Megaprojects: Lessons on Risk and Project Management from the Big Dig

by Virginia A Greiman

Project management lessons learned on the Big Dig, America's biggest megaproject, by a core member responsible for its daily operationsIn "Megaproject Management," a central member of the Big Dig team reveals the numerous risks, challenges, and accomplishments of the most complex urban infrastructure project in the history of the United States. Drawing on personal experience and interviews with project engineers, executive oversight commission officials, and core managers, the author, a former deputy counsel and risk manager for the Big Dig, develops new insights as she describes the realities of day-to-day management of the project from a project manager's perspective.The book incorporates both theory and practice and is therefore highly recommended to policymakers, academics, and project management practitioners. Focusing on lessons learned, this insightful coursebook presents the Big Dig as a massive case study in the management of risk, cost, and schedule, particularly the interrelation of technical, legal, political, and social factors. It provides an analysis of the difficulties in managing megaprojects during each phase and over the life span of the project, while delivering useful lessons on why projects go wrong and what can be done to prevent project failure. It also offers new ideas to enhance project management performance and innovation in our global society.This unique guide: Defines megaproject characteristics and frameworksReviews the Big Dig's history, stakeholders, and governanceExamines the project's management scope, scheduling, and cost managementincluding project delays and cost overrunsAnalyzes the Big Dig's risk management and quality managementReveals how to build a sustainable project through integration and change introduction

498 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013