30 pm AEST: Panel discussion begins
- 6.15 pm AEST: Networking begins
- 7.00 pm AEST: Event concludes
About the speakers
Luke Robinson – Executive Director, International System Operator Network/AEMO
Luke Robinson is a chartered electrical engineer and MBA graduate with nearly 20 years’ experience in the energy industry. His experience encompasses transmission planning, power system analysis, system operations, generator connections and commissioning.
Luke joined AEMO in 2017 initially managing connections, and later moved to operations. In his current role as the inaugural Executive Director of the International System Operator Network, Luke facilitates collaboration across ISONs System Operators AEMO, CAISO, EirGrid, ERCOT, Energinet and NESO to support the transition to secure, reliable, resilient power systems with very high levels of variable, inverter-connected renewable generation across transmission and distribution networks.
Shani Davies – Program Manager, Metro Trains Melbourne
With over a decade of experience as a Chartered Electrical Engineer and a MBA , I bring a unique blend of technical depth and strategic insight to operational readiness. I’ve led cross-functional teams through complex project lifecycles—translating engineering and system requirements into practical, executable operational systems. My experience spans front-line delivery and corporate leadership across operations, maintenance, control systems, and systems engineering. This gives me a holistic understanding of what’s required to transition from project to steady-state operations—whether it’s workforce capability, asset readiness, system integration, or risk mitigation. I’ve developed and implemented readiness strategies that align people, processes, and systems, ensuring operational success from day one.
Chathura Abeydeera – Chair, CREST Australasia
Chathura is a trusted cybersecurity advisor with over 20 years of industry experience. With a strong track record of advising boards and executive teams, he brings a unique ability to translate complex technical risks into clear, actionable governance insights. Over the past decade, he has led high-performing cybersecurity teams within two of the Big Four consulting firms in Australia, delivering large-scale cybersecurity assessments, internal audits, and incident response programs for major Australian and global organisations. His expertise spans strategic advisory and hands-on leadership during high-impact cyber events. He is also recognised as a Fellow of the Australian Information Security Association (AISA) and has been awarded the title of Fellow by CREST. He is presently engaged in the pursuit of a doctoral degree in Cybersecurity and Space Intelligence.
Matt Flavel – Chief Scientist, The Product Makers
