THE BEST PATH FORWARD
In addition to keeping projects strategically aligned,
business-case templates can bring cost-saving
opportunities into the light. For instance, on a
recent runway lighting renovation project at the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in
Avoca, Pennsylvania, USA, the formal business-case
development process helped Mr. Watson’s team
find a more affordable way to meet the organization’s strategic goals.
The runway lighting system had been placed out of
service because it failed to meet federal safety codes—
reducing the minimum number of planes that could
land during bad weather. Based on the deterioration
and age of the system, the team believed the standard
solution would be to replace the entire runway lighting system. This would have cost the airport between
US$8 million and US$10 million.
Yet, bringing together a group of experts to cre-
ate the business case allowed the team to vet pos-
sible alternatives and select one that best met the
financial, regulatory, quality and economic needs
of the airport and its customers. By repairing the
components that needed minimal work and using
advanced technology to redesign the remaining
runway lighting system, the project team cut the
final cost to just US$3 million. The first phase of
the project, which restored the lighting system for
primary operations, was completed in 2014. The
second phase, which will add new lighting system
capabilities, is scheduled to be finished in Septem-
ber 2016.
“Because of our sound process and the level of
the expertise within that group, we were able to
come up with a solution that solved this problem
and had the system operational before the winter
months. And we did so for one-third of the original
estimate,” Mr. Watson says. PM
“It’s amazing
how differently
everyone views
the project
when you
have a strong
business-case
process in
place.”
—Ken Watson, PMP
