MILLENNIUM DOME

Millennium Dome

Introduction3

Discussion4

Project Management of Millennium Dome4

Managing Large scale projects versus small scale projects6

Critical evaluation of project planning7

Execution of Millennium Dome and project conduction8

Financial and Cost forecasting10

Measuring project benefits11

Conclusion12

Suggestions and Recommendations13

Millennium Dome

Introduction

The Millennium Dome is a monumental building situated in London, United Kingdom. It was designed in the honor of welcoming and celebrating the year 2000 regarded as a new millennium. The building was named after its shape which resembles a dome. The structure was built on a purpose to house a year-long “Millennium Experience” exhibition that was to celebrate the year 2000 milestone. Labor party Prime Minister Tony Blair championed and expanded the project concept when he took office in 1997. The Millennium Experience was organized to as an event to attract the tourist into London during the millennium year. This was cherished as the moment of mankind's achievements.

The exhibition was open for public for a year period from 1st January 2000 to December 31st 2000. The exhibition and project were unable to attract the attention of the number of visitors expected and subjected to considerable political controversy with recurring financial problems. The building has now been demolished but the dome still exists and only the exterior feature of the structure remained as the rebranded O2.

The Dome had been stated as a disaster ever since it opened for public on New Year's Eve. The majority of the people thought that it was a complete waste of money and time. The private sponsors and promoters threatened to sue the project management for compensation. The dispersion of shows took place subsequent to the finality of the Dome. Much content was auctioned and some areas were dismantled by the sponsoring organizations. Despite the failure, the dome was argued about its future use. It reopened temporarily for some more exhibitions and musical festivals but not at such huge level as the Millennium Experience.

Discussion

The Dome project was conceived as a festival of Britain originally under a smaller scale. However, the labor government of Tony Blair significantly expanded the funding, scope, and size of the project. This ultimately leads to an increased expectation of what would be delivered. The planning was done for the conversion of Dome into a soccer sports ground after the exhibition. This was estimated to last for 25 years duration. Some soccer teams showed interest and decided to move to the dome but instead chose to redevelop their own stadiums due to small fan bases to make the project feasible.

The vision and mission was indeed a great idea and concept but the inappropriate and highly varied execution of the project Millennium Dome led it to downfall. The harsh closure of the building after the exhibition year and its consequences were also due to the negligence in financials forecasting and projections.

Project Management of Millennium Dome

The project management process consists of four stages in its lifecycle. Theoretically, it can be stated as:

Idea and initiation

Design and development

Implementation or construction

Commission

The planning an ongoing process throughout these steps and it is ...