Salient Facts about British Airport Authority and Terminal 5 - Assignment Example

Salient Facts about BAA and Terminal 5: British Airport ity undertook the task of expanding its overall structure and adding more advanced and more accommodating outlook to its already existing setup and network. As a result of this, the BAA undertook the expansion of the Terminal 5 (Coogan, 2002, 18). Terminal five was a multibillion dollar project which was promised to and believed to deliver towards the modern day requirements and the satisfaction level of the clients. It was believed that this terminal will allow for multi hundred passengers accommodation and other added features which would nearly give the airport a totally new outlook. The 4.3 billion dollar project (Dodgson & Gann, 2010) went to ruins based on the grounds that failure to predict the overall massive expansion, failure to undertake the risks of the system failure and failure to predict and handle the strategic factors consideration, all these led to the failure in the larger way resulting in the financial losses as well as the credibility and brand name loss to the British Airways Authority. However when the time of its inauguration arrived, there was a total state of confusion, panic and disorder within which gave rise to the suspicion that something had gone wrong. Ranging from the information system to the basic route maps to the basic and elementary parking lots adjustment, all this was missing and people were left to their own guidance and mercy to find out the routes and information. The passengers luggage handling and the cargo fleet services were the worst to say the least. How was the Information System Structured: The Information system so incorporated consisted of a Resource Management System that was aimed at working as a centralized database, support and navigation system machine. However it failed to provide the desired results and it suffered from number of short comings in terms of the real time operations and the integration of the different components of the terminal and airport activities(Pryke, 2009, 127). Did BAA have an information system in place and was it effective? Information systems have become the de facto standards towards development of a more modernized network of operations and system functions .The British Airport Authority that had planned to develop Terminal 5, also had made efforts for the establishment of information system. This information system was established in the form of Resource Management System( R.M.S). the purpose was for keeping the people’s entry intact and other online information resources and repository that would help the customers finding the related information in a timely manner. Unfortunately the Information system was as flawed as the entire project itself. It suffered from unclear instructions and a synchronized operations. It failed to provide the travelers with the necessary information and they found themselves totally lost in the airport and also away from the original status of flight timings. Unfortunately the overall plan did not go as per plan and there were number of shortcomings and discrepancies’ noticed and as soon as it was launched for the commercial purposes, the customers and the passengers started feeling the heat and it turned into a nightmare. What was to be used for as a symbol of advancement and quality, turned into a global embarrassment for the nation. There were glitches on account of the planning, the technical aspects fulfillment and most importantly the information system failure was one major event and element which totally crippled the overall domain and working of the airport and terminal and left the terminal as a virtual dead point that gave no idea of what to do and where to go to the passengers (Young, 2011)). As many as 68 flights were being diverted, delayed or made to suffer in a direct or indirect manner and all this came about in the consequence to the adventure undertaken. How might the effective use of an Information System have helped BAA to avoid the terminal 5 disaster? The possible prevention of the Information failure could have led to the passengers being informed in time, passengers being kept intact and given the instructions in a timely manner. since the people had no means of information to them, they in turn started roaming around and searching for traces and help from different manual and unknown means. All this could have been avoided provided the information system had worked properly and had not left the passengers to the manual means of determining their timings and other information necessary on the day of travelling and flight (Calder & Watkins 2008). Performing pilot tests and possibly using a more state of the art oriented techniques with the backup system could have helped avoiding the disaster which the BAA underwent in the form of launch of Terminal 5. Why are information systems so essential for running and managing an organisations today? The modern times are driven by the state of the art technology. This state of the art technology comes in the form of digital devices and overall digital arena (Kenneth, 2010). As a result each of the function and activity in the business world and multinational environment is subject to the availability of the incumbent devices, applications and other components of the digital equipment. Organizations have adopted the usage of these devices, tools and techniques based on the fact that the overall technology has made life easier. This has led to faster transactions, easier interaction and more easier and timely response to the clients. The ultimate output and outcome is in the form of the clients’ satisfaction and maximum gains enactment from the overall business and venture undertaken (Chapman & Ward, 2004). No major multinational can imagine to survive in such a competitive environment of digital communications and digital media and information systems. As a result of this, the modern world is equipped with all the modern and necessary devices. Another aspect and necessary component due to which the digital and information systems are incorporated is the fact that the businesses have gone global. In the wake of the global activities, the sub branches, networks and outlets are spread across the borders and beyond the continents, as a result of such outer clustered activities and existence, the communication and contact means are possible to be enacted only through the digital devices and the digital devices are the sub component and function of the information systems, hence a totally dependent world upon the information systems and modern communication devices (Laudon & Laudon 2008). List and describe six reasons why information systems are so important for business today using the case study as your chosen example. In the modern times the information systems have become the backbone of the overall operations and the organizations smooth working. Without them they cannot imagine to exist. The following are few of the reasons based on which it can be assumed and stated that the information system is a core function of businesses. 1. Given the fact that world has become a global village and is under the constant shade and cloud of the digital devices, alienation in the form of the depravity or the lack of the digital devices thereof would mean total isolation and little or no interaction with the world. 2. Information systems in the modern times are not just the means of providing connection and resources; rather they are the solution providers. They enable establishing contacts, the ensure establishing the troubleshooting functions, they also ensure and enable that the systems are integrated with one another. Information systems as a whole make it possible to hold different components of the system together which would otherwise be loosely held without any integration and unity of operational activity within (Stylianou & Kumar). 3. Information systems have reduced the reliance on the manual methods. As a result of which the overall performances have become more effective more productive and more returning in terms of the revenues, the clients satisfaction and much more (Smith, W., 2006.). 4. Information systems have added transparency to the systems. They have made the life of the customers and the employees easier in the same proportion and same context. They have at the same time made it possible to undertake the tasks from distant places. 5. Information systems allow for keeping an officially documented records which can be later on used and retrieved in the time of need and other critical times. 6. Finally, information system is efficient for the purpose of connecting the different sub departments, branches of the main office or the connection establishment between the head of the organization and its employees, all this is possible through the connection and establishment of the information system. Identify an example of each of a strategic, tactical and operational decisions which might be/have been taken by BAA and how did the information system support these decisions. Explain why these decisions are respectively strategic, tactical and operational. The overall lapse and failure of the project that came about in the BAA expedition of expanding the Terminal 5 was a result of the lapses in the strategic, tactical, operational and functional short comings and short sightedness. Each of these if taken into account would have allowed for effective outcome extraction. Operational decisions: On the operational front, the short coming came about in the form of non availability and the non readiness of the routes, tracks and other within the airport functions and services that were necessary for the clients. For example, the detailed analysis of the BAA file and case shows that there was a total lack of the search facilities. As a result of which, many things went unchecked and the ordinary citizens suffered it by staying at the airports for multiple days. Automated Temperature controllers also stopped working on that day. It appeared as if there was no single element or unit that worked properly. Ranging from the power systems to the information systems to the centralized cooling systems, all of these were a complete failure and gave rise to an utter state of havoc and catastrophic outlook on that given day. Strategic decisions: Resource Management System( RMS) .The information system decisions related Resource Management System and its incorrect and non availability of the internet access and system down was one of the information system failure factors that amassed to the overall mega failure of the system. As a result of the system failure, the overall information about the flight timings, the flight schedules was kept away from the users. Even the ground power systems were a failure on that day. This called for severe scrutiny and looking into the overall issue based on the fact that the power system was the basic system of operation that was supposed to work properly on that day. The space allocated for the different parts of the airport activity can also be possibly termed as the failure in terms of the strategic decisions. The baggage handling system came into scrutiny based on the same grounds with extremely suffocated space in the surroundings leading to congestion all over. Baggage Handler Allocator were a complete failure which had an impact not only on the departing flights but also on the arriving flights, the overall result was a double way delay and an utter state of dismay and frustration amongst the passengers. Apart from the technical shortcomings such as the Resource Management System and other components, the Staff Accommodation Areas and Staff Access Routes did not fulfill the needs of the employees and they were constructed in a haphazard manner without the regard of the overall needs of the number of employees, workers and their accommodation. As a result, not only the passengers but also the staff members were discomforted by the overall new Terminal introduction. Each of these decisions had an impact upon the other and were of the technical nature since they incorporated decision making, installation of the system and failure of the system with regard to the maintenance function. The result of each of these decisions with subject to failure and in affectivity showed up in the form of the passengers utter disturbance and the delay of over 68 flights. The functional decision consideration entails nearly the same functions and components that were established and investigated in the operational failure part. Identify examples of information systems likely to be needed to take each of the decisions identified in task 2. For strategic and tactical decisions you should be able to find referenced examples. For an operational decision it will be possible for you to make reasoned speculations based on your understanding of the business processes undertaken in your business. In the case of the information system network and overcoming the possible failure ,the Resource Management System should had been tried and tested before incorporating it into the network. It should had been tested for the small amount of travelling burden to medium and then the large scale. The state of the art technologies and engineering experts groups should had been integrated into the functioning. The companies with the most reliable brand and service name in the industry should have been consulted and asked for their services in order to save the face and avoid any similar state of embarrassment faced in the overall debacle that appeared when the Terminal 5 was launched. Practical Example: Ohio Airport System that was incorporated for the purpose of advancements and improvement of the overall quality of service providing to the passengers serves as an example of effective and successful airport revamping project undertaken. The BAA in its pursuit of developing the Terminal 5 could have taken heeds and studied the Ohio airport system and possibly saved itself from any outcry such as one that came across in the form of failure. ODOT security and arrangement system has been incorporated in the same context for the purpose of arranging improved services to the customers. Source: Smith, 2006 Operational Decision: With regard to the operational flaws in the network, the following step of actions could have been taken: A pilot test could have been conducted with possible two to three hundred volunteers being summoned from the city in order to assess the overall workflow and the possible workload comparison between the two. The other operational decisions could have included the employees’ arrangement in terms of their tasks assignment. Clear roles and responsibilities assignments could have possibly saved the day. Thirdly an integrated system of communication should have been in place. This although is a strategic decision, yet has its impact on the decision making, operational and the overall functioning procedure of the system. Backup network and system facilities should have been incorporated as well. This would include the backup employees, backup system, backup support and the system configuration which would allow for possible prevention of the system from failure. References: Coogan, M. A., 2002. Strategies for Improving Public Transportation Access to Large Airports. s.l.:Transportation Research Board Calder, A., & Watkins, S., (2008), IT Governance: A Managers Guide to Date Security and ISO 27001 / ISO 27002: A Managers Guide to Data Security and ISO 27001/ISO 27002 Chapman C. & Ward S. (2004) Project Risk Management, second ed., John Wiley Dodgson, M. & Gann, D., 2010. Innovation: A Very Short Introduction. s.l.:Oxford University Press IS Effectiveness – available at www/business.clemson.edu/ISE IS Auditing via ISWORLD http://www.magal.com/iswn/teaching/isauditing/knowledge.cfm?SearchTypeID=1 Academic papers distributed in lecture sessions, and links and suggestions posted on X-stream site. Laudon, J., & Laudon, K. (2008) Essentials of Management Information Systems, Pearson Pryke, S., 2009. Construction Supply Chain Management. s.l.:John Wiley & Sons Kenneth, L., 2010. Management Information Systems: Managing The Digital Firm. s.l.:Pearson Education Stylianou, A., & Kumar, R. ‘An integrative framework for IS quality management’, Communication of the ACM, vol 43:9, September 2000, pp99-104 Smith, W., 2006. OHIO STATE AIRPORT SYSTEM PLAN, Ohio: Ohio Department of Transportation. Young, L., 2011. The Marketers Handbook: Reassessing Marketing Techniques for Modern Business. s.l.:John Wiley & Sons Read More