Pittsburgh International Airport

Midfield Terminal Energy Facility Case

Study

Project Management EBM680

Aagya Shrestha

June 25, 2019

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 This case explains the process of selecting and designing the heating technology for the Midfield
Terminal Energy Facility at the Pittsburgh International Airport. It also discusses the importance
and impact of project management in executing the work. It compares the broadly used steam
heating system with a hot water system and highlights the importance of scheduling, budgeting,
equipment selection, quality adherence, and minimization of long-term costs.

1. The design team was concerned with developing "real" quotations and selecting the best
energy system. Which of the nine-project management body of knowledge areas was used most?
Describe this process.

Project cost management was used the most in this project. Project Cost Management includes
the processes involved in planning, estimating, budgeting, financing, funding, managing, and
controlling costs so that the project can be completed within the approved budget. The approach
used by the design team resembles a life-cycle costing where analysis is done by assessing the
cost associated with acquiring, operating, maintaining and disposing of physical asset including
studies, research design, and development.

2. The authors state that project cost is directly proportional to the level of quality required.
Comment on this statement.

There is a relationship between cost and quality. When trying to cut costs and save money, there
tends to be a compromise on the quality of the product or service. This is not a good way to
manage a project. Planning and budgeting are very important, and a PM would need to make
decisions to budget a project considering the quality of the product and service is not
compromised. An effective PM would cut cost where needed and adjust according to the need of
the project.

3. Something which was not mentioned by the authors of this case was that the airport was
created using public funds and thus faced the problems associated with dealing with the
government and consequently the public as stakeholders. How did the owner/engineers of this
project deal with this challenge?

Although not clearly discussed, the owner/engineers must have included the government in their
development plans through meeting and other communications. By keeping the stakeholders well
informed and including them in steps of the process as appropriate and making sure they have
the stakeholders support and cooperation. Stakeholders must understand what you are trying to
achieve and communicating regularly with stakeholders to create a positive understanding can
help build effective long-term relationships. Transparency is key.

4. The author states that if realistic budget and quality are established, the project is properly
controlled by controlling the schedule. They later state that the schedule is the key controlling
mechanism. What are the key assumptions of this statement?

One of the assumptions is that the scope management process was correctly concluded and that
recognized actions are clearly stated. Another assumption is that all the activities will have been

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 planned for and their effects predicted. It also assumes that the project will not face
unforeseeable factors that will create unexpected challenges (Risk assessment).

5. The author mentions the importance of negotiating the quality, budgeting, and scheduling with
the project's owners. Elements of every project and even every activity of life involve
negotiation. Project managers always have to conduct negotiations in a project. What are some
strategies for negotiating as a project manager?

Some of the strategies for negotiating as a project manager are:

 Separate people from the problems. Identifying and addressing the issue or problem
rather than concentrating on individuals.
 Focus on the common interests in the process rather than the opposing positions of the
parties.
 Generate all possible alternative options and choose the option with mutual gain by
identifying shared interests.
 Require that results be based on some objective criteria.

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