PLANNING FOR SUCCESS IN
2022
Lessons from the VA In August 2005, New Orleans and many
billion-dollar project was delivered on time and 14% under budget, and it stands today as a model of project management and teamwork. However big or small the projects you need to complete this year, here are some principles from the New Orleans VA that can be applied to any business. INVOLVE YOUR PEOPLE
In a city where many had grown weary of unsuccessful rebuilding efforts, leaders of the hospital project knew they needed everyone’s buy-in to succeed. Through town hall meetings and focus groups, the builders gathered community feedback which influenced many practical design changes. Thanks to input from veterans,
other Gulf cities were devastated by
some of whom require mobility assistance, mirrors
Hurricane Katrina. Wind speeds topped
were installed throughout the hospital at wheelchair-
170 mph, and floodwaters as high as 20
accessible levels. Due to staff input, patient exam rooms were designed with identical layouts throughout the
feet covered 80% of the city. With property
facility, enabling medical and custodial staff to be more
damage exceeding $108 billion, Katrina is
efficient as they moved from room to room.
considered the costliest natural disaster ever to hit the United States.
O
All projects need strong leaders to see them through, but remember to gather knowledge from across your organization to guide your project. Drivers, mechanics, and office admin will all have different insights that
ne of the worst-hit facilities was the New Orleans
can inform your project, making the outcome optimal
VA Hospital. When its basement flooded and
for everyone involved. Gathering this input will have
generators failed, over 800 patients, staff, and family
the added benefit of boosting employee morale, and
members sheltering in the hospital were left stranded.
helping everyone feel involved and valued in the
In a heroic effort led by the Arkansas National Guard,
company.
a convoy worked around the clock for two days to
LEARN FROM THE PAST, PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
evacuate the hospital, including nine ventilator-
Most projects are initiated to address some current
dependent patients. While all patients and staff were
need or problem. In the case of New Orleans, the
safely transported to other hospitals, the damage to the
immediate need was a medical facility to provide care
building was catastrophic. It was quickly determined
to veterans and their families. But builders wanted to
that the entire facility would need to be rebuilt.
make sure this facility would stand for many years to
In the wake of such a terrible disaster, the rebuilding
come. The result of their forward-thinking is considered
of the VA Hospital is considered one of the great
to be one of the most storm-resistant medical facilities
successes in New Orleans’ recovery effort. The 10 year,
in the world. All mission-critical medical equipment,
2 0 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R JA NUA RY 2022
Vi si t Us
