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Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

istderberschonfertig.de

21–30 of 48 posts

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#21
post #7

As an explanation for non-germans: Berlin is supposed to get a new airport, the BER, but the project is massively mismanaged, and already way over schedule and budget. Recently, for the first time, a schedule for completion has been released. This site provides a way to track the progress made on this schedule.

Actually, not for the first time? But this time it might be believable.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#22

For those that are not aware, the delays regarding the Berlin Airport are a running joke by now. And to add insult to injury, there are estimations that the new airport may already be too small to handle the projected number of flights to and from Berlin. Just like the Therac-25[1] is used a a case study for proper software engineering, I'm positive the BER will be taught in engineering schools as a cautionary tale o…

Was it an engineering problem? Why would you teach this in engineering school? Looks like the project was hopelessly mismanagement, so likely above the heads of the engineers.

Anyone on a project should be able to "pull the cord" [1] and call out project risks.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andon_%28manufacturing%29

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#23

For those that are not aware, the delays regarding the Berlin Airport are a running joke by now. And to add insult to injury, there are estimations that the new airport may already be too small to handle the projected number of flights to and from Berlin. Just like the Therac-25[1] is used a a case study for proper software engineering, I'm positive the BER will be taught in engineering schools as a cautionary tale o…

Was it an engineering problem? Why would you teach this in engineering school? Looks like the project was hopelessly mismanagement, so likely above the heads of the engineers.

It's a management problem, but managers are eventually recruited from engineers. Or should be. In this case, it apparently were not so (the drastic wrong decisions in project management were taken by politicians who ignored engineers).

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#24

For those that are not aware, the delays regarding the Berlin Airport are a running joke by now. And to add insult to injury, there are estimations that the new airport may already be too small to handle the projected number of flights to and from Berlin. Just like the Therac-25[1] is used a a case study for proper software engineering, I'm positive the BER will be taught in engineering schools as a cautionary tale o…

Was it an engineering problem? Why would you teach this in engineering school? Looks like the project was hopelessly mismanagement, so likely above the heads of the engineers.

Engineers are often taught some degree of project management in school. Beyond the cynical reasons for offering/requiring this stuff, there are a few possible benefits:

a) Engineering school normally requires some degree of (relatively) long-term project work (like a final year project) where some aspects of project management is useful b) Even in a work environment, it's often useful to understand whats going on (note, not expert) on at least a level above and below you. c) Understanding signs of project mismanagement is useful in itself so you can run away d) A lot of traditional engineers will walk a career path that will transition them to something akin to project management. Having some background is useful (but not sufficient obviously). e) In a sufficiently small environment (think startup) your engineers are often dual hatted into project management to some degree.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#25
post #14
post #2

Wasn't that airport supposed to be open in 2010?

yes, currently it is 1096 days too late. and counting.

Washington, DC has been working on relaunching trolley car service since 2004. I think it was originally scheduled to be completely in 2008. It's still not open for service and there's a small but vocal number of people who think we should just pull the plug on even bothering. Infrastructure is hard, I guess.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#26
So they built the terminals with a novel smoke extraction system where the smoke extraction vents were placed on the floor rather than the ceiling, upon the final fire safety inspection the buildings didn't pass and given the complete integration of the system with the structure the only realistic option was to pretty much rip them down and start again.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#27
post #9

I thought Berlin has many airports (I remember Tegel and the other one). So this is another new one ? If yes, why is there a need for a new one :) For example Frankfurt has only one and it's capable much more than Berlin, because it's also a Hub for Lufthansa.

They want Berlin to be a hub. There are no direct flights from Berlin to SF or LA at the moment for instance.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#28
post #3

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…

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...

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.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

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 fir…

Yes. Sorry, fate is the correct word. I will correct my post now.

Re: Is the Berlin Airport ready yet?

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What new one may I ask? Tegel - "New" West Berlin one - not big enough Tempelhof - "Old" West Berlin (Airlift airport) - closed Schonefeld - Soviet built crap. BER is being built next to it

>> Schonefeld I was there recently and it was fine. It wasn't one of the best airports I've been to but no particular issues and decent transport links to the city.

"but no particular issues"

You mean besides the lack of sitting space at the gates like in every other decent airport?

The need to go through an x-ray with all you luggage because of lack of space?

Sure, the train link is good, but you can get to TXL by bus (though slightly trickier)

So, no, a lot of 3rd world country airports are better than SXF

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