Diana R Jackson 1192710

Salt Lake City Olympics, Case study

The Athens Olympic Games of 2004 had a completely different set of
obstacles than the Olympic games in Salt Lake City in 2002. As the
Olympic games origin, Athens main goal was to impress the world by
arranging the biggest sports event to date. Salt Lake Olympics
experienced a lot more challenges. Besides the budget cuts and
general organizational issues, the Olympics Committee had to face
safety concerns that occurred after 9/11 terrorists attacks. At that
time, the main goal was to keep the right to host Olympics, rather than
arrange the biggest sports show.
There were also several common features of both events:
a) A one time unique sports project that had to be different from
previous ones
b) High maintenance, complicated organizational structure
c) Project involves thousands of people and have limited budgets
1) What was the biggest challenge for SLOC to deal with in
organizing a successful Olympics?
The terrorists attack on 9/11 threw a question mark on the ability
to handle any large events at that time. Safety concerns became
the biggest issues. Companies didnt know how to operate under
new rules and regulations
2) Which outstanding problem was crucial and what needed to
be done to solve that?
Budget deficits and bad reputation of the SLOC related to the
recent scandal seemed to be a great obstacle in hosting the
Olympic games. SLOC had to hire a new CEO that could solve those
issues and be trusted as well.
3) Why did Romney drive to reassess the budget and draw up
a new one (albeit still one thats in deficit)?
Romney suggested budget cuts that were absolutely unnecessary.
They ranged from symbolic to absolutely crucial. He also identified
with areas to generate revenue-service fees while charging for

previously free events and fundraising money from sports

generations.
4) Why did Romney feel that he needed a COO?
Mitt Romney didnt have any experience in sports management and
handling such a massive sports project by him self was practically
impossible. He needed someone who he could trust. Someone who was
experienced in finance, technology and operations.
5) Why did Bullock feel the need to reorganize the staff and
functions of the organization?
Bullock wanted to empower its management teams by allowing them
to come up with solutions for operational and functional challenges. He
had to control the cost, generate revenue and increase efficiency of
the operations.
6) What was the most difficult thing in the reorganization?
There was no set structure and no cross-functional activity among
departments. There was also lack of communication and no
teamwork.
Executives had to invite experienced managers to help organize
the games.
7) Why was a silo style of staffing not appropriate for the
SLOC?
Each department operated independently without a particular plan.
Employees didnt have a set of the goals they had to achieve as a
team. Every part of organization worked only one particular subject
without cooperating with others.
8) What are the differences between organizing an Olympics
and running a corporation?
The Olympic games are a one-time unique project, while
corporations are long-term functioning institutions. There is no set
manual for organizing the Olympic Games and its every new tasks.
These types of independent projects dont have set corporate
culture, history or future.

9) How essential was it for the SLOC to have a time plan and
how crucial was it to stick to that schedule?
The start date for the Olympic games was set in advance and could
not be changed. It was very critical to develop strict schedule and
keep everyone informed about important dates and time limits.
There were over 37,000 individual tasks that had to culminate in a
delivery date.
10) How important is it for the SLOC to have simulation and
tests conducted even if it was not according to the expected
scale the Olympics would have been?
The committee had to develop well-operated mechanism that could
function in different types of situations. Tests helped to highlight risk
areas and create additional plans for unpredictable circumstances.
Severe weather, power loss, protests and other possible critical
scenarios were analyzed and solutions were developed.
11) Summarize the key points of the case. What can we learn
from it and are the lessons learnt here transferable to other
industries or businesses?
Key points:
A) Know your goal and your resources. Find someone who can help
to use resources wisely- cut the cost and generate extra revenue.
B) Plan and schedule everything. Let all your employees know
important dates and time limits.
C) Use risk management technologies to develop additional plans
and solutions.
Arranging the Salt Lake City Olympic games is an example of
outstanding planning and organizational skills. Management faced
several major obstacles that could have stop the event. However, in
focusing on the most significant key points, executives were able to
complete the project and save the reputation of the nation.