Project Management: A Case Study of Crossrail Project

This report is a case study of the Crossrail project, which aims to increase rail capacity and reduce crowding in London and the South East. The report analyses the role of project in delivering the organisational strategy and describes the processes of initiating, planning and managing projects. It also covers risk management, project context, stakeholder management, governance and monitoring progress, and factors that contributed to the effective management of the project. The report concludes with recommendations for future projects.

Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK-1............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The present study is based on the concept of project management. Project management
refers to the management of all the activities that has to be undertaken in order to ensure
effective deliverables at the end of the project. Furthermore, effective management of the
activities assures the effective results (San Cristóbal and et.al., 2018). The selected project for
current study is Crossrail Project. The selected project is assuring the contribution in delivering
effective services in Elizabeth line. The project is associated with establishment of new railway
for the London and the South East that is running from the Reading & Heathrow under the west.
The Elizabeth line has been stretch over the 100km and more than up-to 60 miles. Thus, this
report based on the Crossrail project that was started in May 2012 and will be end in May 2023.
This is one of the biggest railway project (Williams and Black, 2018). The report will highlight
the role of project in terms of delivering the organisational strategy and the processes of
initiating, planning and managing projects will be highlighted. Furthermore, the report will
highlight the risk management, project context and Outputs & benefits of the project. Lastly, the
report will highlight the attributes that went effective and ineffective in the project management
of the selected project.
Aim and objectives of the Crossrail project
The major aim of the selected project is associated with the increasing capacity of rail
and reducing the crowding pattern. Along with, enhancing the connectivity of the destination in
the London and South East of the England.
TASK-1
Analysing the role of project in delivering the organizational strategy
Project refers to the set of task that has been taken by an individual, group of individuals or
bigger organizations in terms of delivering effective outcomes. There is a difference among the
concept of project and BAU (Business As Usual) as the project is temporary set of activities that
has been undertaken in terms of assuring effective outcomes. On the other hand, BAU has been
considered as the regular and routine practices in the business that is needed to be undertaken in
order to ensure the profitability in the business. Project plays crucial role in delivering effective
corporate strategy. Furthermore, it acts as a strong base for organizations in terms of
experiencing the growth and development that assist for the future development. The major role

that has been played by project is related to supporting the decision making in organizations and
enable them to have competitive advantage. Along with this, organizations become able to
implement change with the help of project. However, the project has been taken on a temporary
note but, it contributes in the development of organization for a longer period. The outcomes of
the project and the beneficial needs to be aligned with the organization’s strategy (Müller and
et.al., 2019). As there is link exist among the organization’s performance and the project success
rate. For example: An organization undertakes a project and that project has been proven
effective in terms of assuring success rate then, the major benefit has been experience by the
organization as the project is aligned with the organization strategy.
Describing the processes of initiating, planning and managing project
Initiation of project involves the approval and launching of the project as it plays vital role
in defining the roles and responsibilities of each member that are involved in the project.
Furthermore, the major approval from the stakeholders has been taken at the initiation stage of
the project. In order to establish the project, it is important to make the plans in relation of the
implementation of the project. As effective initiating and planning helps in ensuring the project
deliverables in effective manner. Several tools and techniques needs to be used that assures the
idea whether the project is going on a right track or not. The time aspect has to be analyse with
the help of Gantt chart and Critical analysation path. Project charter that has been considered as
the initial document for the project that contains the scope of the project along with the summary
that includes the assumption of the project as well (Carstens and Richardson, 2019). The project
can be managed in perfect manner within creation of the project charter document as it contains
the major information in relation of the project attributes. Thus, the effective understanding of all
parameters clears the vision and mission in relation of the project.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 2
TASK 2
Project context
A cross rail project is related to the enhancement of rail pattern and establishing a
connection with London areas. It involves laying of a new rail track from maiden head and
Heathrow of east. The main reason for cross rail project is to promote the London rail links
concept and handled by joint venture enterprise formed by London Transport Company.
As growing the importance of London as employer increases, cross-rail project will
make a new development in the city and create accessible from other areas or place. It supports
to reduce extra burdens which have already strained underground as well as urban road network.
This kind of project is expected to boost the economic condition of UK.
By using cross rail project, it is taking important action over from different routes into
termini, improving the capacity that will free at existing terminal. The cross rail project would
provide advantage for London government and estimated the overall value about 2.5 billion
(Whyte, Davies and Sexton, 2022). In some cases, it also considered the weakness in the project
such as unable to identify the results or outcomes. It can be developed possibilities to change the
subject. On the other hand, the complex problem with people which cause delay in the project
completion. Cost is another important factor which can be increased burden on the staff members
and meet the expectation level. On the basis of analysis, the project manager of cross rail project
were focused on use effective strategies with the help of planning. Afterward, it will be
generating accurate results or outcomes.
Stakeholder management
It is defined the group of team and enterprise that are directly as well as indirectly impact
on the cross rail project. The involvement of different stakeholders such as employees, manager,
customers and suppliers. These are participating different role to understand the interest of
project and identify how it will impacts. Based on the stakeholder management, it has been
categorised the evaluation and determine the power which influence interest of people during
project execution (Tyner, 2022). In cross rail project. There are different stakeholder participated
and perform a significant tasks in the railway project. Each and every staff members are handling

various departments, local residents, suppliers, and government officials. These are considered
the important stakeholders of cross rail project and development of new rail infrastructure.
In cross rail project, the government, local authorities are becoming important
stakeholders and perform various legal activities. For example- the local residents of London,
identified the specific need of management. It is also creating a major disruption in the project
management and also monitor the activity of project progress. In some case, local people will not
support because of air, noise pollution. It is always developing a major inconvenience for staff
members and also impacted the entire project.
Due to the cross rail project, it would be developed the environmental pressure on the
local people and they were not happy with disruption in the ecosystem. In some situation, the
project manager of cross rail project is developing good relationship with local people in UK and
provide more awareness about benefits or threats. This kind of approach will be creating a
positive impact and ensure that all local people will be satisfied. The project manager will try to
minimise the level of waste items and also considering the animal protection. In this way, it helps
to remain maintain bio-diversity and prevent loss of people or animals at the time of cross rail
project development.
Governance & monitoring progress
In case of crossrail project, Governance plays an important aspect because it supports to
establish a strong correlation between success of project and collaboration with governance. On
the basis of strategy director or manager, it is one of the largest project in Europe and spent more
than 3 years. This kind of cross rail project can be developed by CRL firm which was established
in 2001. The critical aspect of project success is the management of governance because it
enabled to make an important decision on behalf of stakeholders, funders (Fung, 2022).
Undoubtedly, the crossrail project has gained so much importance from government as well as
industry level.
Generally, it is focused on the cross rail infrastructure development in UK and follows a
particular initiation route map and then further move ahead. According to the strategy planner, it
is important thing to gain more experience and influenced the development of project. The
approach of route map supports the governance of cross rail project. Typically, it should be
considered the different factors:-

 Capability of enterprises
 Complexity of project and its current environment
 Alignment with capability and handling complex tasks.
Cross governance and funding is the most common principles in order to represent the
structure of entire project. Usually, it is important to clear separation of other sponsor, those are
participating into project management. The sponsors group are focused on the main funders and
delivery body which was developed by executive board of Crossrail limited. It would be
categorised the level of operational team and maintain a clarity of accounting, reporting. Team or
group of CRL has been putting extra efforts on the core governance principles such as: -
 Clearly showing the statement of project objectives.
 Maintain the level of autonomy and handling decision process.
 Building a strong collaboration with team members and handling working relations.
Figure: 1
Risk management
Risk management is one of the most important aspect in the cross rail project and
developed more understanding towards unexpected event that is directly affecting the project
progress. It is also caused severe losses and delay in project completion. In the context of cross
rail project, it should be considered the risk management approach which is mainly used by
project manager to ensure that eliminate all kind of negative impacts. At the time of planning
stage, the project will be focused on evaluating the major risks or threats and causes of local
residents, animal losses.

By using risk management, it has been examined the risks, hazards or threats such as
damage physical existence of buildings, houses. When a cross rail project depends on the
infrastructure development so that it will be required the need of space, areas. So, it may arise the
risks of property damage, human life. On the basis of evaluation, it has been identified the
hazards in cross rail project (Hamdan, 2021). Once identified major risks or threats, it can be
used risk management plan by manager to eliminate all negative approach. Analysing depth
study on risk and enhance chances to achieve success of project.
In cross rail project, manager will try to divide various risks through accurate matrix and
also measured or gained right information. As considering the severity and impacts, likelihoods
of event occurrence. It has been increased the level of disruption in the cross rail project. The
aim of project manager is to create an effective mitigation strategy plan to minimise the
significant impacts of risks and reach desirable outcomes (Whyte, Davies and Sexton, 2022). In
case of mitigation, it is always identified the artefacts and ensure that team will not directly
damage heritage but needs to be finding a suitable outcomes.
TASK 3
Factors contributed to the effective management of cross rail project
Based on the cross rail project, it should be considered the different factors which
contributed an effective role in the project management (Liu and Liu, 2022). It including
stakeholders, risk management, accountability, and reliability of project deliverables.
In the context of cross-rail project, it provide the brief idea, innovation in the
transportation capability. In order to cope with London’s forecast population and maintain level
of economic growth. For managing the extensive upgrades, it is focused on the existing rail
network which was existed into outside of London (Epps, 2022). Through new project, it is
compatible to build a connection. The role of project manager in order to integrate with team
member and extensively handling construction programs or events.

Which are absent
A cross rail project is quite longer so that it would be required to use the software,
application to manage, update, and record essential information (Whyte, Davies and Sexton,
2022). To use digital software, it can be measured the entire progress of project and achieve
desirable goals or objectives. On the other hand, it will be created a proper roadmap and then
performing the different procedures in step by step manner. During project execution, it can be
utilised the relocation which took place across different areas and protect the rail services for
business and local residents.
Recommendation
Before starting cross rail project, it will be recommends that consider different processes
such as planning, initiation, executions. These are useful for manager to understand complex
issue and analyse that how it will impact the progress of entire project (Liu and Liu, 2022). The
most common problem can be identified in cross rail project related to damage of animal’s,
building. It is important to consider this problem and implementing appropriate mitigated
solution. At that time, problem solving and decision making process can be played an important
role in the project management.
Counting the advantages and realised, in order to focus on the realised the benefits and
used by project manager. The logical aspect is to gain more benefits or advantages of planning.
As seeking the engagement from multiple stakeholders and creating an effective environment for
sharing benefits.
Planning benefits or advantages from infrastructure- In the context of cross rail project,
the project manager will be establishing strong coordination and collaboration with team
members (Kerrigan, 2022). In this process, it is expected to gain more benefits and sharing their
appropriate plan with team members. It will help for manager to calculate or estimate benefits of
project.
Realising advantage from infrastructure- the benefits do not occurs by themselves. It
should be identified the risks or threats which often turn to the major issues such as prices or
costs. In some cases, it is unable to manage or control the project.
In cross rail project, it can be calculated 18.9 billion costs, the benefits would not
realised without any planning. Some kind of essential work can be done in proper manner. The
project manager have made an effective plan to change entire business operations and take

benefit of developing a new transportation, managing flow of work. With focus on the planning
to understand or realise advantage or benefits. It would be achieved the desirable goals through
success or failure of plan.
CONCLUSION
From above discussion, it has been summarised the role of project manager in crossrail
project while delivering the organisational strategy and the processes of initiating, planning and
managing projects will be highlighted. Furthermore, the report has been discussed the risk
management, project context and Outputs & benefits of the project. Lastly, the report can be
examined the attributes that went effective and ineffective in the project management.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Carstens, D.S. and Richardson, G.L., 2019. Project management tools and techniques: A
practical guide. CRC Press.
Epps, G., 2022. Implementing Project Community Relations. In Crossrail Project: Infrastructure
Design and Construction (pp. 127-135). ICE Publishing.
Fung, W., 2022. Optimisation of door operating performance in Crossrail Stations. In Crossrail
Project: Infrastructure Design and Construction (pp. 213-220). ICE Publishing.
Hamdan, H.A., 2021. Strategies promoting innovation in sustainable neighborhood (SN)
projects–Lessons from complex and mega projects. Procedia Computer Science, 181,
pp.411-418.
Kerrigan, P., 2022. The Crossrail Requirements for the Emergency Power Supplies
(Uninterruptible Power Systems). In Crossrail Project: Infrastructure Design and
Construction (pp. 165-173). ICE Publishing.
Liu, J. and Liu, J., Original Paper Appraising the Likely Gentrification Impacts of a Mega
Transport Project—The Case of Crossrail.
Müller and et.al., 2019. Modeling organizational project management. Project Management
Journal, 50(4), pp.499-513.
San Cristóbal and et.al., 2018. Complexity and project management: A general
overview. Complexity, 2018.
Tyner, D., 2022. Crossrail Systems Integration–Lessons Learned and Good Practice in Managing
Interdisciplinary Systems Integration through each Stage of the Crossrail Programme.
In Crossrail Project: Infrastructure Design and Construction (pp. 137-144). ICE
Publishing.
Whyte, J., Davies, A. and Sexton, C., 2022. Systems integration in infrastructure projects: seven
lessons from Crossrail. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Management,
Procurement and Law. 40(XXXX). pp.1-7.
Williams, R.V. and Black, M. eds., 2018. Crossrail Project: Infrastructure design and
construction. ICE Publishing.