It’s something we can all do. Heathrow Terminal 5 (T5) serves 10.5 million passengers a year and was one of the biggest construction projects in the UK.
The project had 60,000 people working on it with a budget of US$5.4Bn.
Like many big Tech Projects, big constructions projects often fail.
But it was delivered on time ⌚and on budget.💵
So how did T5 do it?
They had 3 key strategies:
1) Iterative Planning 🗓️
T5 was planned using highly detailed digital representations that were used to run rigorous simulations. T5’s creation and daily operation was simulated, tested, proven virtually so all the kinks and issues could be ironed out before build started.
2) Modularized Build 🛠️
Instead of sending building materials to site to be measured, cut, shaped, and welded into buildings (the conventional way since the pyramids), instead materials were sent to factories, which used the detailed, precise digital plans and specs to manufacture components. Then the components were sent to the site to be assembled. T5 wasn’t a construction site. It was an assembly site.
3) Unifying Vision 🔎
Projects are successful when we feel united, empowered, and mutually committed to accomplishing something worthwhile. We work as a team.
The T5 site was covered in posters comparing T5 to other great projects including the Eiffel Tower, Thames Barrier, Empire State Building with the statement “We’re making history too!”
Everyone felt equally part of what they were building and making history.
The 3rd point really resonates with me. Knowing that big, multi billion dollar projects like T5 can be delivered on time and on budget inspires me to deliver great projects. That’s our unifying vision.
What’s yours?
Fun fact: Heathrow airport has no Terminal 1. It was demolished in 2015 to make way for a bigger Terminal 2.
