BAE Automated Systems (A) Analysis

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Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements (PMBOK Guide, 2008). Using this definition, it is made evident that the parties involved in the Denver International Airport (DIA) Baggage System project in the 1990’s failed at applying basic organizational practices towards managing the triple constraint of scope, time, and cost goals. The combination of inherent risks, uncertainties, and dysfunctional decision making geared the project towards disappointment while simultaneously designating it as a text book example of what not do when taking on a complex project. By looking at the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats we can pull together a basic plan of action that would have set the DIA’s baggage handling system as a marvel model of rapid automation. Challenged by an old, obsolete airport, the city of Denver decided on not only doing an expansion but ultimately building a fully dedicated facility in an entirely new location. Twice the size of Manhattan, the airport was to be the largest in the United States and was specially designed to handle concentrated hubbing traffic (Montealgre et al, 1996, p.4). The master plan encompassed a fast tracked build-design scheme that called for utmost operational efficiency which would consequently attract large airlines to choose DIA as their main Southwestern hub (Nice, n.d.). Dominance of the DIA would fuel an economic boom in Denver, but for this to take place—a fast passenger turnover would be required, leading to the perception that they had to implement an airport-wide automated baggage handling system in spite of the known risks. This critical piece of the airport wou... ... middle of paper ... .../us_news/ Browning, E. (2005, October 15). Exorcising Ghosts of Octobers Past - WSJ.com.Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Retrieved May 1, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119239926667758592.html?mod=mkts_main_news_hs_h Denver International Airport Construction and Operating Costs. (1997, July 5).University of Colorado Boulder. Retrieved April 28, 2011, from http://www.colorado.edu/libraries/govpubs/dia.htm Montealgre, Ramiro, H. J. Nelson, Carin I. Knoop, and Lynda M. Applegate. BAE Automated Systems (A): Denver International Airport Baggage Handling System. Rep. no. 9-396-311. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School, 1996. Print. Nice, K. (n.d.). HowStuffWorks "How Baggage Handling Works". Howstuffworks "Science". Retrieved May 1, 2011, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/baggage-handling.htm

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