“I use Half Double every single day”

Interview marking 10 Years of Half Double

Arnstein Schei, CFO and founder of the consultancy House of Agile, has played a key role in introducing Half Double to Norway. As an experienced project leader and Master-certified in the methodology, he works daily to help organisations achieve early, value-creating results in their projects. Here, he shares his perspectives on the methodology’s strengths, its practical application, and the development of Half Double in a Norwegian context.

Arnstein Schei Founder of House of Agile

1. You were involved early in the Half Double journey – what do you remember most from that time?

My Half Double journey started in 2018 with the first Half Double project in Norway. My first reflections were the power of the visual approach, the effect of having all project documentation visible on the wall, and how easy it was to communicate around it.

2. What about working with a new project model felt attractive and exciting to you?

New ways of working are always exciting, but for me as a visual person, it was especially the clear focus on visualisation that appealed the most.

3. What have you taken with you from Half Double that you still use today?

I use Half Double every single day. Most recently, we have translated the entire methodology into Norwegian, including the exam, textbook, and course material—so this marks a new chapter for Half Double in Norway.

4. Can you recall a moment when you thought: “This actually works”?

In my first Half Double project, the task was to solve an “unsolvable” problem. It was solved by bringing smart people together in the same place, at the same time, working closely together. One day, as we visualised hypotheses and solutions using our “LEGO,” the room went quiet. The engineers looked at each other, and one said, “It can work.” And it did. A very clear memory that is still vivid today.

Half Double is very good at focusing on what truly matters—both identifying what is important and maintaining that focus throughout the project.

5. What do you think Half Double has done differently – and better – than other methods?

Half Double is very good at focusing on what truly matters—both identifying what is important and maintaining that focus throughout the project. Other methods tend to focus too much on activities and deliverables rather than co-creating impact. It’s also hard not to mention the focus on behavioural change. Bringing the necessary behavioural change into the project from the very beginning shapes how the project is planned and executed—and helps ensure that the change actually happens.

6. If you could wish anything for the future of Half Double – what would it be?

Half Double is used by experienced practitioners. All these experienced project managers have tools, tips, and tricks that could be shared, but we lack a platform for sharing and exchanging experiences. So I would like to see a Half Double arena where we can exchange tools and techniques.

More interviews in this series

"The Active Owner makes a huge difference"

Mikael Bonde, Senior Project Portfolio Manager at Novo Nordisk, played a central role as co-creator of the Impact Solution Design and the portfolio track in Half Double. He has worked with the methodology at both PFA and VELUX – and hopes that a stronger focus on the portfolio will become part of Half Double's future.

Per Svejvig, Associate Professor at Aarhus University_Photo by Jens Hartman Schmidt from AU

"I Know of No Other Method with This Level of Evidence"

Associate Professor Per Svejvig has been involved in shaping Half Double from the beginning – both as a researcher and an active co-creator. Here, he shares his reflections on the methodology's origins, its particular strength in creating real momentum in complex projects, and how it can be used to execute on today's major agendas such as sustainability and digitalisation.

"Projects are complex, human systems"

As a young consultant at Implement, Karoline Thorp Adland took on the role of project coordinator and communications lead in the original Half Double team. In this interview, she reflects on shaping a shared language, the early momentum, and why the method still makes sense today.

"We live in a time where common sense is in short supply."

Flemming Hedegaard, Innovation Director at Grundfos, was part of the very first Half Double workshops. In this interview, he reflects on the energy of the early days, the value of common sense in project management, and the tools he still uses today - ten years later.

‘Focusing on impact and value rather than deliverables was and is ground-breaking.’

Christian Ehlers Mikkelsen, Senior Partner at Implement Consulting Group, has been involved since the first steps towards what is now Half Double. Here, he shares his experiences and reflections on the strengths, development and potential of the method in the digital age.

“The closest thing to a complete project methodology"

As Project Director at Sweco Denmark (formerly Grontmij), Steffen Moe joined the very first Half Double sessions. In this interview, he reflects on the early momentum, the power of peer sparring, and why he sees Half Double as the closest thing to a complete project methodology.