Burj Khalifa - Success or Failure?: Project Management Perspective
Project Overview
‘Burj Khalifa’, formerly known as ‘Burj Dubai’ is currently the world’s tallest building. It is a unique & spectacular skyscraper, and an engineering marvel to set ones sight on – if one could get a complete glance without having to strain their neck. Almost a kilometer from tip-to-toe, the exquisite structure stands about 2,717 feet or 830 meters tall with total-floors amounting over 160 (Golden, 2010). Located in the heart of the fresh-metropolitan city, Dubai, the Burj Khalifa was just one part of the vast project called ‘Burj Downtown’ or ‘Downtown Dubai’, which included the world’s largest shopping mall ‘The Dubai Mall’ and various other construction projects (villas, offices, entertainment/recreational facilities, restaurants, etc.). The goal of erecting Burj Khalifa was not only to be the highest skyscraper but was designed & constructed to be a milestone of ingenuity, inspiration and accomplishment. The construction was planned by the Dubai government with the purpose of becoming a hub for finance, trade & tourism in the Middle-East ("Burj khalifa" 2009). The idea of the mega-structure itself feels or sounds almost over-whelming, but there was and is a strong will, vision, goal and mission set by the political & economic leaders of the United Arab Emirates to accomplish the task of creating, managing & handling the world’s tallest building. As it was announced near the end of year-2003 that the world’s highest man-made structure was being planned to be constructed soon, much was expected to follow-through in the coming time. Undoubtedly, it was a massive project with over 60 contractors & consultants (both international & local) and thousands of people (stakeholders) and a budget of about U.S.D. 875 million ("Burj khalifa fact sheet" 2010). According the developers (Emaar PJSC), approximately 22 million man-hours were expected (2004-2008) to the finalization of the masterpiece. After some planning, the construction process began in January
‘Burj Khalifa’, formerly known as ‘Burj Dubai’ is currently the world’s tallest building. It is a unique & spectacular skyscraper, and an engineering marvel to set ones sight on – if one could get a complete glance without having to strain their neck. Almost a kilometer from tip-to-toe, the exquisite structure stands about 2,717 feet or 830 meters tall with total-floors amounting over 160 (Golden, 2010). Located in the heart of the fresh-metropolitan city, Dubai, the Burj Khalifa was just one part of the vast project called ‘Burj Downtown’ or ‘Downtown Dubai’, which included the world’s largest shopping mall ‘The Dubai Mall’ and various other construction projects (villas, offices, entertainment/recreational facilities, restaurants, etc.). The goal of erecting Burj Khalifa was not only to be the highest skyscraper but was designed & constructed to be a milestone of ingenuity, inspiration and accomplishment. The construction was planned by the Dubai government with the purpose of becoming a hub for finance, trade & tourism in the Middle-East ("Burj khalifa" 2009). The idea of the mega-structure itself feels or sounds almost over-whelming, but there was and is a strong will, vision, goal and mission set by the political & economic leaders of the United Arab Emirates to accomplish the task of creating, managing & handling the world’s tallest building. As it was announced near the end of year-2003 that the world’s highest man-made structure was being planned to be constructed soon, much was expected to follow-through in the coming time. Undoubtedly, it was a massive project with over 60 contractors & consultants (both international & local) and thousands of people (stakeholders) and a budget of about U.S.D. 875 million ("Burj khalifa fact sheet" 2010). According the developers (Emaar PJSC), approximately 22 million man-hours were expected (2004-2008) to the finalization of the masterpiece. After some planning, the construction process began in January
References: Burj khalifa | the tower | construction history & photos. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/language/en-us/the-tower/construction.aspx Golden, L. (2010, January 05). The world 's tallest tower. Retrieved from http://www.ameinfo.com/220299.html Attarzadeh, I. (2008). Project management practices: The criteria for success or failure. Retrieved from http://www.ibimapublishing.com/journals/CIBIMA/volume1/v1n28.pdf Frese, R. (2003, December 16). Project success & failure. Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/~sauterv/analysis/6840_f03_papers/frese/ Burj khalifa fact sheet. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.dubaicityguide.com/site/burj/factsheet.asp Nelson, R. (2006, March 06). Evaluating project success, failure -- and everything in between. Retrieved from http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/109087/Evaluating_Project_Success_Failure_and_Ev erything_in_Between?taxonomyId=14&pageNumber=2 CW Staff. (2010, January 16). How the burj was built. Retrieved from http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-7400-how-the-burj-was-built/6/ Proctor, R. (2011, January 11). Burj khalifa rents drop. Retrieved from http://www.hauteliving.com/2011/01/burj-khalifa-apartments-for-rent/119810/ Kamin, B. (2012, January 04). Cityscapes: The burj khalifa... Retrieved from http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2012/01/isthe-worlds-tallestbuildinghaving-its-king-kong-moment-two-years-afterdubais-burj-khalifa-opened-amida-blazeof-fireworks.html