Project Management for High Speed 2: Planning, Execution, and Success Factors

The report discussed the project of High Speed 2, which is a high-speed railway network in the United Kingdom. The report covered various aspects of project management such as project planning, execution, deliverables, scope, key risks, success factors, key constraints, time, stakeholder analysis, and project life cycle. The report also discussed the use of project management tools such as Gantt chart and work breakdown structure.

Project Management
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INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Project management is defined as a procedure of leading the work of a team in order to
accomplish overall project goals within the provided constraint. In simple terms project
management is termed as an application of methods, processes, experience, knowledge and skills
to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters (Alberola and Ruff, 2021). Main
purpose of project management is to efficiently plan and manage project as to successfully
accomplish project deliverables and goals. In this it is essential for project manager to manage
and identify risks, conduct resource management, smart budgeting with clear communication
across stakeholders and team in order to accomplish project with high standards. Present report
discusses project of High speed 2 which is one of the best high-speed railways in United
Kingdom. For this report include project planning, execution, deliverables, scope, key risk,
success factors, key constraints, time, stakeholder analysis and project life cycle.
MAIN BODY
Business case
Executive summary:
High speed 2 is a plan high-speed railway network in the provinces of United Kingdom.
HS2 is a new high-speed railway which link-up London, the Midlands, the North and Scotland
and serves approximately 25 stations. The main objective of this project is to develop a world-
class high speed rail network in order to provide support in connecting city, economic growth
and development for United Kingdom. Furthermore, it has been the underlined that the main aim
of this project is to efficiently deliver a shift to low carbon transport and offer opportunities to
increase communities’ quality of life.
Solution:
To fulfil this project under specified time frame, use of PLC along with other significant
principle will be undertaken associated to operations management.
Cost:
To fulfil all the activities under this project the required amount of is needed£57bn. It mainly
involves different tools such as staff salary as well as other essential resources which is needed to
complete project activities under provided time frame (Bradley, 2021).
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Project Plan:
This is mainly used by organisation to accomplish project objectives and goals in
efficient way. It has been evaluated that there are certain elements that are being used by HS2 in
order to execute and complete project in a success manner.
Cost:
This is an essential element which include financial sources which is needed to complete
project activities. Managers and leaders are responsible to analyse cost which is needed to
complete project in a successful manner. In terms with present project estimation of £57bn is
required.
Scope:
This project will offer significant upgrades to the terminal stations of London Euston,
Leeds and Manchester. This project is having scope to develop a new high-speed line and
enhance community life style. In this management team in terms of HS2 project aid in assuring
production process quality.
Key Risks:
Key risk associated to the high-speed to cost project is budget and schedule along with
protest activities, skill shortage and staff turnover. All these risks have potential to impact
successful completion of project objectives.
Resource:
To fulfil HS2 project objectives there are certain resources which is essential for project
managers and higher authorities accumulate include advanced technologies, resources and
skilled labours in order to deliver project objectives in given time frame (Hair and Sarstedt,
2021).
Project benefits
Main benefit associated to this project is that it will truly free up capacity on the existing
line and also enable more local commuter services which also helps in offering environmental
benefits.
Project Objectives
Main objective of this project is to:
 Optimise connectivity with direct links between all the UK principal cities.
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 To radically reduce journey times on all intercity routes is another objective of this
project.
 In addition to this a high-capacity integrated national network interlinking all regions is
another most important objective of this project.
 To make new routes to link Midlands’s cities and fire up the Midlands engine is also a
significant objective of this project.
 To undertake step changes in order to reduce Co2 in transport to minimise damage to
communities and environment.
 To reduce cost of construction are some of the objectives of this project.
Project deliverables
The project deliverables of high-speed to project is to develop one of the world's leading
infrastructure projects with the high-speed railways which help connecting London Birmingham,
Leeds and Manchester through a new Y shaped network (Harold, 2021). The primary feature of
this project is 64 miles of tunnels, 2 new deports, 4brand new stations, 10 tunnels boring
machines, 22000 workers, the UK’s longest viaduct, 140 miles roots length and over 500
bridging structures under and over the route.
Roles and Responsibilities:
 The HS2 Limited internal sponsor is having responsibility to lead the review of proposed
changes and manage agreement of any changes in efficient manner.
 Project manager of HS2 is responsible to ensure that project is set up for success and also
conduct regular review of project activities in order to accomplish activities. Project
manager is also responsible to monitor and control of progress of report ensure effective
communication strategy review of appropriate strategy manager formal project closer and
represent information to the stakeholders.
 Executive committee is responsible to deliver policy and business plan while determining
appropriate reporting arrangement as to ensure key deliverables progress. Along with this
committee is responsible to identify and manage risk oversight financial strategy, conduct
talent management, succession planning and remuneration and resolve other corporate
issues.
 Responsive board of this project is responsible to develop policies and strategy in order to
oversee delivery against objectives.
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 Corporate governance board is responsible to review program internal control
performance measurement process and delegated authorities in order to make sure that
this will help in supporting effective Assurance and decision making.
 The senior communication group have responsibility to evaluate communication
priorities and strategies and determine program positioning on key issues.
 The cost and risk group have responsibility to offer the programming board insurance on
project elements including a risk cost and opportunity.
Key Success factors
Success factors which will make this project successful is that, train offer more time and
space to relax, socialize and work. Along with this, it will also the successful as high-speed train
connect with other form of transportation which include inter-city city buses, local trains and
major airports which provide an effective passenger rail network (To and Lam, 2021). This will
connect big cities and reduce waiting time. It helps in reducing travel time of travellers.
In addition to this, proper planning with cost contingencies and time in place in addition
with elaborate risk management are expected to play key essential role as a success factor of
accomplishment of this project. Furthermore, vigilance of project team along with regular
follow-up of project plan as per the scope of project will also help in playing crucial role in a
success factor of this project.
Budgetary assumptions:
The HS2 project will be funded by a grant in aid from the government. HS2 Limited is
mainly an executive non departmental public body. In this with the help of proper budgetary
control development of budget from assumptions is being done in order to ensure
accomplishment of project under allotted budget.
Key assumptions:
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Most important assumption while planning for this project is associated to economic
benefits. Along with this, this project will add capacity and connectivity and deliver value to the
UK tax payers and passengers (Singh, 2021). It has been assumed that by executing all the plan
of this project efficiently. This project will set new standards in passenger experience and will
also create and environmentally sustainable solution which helps in minimising negative impact
of carbon.
Methodological approaches:
To accomplish this process EIA methodology will be undertaken as it is a process which
new leads to the success of project.
Key Constraints:
Time:
Time constant in addition with the risk and labour cost constraints which it is essential to
conduct proper planning as per time constant as it led towards delay of project which can be due
to availability of resource and inefficiency of skilled individual.
Quality:
It is essential to recognise the strong management system in order to control quality of
project. In the present project to guarantee success accomplishment of project deliverables,
project manager recognises importance of project management system in order to control project
activities. In this project manager will take use of team project management program in order to
offer the key milestones (Pan and Zhang, 2021). With the help of control procedure and project
reporting project manager utilise schedule and cost control program as to offer internal
management data to the task manager and management team. In these monthly reports which
included a budget hour, labour budget by task and team expenditure will included which allow to
monitor project resources efficiently against pre-established budget. With the help of quality
management program management of data quality control plan will be undertaken to fulfil
project objectives efficiently. Along with this, with the help of risk management strategies
effective and timely response to risks will be done. In this the risk register will be reviewed
monthly by project board in order to overcome risk in efficient manner.
Communication plan
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In order to accomplish project efficiently it is essential for a project manager to have a
strong communication process between communities, stakeholders and project teams in order to
provide an efficient as well as effective reporting system. Present project is United Kingdom
largest single infrastructure project which will have significant impact upon every individual. In
order to fulfil this project expectation project management team will engage with stakeholders
and communities who are affected by this project. With the help of strong communication
process all the stakeholders will be informed with the development of the schemes along with
both on going engagement and formal consultation activities. In this with the help of taking use
of variety of forms of media to make sure that information will be provided to every stakeholder
will be undertaken by project manager. Along with this with the help of annual report and
maintaining consumer relationship management database as a record of stakeholder engagement
project manager will provide independent oversight of activities and will ask for
recommendation for further improvements (Podkolinski, 2021). The main stakeholders of this
project include local representatives, local communities who will get affected by this, businesses,
environmental groups, campaign group, supply chain industry, government, non-government
organisation and more. This project is expected to deliver product connectivity benefits across
number of cities. In this case with the help of strong communication process and meaningful
exchange of communication information will be provided to stakeholders group. In this,
workshop will be setup, news release, media conference, community partnership programs,
presentation to communities’ meetings are some of the ways through which honest, efficient
continuous and open communication will undertake with stakeholders and the general public in
order to ensure successful delivery of this project.
Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder Impact on the
project
Role of the
stakeholders
How the
project can be
blocked
Management of
the stakeholder
Investors High They offer
financial aid or
assistance in
project,
Fails or denying
offerings
financial aid on
time.
Regularly
discuss funding
requirement
with transparent
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communication.
Project
manager
High Project planning
as well as
effective
execution of
project.
With poor
planning of
project
activities.
Regular
communication
and exchange of
essential data
information’s.
Government High In terms with
government
orders.
By denying or
delaying
permission.
By providing
and exchanging
information via
e-mail.
The
Development
Partner
Medium They offer many
supports such as
budgetary and
technical and
By delaying
project planning.
By providing all
details and up-
dates.
Local
communities
Medium Helps in
offerings local
knowledge
which increase
project
acceptability and
sustainability.
By creating
barrier in
acceptance of
project.
By sharing
relevant and
necessary
information over
e-mail.
Supply chain
industry
High Role of
management of
processes and
supplies
throughout the
whole project.
By affecting
project resources
and raw
materials needs
which will
directly affect
project goal.
With the help of
strong and
transparent
communication.
Environmental
groups
High Inspire number
of individuals
By creating
negative impact
Ask for the
feedbacks and
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and
communities
about the benefit
of project.
of project
among mind set
of large base of
individuals.
provide them
information
regarding
benefit of
project.
Gantt Chart:
Gantt chart is a form of bar chart which illustrate project schedule. This is an efficient
project management tool which helps project manager in the planning and scheduling of project
activities. In terms with present project with the help of taking advantage of this chat project
manager will plan activities accordingly and determine the resources needed to accomplish
project activities (Sarkar, Jha and Patel, 2021). With the help of this project manager can also
manage the dependency between task and can visualise project plan across time. With the help of
this chart project manager can build a project plan and can identify the relationship between task
which will help manage resources efficiently.
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Work Breakdown Structure:
Work breakdown structure is mainly work as a hierarchical outline of task which is
needed to fulfil project activities. With the help of this structure project manager can manage
project deliverables efficiently and can fulfil all the task as per the proper timeline. Work
breakdown structure helps in breaking down project activities into smaller and manageable tasks
which helps in enhancing project effectiveness (Sergeeva and Davies, 2021). This structure
allows project manager to a complete project in more approachable and manageable manner. In
terms with HS2 project, with the help of breakdown structure project manager plan work and
activities efficiently and assign fixed time period and cost in order to ensure effective execution
of project.
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CONCLUSION
As per the above report it has been concluded that management of a project is crucial aspect
for a project manager in order to accomplish project goals and objectives within specified time,
scale and budget. In this project manager is responsible to accumulate all the resources and
monitor project stages efficiently in order to increase effectiveness of project goals. With the
help of breaking down project with the help of work breakdown structure and Gantt chart all the
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activities of project can be conducted in the set time frame smoothly. This will help in
accomplishing project goals while assuring success.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alberola, R. and Ruff, P., 2021. Towards a digital blueprint: data, technology and collaboration
at the core of HS2. In High Speed Two (HS2): Infrastructure Design and Construction
(Volume 2) (pp. 3-17). ICE Publishing.
Bonard, C., Richards, C. and Mudiganti, A., 2021, February. HS2 railway, UK–route
development to the hybrid bill: the environmental statement. In Proceedings of the
Institution of Civil Engineers-Transport (Vol. 174, No. 1, pp. 33-41). Thomas Telford
Ltd.
Bradley, A., 2021. Designing and assuring the UK’s largest ever human remains reburial
programme. In High Speed Two (HS2): Infrastructure Design and Construction
(Volume 2) (pp. 293-309). ICE Publishing.
Hair, J.F. and Sarstedt, M., 2021. Explanation Plus Prediction—The Logical Focus of Project
Management Research. Project Management Journal, p.8756972821999945.
Harold, K., 2021. Project management: case studies. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
McNaughton, A. and Banks, N., 2021, February. HS2 railway, UK: route optioneering.
In Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Transport (Vol. 174, No. 1, pp. 12-
24). Thomas Telford Ltd.
Pan, Y. and Zhang, L., 2021. A BIM-data mining integrated digital twin framework for advanced
project management. Automation in Construction, 124, p.103564.
Podkolinski, J., 2021, February. HS2 railway, UK–the hybrid bill. In Proceedings of the
Institution of Civil Engineers-Transport (Vol. 174, No. 1, pp. 59-66). Thomas Telford
Ltd.
Sarkar, D., Jha, K.N. and Patel, S., 2021. Critical chain project management for a highway
construction project with a focus on theory of constraints. International Journal of
Construction Management, 21(2), pp.194-207.
Sergeeva, N. and Davies, A., 2021. Storytelling from the authentic leader of High Speed 2 (HS2)
Ltd. infrastructure megaproject in the United Kingdom. In Megaproject Leaders.
Edward Elgar Publishing.
Singh, S., 2021. Use of sustainability assessments (BREEAM and CEEQUAL) on the HS2
project. In High Speed Two (HS2): Infrastructure Design and Construction (Volume
2) (pp. 231-239). ICE Publishing.
To, W.M. and Lam, K.H., 2021. Green project management from employees' perspective in
Hong Kong's engineering and construction sectors. Engineering, Construction and
Architectural Management.
Verzuh, E., 2021. The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The Comprehensive, Easy-
to-read Handbook for Beginners and Pros. John Wiley & Sons.
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