(Thames Tunnel)
Projects, as learnt from multiple sources, are one of the primary ways by which we change our world. Whether the aim is to separate an atom or tunnel under the English Channel or introduce new software or make plans for the next Olympic games in Brazil, the only means to achieve all these activities remains relatively the same: via project management (Anon, 2016).
Project management has been in existence for many years. Many people tend to think that it is a new venture for development. Project management was and still is involved in planning, coordination, monitoring and construction of some of the world’s most iconic structures. Over the past 250 years in London, the discipline of project management has relatively remained the similar regardless of the technologies and capacities of each century. The main concept that has not changed over the time include management of resources, schedule maintenance, and the coordination of activities (Financial Times, 2016).
Ancient projects like the construction of the great pyramids of Egypt have for years been a focus of study. Archeologist and historians alike argue that for such constructions to have been successful there must have been the element of project management. From the kind of architectural structure observed in the pyramids, it is safe to say that there was to a great extent part of planning, project execution and project control involved in the successful completion of the projects.
In the year 1917, Henry Gantt developed the Gantt chart. Henry Gantt is considered as the forefather of project management. The Gantt chart is a scheduling diagram. It was a radical innovation that has contributed immensely to the development of project management. The Chart has been used in the main constructions like the building of the Hoover Dam project. Gantt chart is still used in even in the modern day project management (Anon, 2016).
The year 1956 there was the formation of the American Association of Cost Engineers. This is a group of project managers. The association has lived to its promise to pioneer project management tools and strategies such project portfolio, project program and project management using their cost the Total Cost Management Framework.
Project management, especially in the construction industry, will continue to grow every day with the advent of new technologies. Installations have grown from excellent pieces of architectural marvel to spectacular engineering marvel to projects “impossible”. All these projects happening around the world are done under the supervision of project managers. Projects like the great palm islands of Dubai, or the Great Bridge of China to the gigantic Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver have all been managed through various project management skill and techniques. Looking at the technologies used currently there is a significant improvement from the methods of 250 years ago. Today planning uses complex matrices which all work to ensure safety and coordination of various activities in mega or small projects (JEMIELNIAK, & MARKS 2012, p 35).
The future of project management is one that will be marked with the state of the art scheduling mechanism, planner, efficient resource utilization systems and other. The projects in the future are expected to grow and become even more complex and increasingly difficult to manage. This will lead to the pushing of what is considered possible. It would result in improved project management skills and tools. Here are the next fifty years of project management (Brunel-museum.org.uk., 2016).
The Thames Tunnel was opened in the year 1843. It was termed as the Eighth wonder of the world. This was an amazing architectural development. The first tunnel under a river. The Thames Tunnel project was head by Brunel the only 19 years old (Ikbrunel.org.uk., 2016). Brunel was an engineer and project manager who was concerned not only the technical side of project management but was also greatly concerned about the economics of his projects (Engineering-timelines.com., 2016). The Thames tunnel project as it was being constructed Brunel thought about the technical challenges of the project and also considered the challenges economic disasters of the project (Frearson, 2015). The tunnel which connects Rotherhithe and Wapping only measures 35 feet wide by 20 feet high and 1,300 feet long. The Tunnel runs a depth of 75 feet underneath river surface. The project management technique used then was able to allow the workers to tunnel cells independently with ease (Frearson, 2015). During the period, Brunel faced major challenges as the project manager. He had to come up with great and creative solutions every time there was a hitch in the progress of the project (Mail Online, 2013).
London has seen great projects mainly the transport sector for the last several centuries (Building, 2000). The Thames project, for instance, was able to connect get cargo across the river without having to stop the tall-masted ships on the river. A rail was constructed inside the tunnels for easier movement of goods across the congested river (MailOnline, 2013).
Recently there has been an emergency of heritage project management which is concerned with conservation and restoration of old projects. The Thames tunnel was also a beneficiary of this form of project management. The Thames tunnel was restored and made accessible again after a century of neglect.
Projects like the Crossrail, which has been considered the biggest construction project in Europe brings about 10,000 workers working across 40 construction sites. Mega projects like this don’t just fall into action. Hours of work go into managing and planning of this projects. Project managers handle these tasks (Wwwf.imperial.ac.uk., 2016). When working on such mega-projects, it is always important to look back and consider what was done in the past. This helps avoid the mistakes or facing the same challenges that were faced in the past. It also helps design and plan for likely events and ensures backup plans for expected situations.
Some of the important lessons learnt from projects in London include planning for environmental challenges that can affect efficient delivery of projects. There is the need to ensure proper management of resources and the importance of having clear and precise schedules which include the allowance for contingencies (Wwwf.imperial.ac.uk., 2016).
Bibliographies
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Frearson, A. (2015). Brunel tunnel to become London's latest underground venue. [online] Dezeen. Available at: http://www.dezeen.com/2015/04/21/isambard-kingdom-brunel-first-project-tunnel-shaft-london-underground-venue-rotherhithe/ [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016].
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Mail Online. (2013). Grand entrance to world's first underwater tunnel to be restored. [online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529003/Brunels-Eighth-Wonder-World-restored-Grand-entrance-worlds-underwater-tunnel-return-glory-145-years.html [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016].
Wwwf.imperial.ac.uk. (2016). Enabling successful megaprojects | Imperial College Business School. [online] Available at: http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/research/research-celebration/enabling-successful-megaprojects/ [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016].
