Theory in Practice
Theory Principles that explain why. Practice Repeated action.
Theory in Practice

Applying proven models to real-world situations.

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Academy

Each program connects proven management frameworks to the operational reality of your team. The goal is judgment to act differently on "Monday".

The mechanics of execution.

  • Product Management What should we build, and why? How do we decide what comes next — before we spend time building the wrong thing?
  • Project Management How do we go from a mandate to a finished outcome — on time, within budget, and to the standard we promised?
  • Projects for Non-PMs I'm not a project manager, but I'm running a project. What do I actually need to know to keep this on track?
  • Earned Value Management Are we ahead or behind right now — and how do we know before it's too late to change anything?

The people side of execution.

  • Design Thinking Are we solving the right problem — or just the most obvious one? How do we define the challenge before we design the solution?
  • Change Management We know what needs to change. Why isn't it changing? What does it take to move an organisation from where it is to where it needs to be?
  • Effective Meetings Why do our meetings cost so much and produce so little? How do we run the room so that decisions actually get made?
  • Building High-Performing Teams We have capable people. Why aren't they performing as a unit? What does it take to build a team that delivers consistently?

Predicting events and taking action.

  • Risk Management What could go wrong — and how do we decide what to do about it before it happens? How do we distinguish a real risk from noise?
  • PMO Design How do we build the governance architecture that keeps every project across the organisation on track and accountable?
  • The Sponsor's Edge I'm sponsoring this initiative. What is my actual job — and what does it take to guide the team across the finish line?
  • Agile for Executives My team is running Agile. What do I need to understand to lead it effectively — without getting in the way of the work?
12Years
1,500+Participants
4 / 4Consistent rating

"I walked out with a framework I could use the next morning. The concepts finally connected to the work I was actually doing."

Project Controller, 2025

"Our team left with a shared language for tracking performance. For the first time, everyone understood what the numbers meant and what to do about them."

Program Manager, 2023

"It changed how we plan. We stopped guessing and started forecasting. The difference in our project outcomes has been measurable."

Director, Project Controls, 2019
Consulting

We begin with a question — and follow a disciplined four-step process from diagnosis to decision. The process is iterative: after Debrief, clients return to Discover with a sharper question.

01 · Discover
Why

What is the real problem or opportunity?

We establish a fact-based definition before any solution is proposed.

Output
A written definition that all stakeholders agree on.
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02 · Design
How

What does the right solution look like?

We apply Design Thinking to find the best path forward for your specific context.

Output
A solution design tailored to your situation.
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03 · Deliver
What

How do we execute with precision?

We implement alongside your team, building systems and measuring results against the objectives defined in Discover.

Output
Measurable results.
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04 · Debrief
What next

What did we learn?

We compare results to intent, surface lessons, and transfer knowledge.

Output
A decision: exit with confidence, or return to Discover.
↩ returns to Discover
In practice · Global engineering firm · Project Controls
Discover

The stated problem was a skills gap. The real problem was behavioural. Teams had the tools but lacked a shared model for why planning discipline matters.

Design

The solution had to address the why before the how. A single governing principle shaped everything: a weak Work Breakdown Structure makes forecasting impossible. That theory determined the workshop design.

Deliver

Three sessions across North American time zones. Teams applied the principle to their own projects, their own WBS gaps, their own forecasting challenges.

Debrief

The client returned to Discover twice, each time with a sharper question. First: how do we build trust between Project Controllers and Project Managers? Then: how do we make the value of Project Controls visible to the people it serves?

93.3% of participants said they would recommend this program.
About
Photo
Roti Akinsanmi Founder & Principal
LinkedIn →
Education
  • Cornell / Queen'sExecutive MBA
  • Harvard Business SchoolCertificate of Management Excellence
  • MIT SloanAI & Business Strategy
  • University of LagosBSc Computer Science
Experience
  • Major Canadian AirlineHead, Digital Innovation Lab · 2019–21
  • Leading Streaming PlatformVP of Products · 2021–24
  • First Transfer Inc.Founder · Regulated FinTech · 2016–20
  • Mount Royal UniversityInstructor · Since 2014
★
2026 · Faculty Excellence Awards · Mount Royal University Teaching Excellence in Lifelong Learning Award
Strategic Partners
Mount Royal University Academy

Since 1990, Mount Royal University's Faculty of Continuing Education has partnered with organisations to build capability and respond to change. Every Academy program is co-delivered through this partnership. Participants receive co-branded certificates from a leading Canadian university.

MRU Custom Training →
Organisations served
AEB ↗ Calgary Food Bank ↗ NALMA ↗ Alberta Landmen ↗

"[Quote from Strategic Partnerships lead — to be added]"

Strategic Partnerships, Mount Royal University
Tarka Consulting Consulting

Tarka Consulting brings Theory in Practice methodology to enterprise clients across North America. Together, we deploy the same frameworks inside some of the continent's most operationally complex organisations.

tarka-consulting.com →
Canada
  • Petrochemical plant, AB
  • Industrial group, ON
  • Research university, AB
  • Regional college, AB
United States
  • Transit authority, WA
  • Medical device manufacturer, MN
  • Cement plant, FL
  • Defence contractor, FL
  • GIS software company, CA

"[Quote from Emil Tarka — to be added]"

Emil Tarka, Principal · Tarka Consulting

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