preparing a presentation - local gov't project management gone right/wrong?

Tacitus · 26 Jul 2015 at 18:02

Hey guys,

So for next week I'm writing a presentation for a job interview on issues facing local government and the impact of good leadership on these issues. I've decided a good way into the topic is through case studies, where I'll contrast what went right in one project with what went wrong with another.

My disaster project is the Edinburgh trams - a £770m vanity project that ended up taking twice as long to build, covering half the distance it was originally meant to, and costing twice as much as anticipated.

I'm now trying to figure out a high-profile project undertaken by a local council or authority that just went well and served a good purpose from recent years. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, any other tips/ideas would be appreciated!

Cheers

Greebo · 26 Jul 2015 at 19:10

Lol good look on finding when that went well and within budget!

Does such a thing exist even?

muon · 26 Jul 2015 at 19:24

The problem is you can always pick holes in any project. Especially when there isn't a quantifiable "profit" measure for public investments.

London Olympics maybe? It was on time, ran smoothly and the economic benefit was supposedly greater than the cost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23370270

ColdAsIce · 26 Jul 2015 at 19:32

I immediately though of this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13935943

{SAS}TB · 26 Jul 2015 at 19:41

The Olympics is a good example and the main driver for all Public Sector projects going to NEC form of contract by 2016

You may also want to look at some ProCure21 / 21+ projects (healthcare sector) where (again using the NEC form of contract) savings / benefits are being made through a number of avenues

http://www.procure21plus.nhs.uk/initiatives/

manic111 · 26 Jul 2015 at 19:41

Possibly something in Birmingham? They've done an incredible job of rebuilding and remarketing the city over the last ten years or so. Maybe the NIA?

thenewoc · 26 Jul 2015 at 20:01

This one's a blighter..

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/18/nhs-records-system-10bn

I declined an offer to work on the above since I knew it suffered from what I think are the main issues these projects suffer from;

Lack of leadership and technical knowledge with management
Too much emphasis on paying as little as possible for personnel. Little regard for cheaper doesn't equal speed and competence to complete the tasks.
Too many stake holders wanting different solutions and requiring strong leadership to steer the direction of the project without excessive scope creep.