BUSINESS CASE 4 Problem set – Business Case Project Title: ✓ Solved

This project is running between the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 8. This project will be completed in three parts: the South, North project and twinning the bridge over the Bow River. This project will be established on the existing Transport Utility Corridor, which was built in 1976.

The road will include 24 bridges, building about nine kilometers of 6 and 8 lane divided freeway, six interchanges, enhancing Stoney Trail from the Bow River to Scenic Acres, and reconstructing five kilometers of Trans-Canada Highway. When the project is completed, it will provide more than 101km of free-flow travel around the city.

How does this fit the four (4) elements of a project? For something to be a project, it has to be new, and in this case, constructing this road is doing a new thing, and when it is completed, it will be as good as new. The other thing is that a project has a series of tasks that need to be completed to gain a specific outcome. In this case, constructing this road requires a lot of effort, and also it has many tasks that need to be completed for a particular period. Another thing that makes it a project is its uniqueness. The road is unique in its way, where there is no other road in the city that looks like it. Another element is that the construction of this road has a beginning, and it will also come to an end.

Business Case (100 words exactly): West Calgary Ring Road, in Alberta, will improve access to schools, recreation, hospitals, and workplace and help to reduce the congestion in the city. The construction of this road began in 2019, and the project is expected to complete in 2024. The project's estimated cost is $1.0B. The project is needed because, when completed, it will provide more than 101km of free-flow travel around the city. When the project will be completed, it will be 101km in length. The construction will help reduce the frequency and number of trucks using public roads to haul gravel, reducing noise, and enhancing safety.

Paper For Above Instructions

The West Calgary Ring Road (WCRR) project is a significant infrastructure initiative designed to address the increasing transportation needs in Calgary, Alberta. As mentioned in the overview, the project aims to enhance connectivity by linking the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 8, ultimately facilitating better access to key facilities such as schools, hospitals, and recreational areas while also alleviating urban congestion.

The WCRR aligns with the four elements of project management: uniqueness, a defined beginning and end, a series of tasks, and the ability to create a new outcome. By creating a ring road, the city is not only implementing a novel approach to urban planning but also addressing an existing problem—congested traffic flows that hinder mobility across the region.

The project began in 2019 and is expected to conclude in 2024, with an estimated budget of $1 billion. A crucial aspect of the decision to proceed with the WCRR stems from its predicted economic benefits: it is anticipated to reduce the frequency and amount of gravel-hauling trucks on urban roads, which will subsequently minimize traffic noise and enhance road safety for all users (Alberta, 2020).

Before delving deeper into stakeholder identification and communication management plans, understanding the broader implications of such infrastructure projects on urban environments and local communities is essential.

Stakeholder Identification

Identifying stakeholders plays a pivotal role in successful project management. For the WCRR project, stakeholders are categorized into internal and external groups, significantly impacting both project progress and results. Below is a detailed identification of stakeholders based on industry best practices with the project framework from the Week 2 Business Case/Elevator Pitch.

Internal Stakeholders Impacted by Project Progress:

  • Project Management Team

  • Construction Workers

  • Engineers

  • Safety Officer

  • Quality Assurance Team

  • Financial Analysts

  • Urban Planners

  • Environmental Compliance Officer

External Stakeholders Impacted by Project Progress:

  • Calgary City Council

  • Alberta Infrastructure

  • Local Business Owners

  • Community Residents

  • Environmental Advocacy Groups

  • Public Transit Authorities

  • Transport Utility Corridor Management

  • Local Traffic Authorities

Internal Stakeholders Impacted by Project Result:

  • Senior Management

  • Maintenance Teams

  • Project Funders

  • HR Departments

  • Information Technology Teams

  • Marketing Team

  • Legal Department

  • Risk Management Team

External Stakeholders Impacted by Project Result:

  • Commuters using the WCRR

  • Local Emergency Services

  • Environmental Monitoring Agencies

  • Future Users (next 5-10 years)

  • Calgary Economic Development Authority

  • Customer Feedback Neighbors

  • Tourism Boards

  • Media Outlets

The identification of the above stakeholders allows for a structured approach toward communication management, ensuring all parties involved are informed and engaged appropriately throughout the project lifecycle.

Communication Management Plan

Developing a robust communication management plan for the WCRR involves outlining the methods and frequency of communication with identified stakeholders. Good communication throughout the project not only enhances transparency but also fosters collaboration and accountability.

Communication Objectives:

  • Notify stakeholders of project updates and milestones.

  • Gather feedback regarding community concerns and suggestions.

  • Share success stories and benefits of the project.

  • Ensure compliance with regulations and standards.

Communication Channels:

  • Email updates for internal stakeholders regarding project timelines.

  • Monthly public forums or town hall meetings for external stakeholders.

  • Social media updates to engage the community and gather feedback.

  • Project website with updates and resource materials.

Frequency of Communication:

  • Weekly project progress reports for internal stakeholders.

  • Monthly newsletters for external stakeholders.

  • Quarterly town hall meetings to address public concerns.

Measurement of Communication Success:

  • Analysis of stakeholder feedback and concerns collected during public forums.

  • Monitoring engagement metrics from online platforms and social media.

  • Regularly scheduled reflection sessions with internal teams to assess communication effectiveness.

By supporting the stakeholders with effective communication channels and scheduling, the WCRR project can achieve not only the timely delivery of quality infrastructure but also the fostering of a supportive community around it.

Conclusion

The West Calgary Ring Road project presents an exciting opportunity to enhance connectivity and improve transportation efficiency in Calgary. Identifying and effectively engaging stakeholders throughout the project is vital for its success. A structured communication strategy ensures stakeholders are adequately informed while addressing ongoing concerns effectively.

References

  • Alberta. (2020, April 20). West Calgary ring road. Retrieved from [link]

  • Kloppenborg, T., Anantatmula, V. S., & Wells, K. (2021). Contemporary Project Management (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.

  • Project Management Institute. (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Sixth Edition.

  • [Additional credible references...]