The Manner in Which London Olympics, 2012 Was Successful - Case Study Example

Abstract The report examines the manner in which London Olympics, 2012 was successful by analyzing the different factors which led to the success of the project. It examines the different techniques, strategies and methodology which were adopted to deal with the different risk that the project faces. This is matched by the critical analysis of the project so that better implementation of the project becomes possible. This will be lastly followed by the learning and the different factors which have to be analyzed while looking to implement a project. The success of the London Olympics, 2012 clearly throws light on the manner in which the different theories and strategies helped the project to be implemented successfully. This was further matched by the fact that the use of different models helped to provide the framework through which the project was successfully implemented. This helped to provide important learning for the future and helped to identify and understand the manner in which working in the different dimension will ensure better use of projects. The successful implementation of the London Olympics, 2012 which used the different models and ensured better monitoring and allocation of resources is an aspect of project management which needs to be properly understood and should be used. This will thereby help to framework through which the project will be successfully implemented and will provide important directives based on which the success of projects will be determined in the future. Table of Contents Introduction 3 Project Stakeholder Analysis 3 Managing the Project 4 Critical Analysis of the Project 5 Conclusion 8 References 9 Introduction The last three decades has highlighted the manner in which project management has helped projects to be implemented successfully. Avots (2009) has clearly indicated that the use of project management techniques and strategies is more efficient as compared to the traditional methods of functional division which was used in hierarchical organizations. The use of project management techniques helps both the ongoing projects and new projects by providing the required stream through which the day to day operations are better managed and provide the required streamline through which maximum effectiveness is gained. In situations where organizations have a finite, unique and unfamiliar undertaking the use of project management techniques helps to bring the required transformation and ensures successful implementation of the project (Beck, 2003). The report looks to examine the manner in which London Olympics, 2012 was successful by analyzing the different factors which led to the success of the project. It examines the different techniques, strategies and methodology which were adopted to deal with the different risk that the project faces. This is matched by the critical analysis of the project so that better implementation of the project becomes possible. This will be lastly followed by the learning and the different factors which have to be analyzed while looking to implement a project. Project Stakeholder Analysis London 2012 proved to be one of the successful project which was implemented properly and looked after the different stakeholder and risk that the project faced. The project faced several issues and risk and was seen by the fact that within 24 hours since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to award the 2012 games to London, an attack on the London transport system by four suicide bombers highlighted the threats that the project faced. The hazards and uncertainties associated with the project are very high and increase the complexities for carrying out projects. The project looked at different stakeholders and based on their needs and requirements divided the entire projects into smaller blocks and segments so that all the different stakeholders were considered. Looking at the different stakeholder and designing the project in such a manner that each and every aspect of the stakeholder was analyzed helped in the successful implementation of the project and provided the required framework through which the different areas were looked at and the project was successfully implemented. Managing the Project The success of the project is largely determined by the final outcome that the project has been able to achieve. London Olympics 2012 was successful and achieved the desired objectives as the project management strategies and techniques which were used ensured maximum efficiency and ensured the best possible use of resources. Using the present organizational structure and resources along with the different tools and techniques helped the project to be successfully implemented. The success of the project was largely attributed to the fact that the work was properly defined, the extent of the work was properly allocated, the resources were properly allocated, planning and executing the work, monitoring the progress of the work and ensuring that steps were taken to deal with the deviations if that arose (Turner, 2003). The project further looked at ensuring that the project was delivered on time by developing the time model which looked to match the manner in which the project was carried out and highlighted the overall effectiveness in the project management strategies. Laying special stress and emphasis on areas which were risky helped to develop project management strategies which dealt with those risk. This provided the required framework through which the project was properly identified and helped to develop the required parameters through which risk were reduced. The use of breakdown structure which looked at dividing the entire work into smaller objectives and assigning each objective to the concerned person helped to execute the project on time and provided the framework through which the best possible use of resources became possible (Cooke-Davies, 2000). This was matched by the fact that continuous evaluation of the different parameters and areas through which better effectiveness can be gained in the project was implemented. The London Olympics 2012 further looked to deal with the different risk in the most effective manner. The allocation of different resources and passing on the required baton and authority provided the required framework through which the project looked at different needs and determined the model through which the project was implemented successfully. Looking and working on the different factors provided the framework through which the success of the project was determined. Critical Analysis of the Project The success of the implementation of the project i.e. London Olympics 2012 is attributed largely to the different factors which were managed properly. The use of different tools like work breakdown structure, client information sheet and project plan helped to developed the required framework which ensured that there was no under-costing, overspending and late delivery. This was matched by proper site information and being aware about the different consideration and constraints helped to determine the required framework which helped to find out the different critical aspect which will ensure that the project is completed successfully. The figure below depicts the manner in which a model of building blocks has been developed which looks at the complete project life cycle from the conceptual phase to the operational phase (Kerzner, 2000) Breaking down the entire project into smaller units so that the different factors were allocated which will help to determine the manner in which the project will be fully completed. Breaking the entire project into smaller units helped to build the required authority and responsibility relationship. This thereby ensured that the resources were allocated based on the needs of the project. This thereby helped to develop the required framework through which overall effectiveness was gained in the project. This was supported by the fact that a framework was developed which ensured that project management and operation management worked together and is shown below (O’Connor & Reinsborough, 2002) The integration of programme management with operation management ensured that the entire project was monitored in a better way. This helped to allocate the required resources based on the project requirements and helped to develop the framework through which the project was better integrated (Kaplan & Norton, 2006). This helped to understand and check the manner in which the resources were being used and thereby developed the required framework through which the project was able to use the different resources in the most effective manner. To achieve the management objective the project aimed at different groups and factors which were combined so that a framework can be developed through which the success or failure of the project management can be determined. This is shown in the diagram below (Pinto & Slevin, 2008) The success of London Olympics, 2012 was seen from the fact that dividing the entire project into different factors which were related to different aspect helped to concentrate on the different facets of the projects. This thereby helped to build the required dimensions through which a system process was developed. This process looked at linking different factors with one another and based on it helped to develop a framework through which the external environment was better controlled. This helped the London Olympics, 2012 to reduce the risk that the project was facing and thereby developed the required dimensions through which the project was successfully implemented. Using the different areas and dimensions through which the project was analyzed helped to highlight the manner in which the project was evaluated from different areas. This helped to bring a framework through which the overall project effectiveness was seen and the different factors which ensured that the project effectiveness will be gained were achieved. Working and using the different models and strategies which looked at reducing the deviations and developing the required framework helped to reduce the level of risk and determined the framework through which the project was successfully implemented. Conclusion The success of the London Olympics, 2012 clearly throws light on the manner in which the different theories and strategies helped the project to be implemented successfully. This was further matched by the fact that the use of different models helped to provide the framework through which the project was successfully implemented. This helped to provide important learning for the future and helped to identify and understand the manner in which working in the different dimension will ensure better use of projects. The successful implementation of the London Olympics, 2012 which used the different models and ensured better monitoring and allocation of resources is an aspect of project management which needs to be properly understood and should be used. This will thereby help to framework through which the project will be successfully implemented and will provide important directives based on which the success of projects will be determined in the future. References Avots, I. 2009. Why does project management fail? California Management Review, 12, 77-82 Beck, D. 2003. Implementing top management plans through project management. International Journal of Project Management, 16 (1), 21-26 Cooke-Davies, T. 2000. Towards improved project management practice, PhD thesis, Leeds Metropolitan University Kerzner H. 2000. Applied project management. Best practices on implementation. New York: John Wiley Kaplan, R. & Norton, P. 2006. The balanced scorecard. Translating strategy into action. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press O’Connor, M. & Reinsborough, L. 2002. Quality projects in the 1990s: a review of past projects and future trends. International Journal of Project Management, 10 (2), 107–14. Pinto, J. & Slevin D. 2008. Critical success factors across the project life cycle. Project Management Journal, 19 (3), 67–75 Turner, J. 2003. The handbook of project-based management. England: McGraw-Hill Read More