While searching for projects to research on for one of the subjects I am studying, I came across this Portmann/Highway-1 improvement project. I must say that it amazed me the way Hatch & Mott Macdonald handled the project with such critical technicalities. Let me remind you here that it is declared as 2nd longest link in western hemisphere and to upgrade it while keeping in mind the smallest of the required details was not an easy task to do.
Furthermore, they hired 12 different designing firms which show their keen interest in detailing but well! It took them 3 years to finally come up with the finalized design to start working on. However, it was not the only thing that was impressive enough! Handling, monitoring, controlling & communicating with more than 250 members of the H5M team takes exemplary leaderships skills.
As it is said frequently, “Nothing is perfect” so was the project. It suffered several setbacks, disputes and tests from environmental authorities, 300 detour plans, diverse soil conditions and obviously, densely employed foyers. Yet, the H5M team continued with highly belligerent approach towards the successful implementation of the project.
This was the attitude of the executive team members that facilitated them to execute commendable project management skills, like collocation of team, unambiguous communication, unified and clear approach towards the scope of the project, also the negotiations for the procurement/contracts, risk management, excellent & smart use of management software, conflict resolution, team building and relationship management.
Moreover, project management team executed continuous negotiations proving the point of PMBOK that during the project 90% of the time communications/ negotiations are being held by the project manager. Excellent strategies for communication and negotiations led them to developing one of the best contracts designed in the history of the project management for which they were awarded, “Excellence in Design and Contract Preparation, in the class of Roads” later in 2014.
Additionally, the team was fully focused and clear about the strategies, paths and plans because of the common vision set by the project manager which assisted them in team commitment and high motivation resulting in lesser conflicts. Also, self monitoring for extensive quality control measures was actively pursued by one of the firms hired to ensure updates regarding quality and progress.
In addition, these startling efforts of the project management team resulted in transformative project as it was initially anticipated. This resulted in being the safest, solid and multi-corridor transit service for 2.2 million people of Vancouver.
Hence, these exemplary efforts of the team set by the Hatch & Mott Macdonald set an excellent example for the practitioners of the project management giving them not only the motivation but also the path which they need to follow for achieving ultimate success in the end.