Alexander Beetz

Aut Viam Inveniam, Aut Faciam

Project Management

Many people will tell you they have managed projects. Most of them just participated. Project management is a profession, and to me it's also an art. It requires specific knowledge to organize, set up and execute a project. This knowledge can be obtained by education. But there is a difference between "Talking the Talk" and "Walking the Walk". With 18 years of experience and many projects delivered, I've seen -and lived- happy and less happy projects. Most of all, I have learned that preparation is key. Failing to prepare, is preparation for failure . And preparation will take time. Time well spent, because poor preparation will get back to you in the end of the project as budget overrun, poor quality and delayed delivery.

The second word in 'project management' is management . It refers to the ability to take control of the project and guide everyone towards the finish line. It requires leadership, winning people’s hearts and minds and keeping them close to you. Alone you will go faster, together you will get further . You will need your team to deliver the project. I have built many teams and the challenge is always to get the right mix of brainpower and soft skills on board. A solid team will successfully face the project challenges and overcome all hurdles and storms. And as their leader, I will take care of them.

Keep everyone informed to gain maximal buy-in for the project, manage the stake holders, be pro-active and take care of business. As a project manager, your key objective is to serve your principal. So bring him the news. Whether it is good or bad. When a project comes to cross roads, it is time to earn your money. I will not only be the bearer of good or bad tidings, but will also bring solutions and give my principal several scenarios to overcome, succeed and get the job done. Successful execution is all that counts in the end.

Project Backbone KLM-AAS

For my employer KLM Royal Dutch Airlines I managed the project Backbone. This 240M euro project was co-managed by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AAS) and KLM. Hence 2 project managers managed the project together. It took my AAS colleague Peter Verstappen and me 4 years to complete the project with our joint team, well within budget.

The biggest challenge was to execute the project while all baggage and check-in processes stayed operational. Our COO called the project "open heart surgery without anaesthesia". Hence besides the technical component, the project had a large process organizational component. We had to bring all involved parties together and create alignment in operations. We delivered the project without any major disruption. As of today AAS and KLM are still using the project contingency models that we created during the project.

Watch the movie (Dutch)

What's the Plan B?

“A clever person has a plan, a less clever person has an excuse”. For me risk management is an integral part of project management. So when preparing and designing the project execution, a thorough Risk Inventory and Risk Analysis is done. For project Backbone the project team evaluated the airport contingency plans that were in place and the impact the project had on this plans. For every phase of the project, a Contingency Handling Plan was designed and written. Before entering the next project phase, the new operational conditions and contingency plans were tested and trained in Contingency Training Exercises. All operational and emergency departments were involved in these trainings. Your plan is as solid as your backup plan!

Construction Michael Page WTC Amsterdam

For my principal Michael Page I delivered several projects. The realization of their new head office in Amsterdam was executed on turn-key basis under challenging logistical conditions by my company The Project Key (part of Terra Firma). Execution started on June 1st 2004 and only 3 months later, Michael Page moved into the new office during the weekend and was fully operational on August 30th. The flawless execution attracted attention from several other companies that were about to rent offices in the WTC and they all became satisfied clients. Successful Turn-key project delivery is all about delivering promises and living up to expectations. Results, no excuses. It’s the only thing that counts. This project was used for the company show reel. Click the button!

Watch the movie (Dutch)
B-BLOG

Contact