WAR ROOM – The “ Accountability” Board.

No, this is not about real wars, it’s a different sort of war, Work. Action. Resolution Room.

It was early on in my career, I was with Turner International, PMC for Burj Khalifa project. I asked for an opportunity to manage a smaller but very unique and interesting package, The Highest Observatory , in the Tallest building in the world with high speed elevators and the most unique Audio and visuals integrated into the space. It was also a two phase package with the usual Main works and Fit out as one phase and a Design & Construct package for the Exhibit works which had this whole new concept of telescopes, visuals, music scores, glass walls depicting details of how the project evolved, Time lapse, The people behind the Burj videos and Hall of fame, the highly specialized glass interiors inside the high speed elevators with light play, music and displays…and much more.

The Lift had only two buttons, ‘G’ and the next one is ‘124’. Exciting.

It was all a first time experience. The project itself is one of a kind, first time as a PM and first time handling this sort of unique package, though extremely challenging, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process, for, it was going to be an experience of a life time.

I was also very lucky to have equally dedicated counterparts for my package on the contractor’s side with Samsung Construction & Besix, the consultant GSM and the Client Side with Emaar. We made a great team collaborating and working towards one goal.

Around 6-8 months before the opening of Burj, the heat was on and no chances could be taken, after all it was the World’s tallest building and the Opening date of this, ‘does not’ change, the only option was to make it happen.

For me, it was a challenge to prove to myself and to the persons who gave me the opportunity to manage an area on my own, so early on, in my career. My first opportunity into Project Management Space as a project manager.

(Picture: WAR Room, Accountability Board for my Area, The Observatory)

Work . Action . Resolution Room, a concept Turner international, the PMC on the Burj Khalifa Project introduced as a trial to make everyone and anyone holding back the progress from the foreman to the client, for what ever reason, accountable, It was a transparent one and it worked.

Everyday, after the morning Site walk with the contractor, consultant and client checking and identifying issues hindering the completion of each space, we would head to the WAR Room. New issues would be added to the list and older issues would be followed up. No issue should stay on the board for longer than a week, or, it is escalated to the higher level. It needs to be Closed. Anyone and everyone who’s is being held up due to another party, can list their issue on the board. Every one is accountable, from the Foreman to the Client, all parties would be present at the WAR room, so the decision making is not delayed.

This really changed the scene, the site personnel were very motivated to be a part of this direct interaction and it boosted the Spirits.

We would also have a current picture of the space against the picture of final outcome, a rendering of how the space would look when completed. This gave a sense of gratification as the progress pictures get changed every time.

This was a great lesson for me early on in my career working with top notch professionals using effective strategies.

I took this lesson of “ Accountability” along with me from this project and used it in different forms within my other projects.

Getting the right experience truly made a world of difference in how I see and perceive my approach to issues.

How thankful could I be, to have gotten an opportunity to work on this Iconic project with so many lessons and experiences to carry along.

JUST GRATITUDE.