Four characteristics of successful cultural buildings projects

The University of Chicago’s Cultural Policy Center, in partnership with the Harris School of Public Policy and the research organization NORC recently undertook a study of building projects including museums, performing arts centers (PACs), and theaters.

One of their most amazing findings: "Eighty percent of the projects we studied ran over budget, some by as much as 200 percent." Watch this video for a bit more background on the study:



Helpfully for those undertaking this sort of large scale building project, the team generated a list of four characteristics that were associated with successful cultural buildings projects (emphasis ours):

1. The project’s motivation, driven by both the organization’s artistic mission and by organizational need, was the primary purpose for building.

2. Project leadership that was clear and consistent throughout the planning and building process improved the chance of positive outcomes.

3. Efficient project timelines and the effectiveness of the project leadership helped determine a project’s success in implementation.

4. Project outcomes were influenced by how flexible the organization was in generating revenue post-project completion, and how effective the project leaders were at controlling expenses.

View the study's "Quick Overview" document for a great feasibility matrix showing the relationship of these characteristics. These characteristics mirror many of the suggestions we see time and again at PW&WCBA: for example effective leadership, clear communication, the ability to change course in response to changing needs. What other takeaways can project leaders use from this study?

Visit the Set In Stone website to learn more.

Michelle LeBlanc is a Social Media Strategist at IIR USA and the voice behind the @Project_World twitter. She may be reached at mleblanc@iirusa.com

One World Trade Center: Managing the World's Largest, Emotionally Charged Complex Project Build

With One World Trade Center recently surpassing the Empire State Building at New York's tallest structure and President Obama now scheduled to visit the construction site this week our thoughts here at the offices of ProjectWorld and The World Congress for Business Analysts in New York are turning to our upcoming keynote by Jim Durkin, SVP, WTC Transportation Hub, Tishman Construction Corp.

View of 1 WTC construction from the author's apartment

Durkin will be presenting "World Trade Center: Managing the World's Largest, Emotionally Charged Complex Project Build" this September at PW&WCBA For the thousands involved with the $18 billion redevelopment of the 16-acre WTC site, the common thread is patriotism, indomitable spirit and a collective will to succeed. Durkin will report on the complex overlapping infrastructure at the WTC and how it calls for mass collaboration and coordination.

According to the August 2011 issue of Engineering News-Record, "depending on who is counting, there are at least seven major projects currently under way, each with its own team and schedule but not its own site, at least not below grade. All the projects overlap in a four-level basement. Consequently, the work is also loaded with challenges"

Durkin was quoted as saying “It's all coordination—coordinating with PATH, the memorial, the streets, towers 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the vehicle security center.”

Beyond coordinating with the many entities involved with the project, there have also been various changes to the design over the course of construction.

This piece in the New York Times addressed one of the project's challenges: "As design moved to the testing phase, it became clear that the prismatic glass simply had too many technical problems to overcome and at a budget that was not cost effective,” said John Kelly, a spokesman for the Port Authority. “We have been finalizing a design that will be far more practical while being both distinctive and magnificent."

Despite challenges faced (and what project of this scale doesn't face challenges?), the project continues on and the structure is rising an average of 9.5 feet a week. Completion of the tower is anticipated in 2013. Join us for Durkin's session at ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts for some actionable insights from the process.

As a reader of our blog we'd like to offer you an exclusive 15% discount off the standard registration rate with code PW12BLOG. For more information on the ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts and to register, visit our webpage.

Michelle LeBlanc is a Social Media Strategist at IIR USA and the voice behind the @Project_World twitter. She may be reached at mleblanc@iirusa.com

Speaker Spotlight: Connie Steward, SVP Human Resources, Learning Systems and Organizational Development, Habitat for Humanity International

Recently, we looked at ProjectWorld® & World Congress for Business Analysts® keynote Don Mann of SEAL Team Six, but ProjectWorld® speakers come from many varied industries and all areas of the spectrum. Connie Steward, SVP Human Resources, Learning Systems and Organizational Development, Habitat for Humanity International faces an very different set of challenges in her day to day life, and yet the project management and business analysis insights you can take away from each of their stories have some similarities.

For example, Steward has embraced technology-enabled learning strong online distribution of tools and resources to keep her team up to speed regardless of their physical location. For a peek at the insights she has to share at ProjectWorld®, check out this feature in the Winter 2011 issue of Training Industry Quarterly.

Then, join us for "Overcoming Barriers: Finding Shared Purpose in Complex Projects" with Connie Steward & Lysa Ratliff, Senior Director Cause Marketing and Partner Communications, Habitat for Humanity International at ProjectWorld® & World Congress for Business Analysts® this September.

This hands-on session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Habitat manages complex, multi-national events and projects. Examples show how leadership practices and project management processes can be combined to navigate in an international community project with thousands of tasks. Learn how leadership skills develop organically in experiential settings, outside the confines of a traditional hierarchy, and how creative leadership thrives in the planning, logistics and execution of wide-scale, hands-on projects.

As a reader of our blog we'd like to offer you an exclusive 15% discount off the standard registration rate with code PW12BLOG. For more information on the ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts and to register, visit our webpage.