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Fun page. The whole BER project and its delays is such an astonishing example of management that it is hard to believe it happened. I first thought it could onl

Fun page. The whole BER project and its delays is such an astonishing example of management that it is hard to believe it happened. I first thought it could only happen in some 3rd world country, but in fact, it couldn't happen in a 3rd world country. In a 3rd world country, the political leadership would simply jail bureaucrats until someone signs off the safety papers and says, go ahead and open the airport, never mind that the fire safety regulations were not followed. But in Germany it was possible to have a) strong-willed politically elected project leaders who think they can waive off the regulations, and b) bureaucrats who still stick to the rules and keep their jobs. What was most surprising was how the opening of this airport was "on track" until almost the last minute. I could imagine that many subprojects were late, but every subproject knew that some other subproject is even more late than they are, so everyone kept reporting "on track and in schedule" trusting that the other part will get the blame. Until the bubble burst. In a way, this affair, although ridiculous, is a compliment to the safety culture and integrity of German bureaucracy, even if it irritates those of us who are squeezed at TXL.

emilsedgh 11y ago
In a 3rd world country, the political leadership would simply jail bureaucrats You have a sweet understanding of third world countries. In a third world country (at least the one I live in) all projects have the same fate. That's the default path a project takes. And that's not due to mismanagement but corruption. Edit: Spelling mistake.
- ptaipale 11y ago
  I had "parse error", but with faith I suppose you mean fate? Well, I was painting with a broad brush, of course. Sorry about that. There are many very different 3rd world countries. Botswana is different from Zimbabwe even if it is not that far away, but generally, in the 3rd world, you can expect delays and that things are mañana or insha'allah. And many countries have autocratic leaders who wouldn't put up with fire regulations delaying an important project. Yes, it might be acceptable that the project is delayed because the material for runway pavement was used to build the road to El Presidente's summer house so he can get there when he wants to avoid Scorchio. But it wouldn't be acceptable that he doesn't get to cut the tape in an opening ceremony because some stupid says the smoke eviction ducts in the terminal are built wrong.
  - emilsedgh 11y ago
    Yes. Sorry, fate is the correct word. I will correct my post now.
Shivetya 11y ago
3rd world or government driven contract, there is not much difference in the stereotypical outcome but I tend to think the 3rd world is much more upfront about expectations. What qualifies however? Would California's dream of high speed rail qualify? It will easily cost more than expected and take way longer. The Big Dig qualified but does metro transit authorities spending 100 to 200 million per new mile of light rail on forever delayed programs count? how many billions have to be wasted before we come to realize there are better options.
JoergR 11y ago
Your racism is showing, and it's ugly. Please tuck it back in.
at-fates-hands 11y ago
This actually happens a lot in high profile architectural projects. Probably more so than most people think: http://architizer.com/blog/architectures-over-budget-hall-of-shame/ http://architizer.com/blog/architectures-over-budget-hall-of... You can also add the very high profile WTC Transportation Hub and the City of Arts and Sciences as well; both Calatrava projects that went way over budget.
- oxalo 11y ago
  I'd be interested to see the opposite of this... a list of high-profile projects that were under budget. Or at least minimally over budget.
  - ptaipale 11y ago
    It is not common but happens sometimes, even in big infra projects. One example is Wilson Bridge. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/03/31/final-wilson-bridge-reconstruction-comes-in-86-million-under-budget/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/03/3... Also, near where I live, the new highway between Helsinki and Lahti was built under budget and exceeding schedule. (No links in English unfortunately.) So it does happen.
  - at-fates-hands 11y ago
    The one that always comes to mind is the Empire State Building. It was built in 410 days, 12 days ahead of schedule and right on budget. I guess the design drawings were produced in two weeks, which is staggering to think about. I'm pretty sure the race for the tallest building at the time probably had something to do with the rate at which they it got it built. They were competing at the time with the Chrysler building for bragging rights as the tallest building and both wanted to get done first.

emilsedgh 11y ago

In a 3rd world country, the political leadership would simply jail bureaucrats You have a sweet understanding of third world countries. In a third world country (at least the one I live in) all projects have the same fate. That's the default path a project takes. And that's not due to mismanagement but corruption. Edit: Spelling mistake.

ptaipale 11y ago
I had "parse error", but with faith I suppose you mean fate? Well, I was painting with a broad brush, of course. Sorry about that. There are many very different 3rd world countries. Botswana is different from Zimbabwe even if it is not that far away, but generally, in the 3rd world, you can expect delays and that things are mañana or insha'allah. And many countries have autocratic leaders who wouldn't put up with fire regulations delaying an important project. Yes, it might be acceptable that the project is delayed because the material for runway pavement was used to build the road to El Presidente's summer house so he can get there when he wants to avoid Scorchio. But it wouldn't be acceptable that he doesn't get to cut the tape in an opening ceremony because some stupid says the smoke eviction ducts in the terminal are built wrong.
- emilsedgh 11y ago
  Yes. Sorry, fate is the correct word. I will correct my post now.

Shivetya 11y ago

3rd world or government driven contract, there is not much difference in the stereotypical outcome but I tend to think the 3rd world is much more upfront about expectations. What qualifies however? Would California's dream of high speed rail qualify? It will easily cost more than expected and take way longer. The Big Dig qualified but does metro transit authorities spending 100 to 200 million per new mile of light rail on forever delayed programs count? how many billions have to be wasted before we come to realize there are better options.

JoergR 11y ago

Your racism is showing, and it's ugly. Please tuck it back in.

at-fates-hands 11y ago

This actually happens a lot in high profile architectural projects. Probably more so than most people think: http://architizer.com/blog/architectures-over-budget-hall-of-shame/ http://architizer.com/blog/architectures-over-budget-hall-of... You can also add the very high profile WTC Transportation Hub and the City of Arts and Sciences as well; both Calatrava projects that went way over budget.

oxalo 11y ago
I'd be interested to see the opposite of this... a list of high-profile projects that were under budget. Or at least minimally over budget.
- ptaipale 11y ago
  It is not common but happens sometimes, even in big infra projects. One example is Wilson Bridge. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/03/31/final-wilson-bridge-reconstruction-comes-in-86-million-under-budget/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/03/3... Also, near where I live, the new highway between Helsinki and Lahti was built under budget and exceeding schedule. (No links in English unfortunately.) So it does happen.
- at-fates-hands 11y ago
  The one that always comes to mind is the Empire State Building. It was built in 410 days, 12 days ahead of schedule and right on budget. I guess the design drawings were produced in two weeks, which is staggering to think about. I'm pretty sure the race for the tallest building at the time probably had something to do with the rate at which they it got it built. They were competing at the time with the Chrysler building for bragging rights as the tallest building and both wanted to get done first.