Peer Responses

Responding to Person 1

Hello,

Thank you for your post. The experience with the Allegiant Stadium project is a case study and asset for large-scale infrastructure programs delivering a balance of safety, workforce diversity, and messaging. With over 200 companies involved, collaboration, coordination, and effective project management are essential. Inclusion in the workforce, with 62% of the workforce being minority and female, aims to follow best practices regarding diversity and inclusion in major construction projects: Peer Responses.

A recordable incident rate of 0.98, well below the national average and industry figure, demonstrates the high value placed on worker safety. With the use of email, meetings, and social media, the stakeholders are kept abreast of developments, but there is always room to improve community engagement. The SoFi stadium in Los Angeles is a real-world example of a similar project focused on sustainability and community engagement (Nelson, 2024). Overall, your analysis demonstrates a good understanding of project management and excellently covers the importance of communication and stakeholder management while working on large projects.

References

Nelson, H. (2024). Stadium shadows: Gentrification, community disruption and urban renewal in Los Angeles. Knowledge UChicago. https://doi.org/10.6082/uchicago.13203

Responding to Person 2

Hello,

Thank you for your post. The California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) project is a significant infrastructure project. However, communication challenges have resulted in diminished public trust in the project, and this has resulted in the slow pace of implementation, as you observed. Misinformation and skepticism have been bred from relying on formal reports rather than interactive engagement methods.

A notable comparison is Brightline West, where proactive stakeholder engagement via social media and forums was emphasized. While the establishment of the Change Control Committee and Business Oversight Committee are indications of increasing transparency, the delayed updates during this crisis and antagonism in messaging are not considered to be in the best interest of consumers.

Community engagement through town hall webinars, decentralized regional engagement teams, and interactive digital tools could increase public awareness and trust (Roberts et al., 2024). One example is the United Kingdom Crossrail project, which improved public engagement through real-time dashboards and community forums. Your attention to stakeholder communication in these large-scale projects is quite well articulated.

References

Roberts, D.-L., Meschewski, E., Johnson, W., Brownstein, S., & Williams, D. (2024). Case study: Community engagement on CCUS in Central Illinois. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5017066

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• Question: Reply to the two persons: Follow-on responses may include personal reflections, support from concepts within the text, sharing personal experiences, or use of real-life company examples

Person 1

Purpose:

The Allegiant Stadium project aimed to create a state-of-the-art venue for the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and to serve as a major entertainment hub in Las Vegas.

Key Activities:

• Over 200 firms collaborated, including engineers, contractors, and vendors.
• Construction of a retractable natural turf field and operable walls with views of the Las Vegas Strip.
• Implementation of safety protocols, achieving a total recordable incident rate of 0.98, significantly lower than the national average.
• Focus on workforce inclusion, with 62% of the workforce being minority and female.

Outcomes:

The stadium was completed 40 months after the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas was approved. It created an estimated 6,000 recurring jobs and provided a significant economic boost to the local community.

Communication Analysis:

Internal stakeholders

1. Project managers: Responsible for overseeing the construction and meeting timelines and budgets.
2. Employees/Construction Workers: engaged in the physical construction of the stadium.

External Stakeholders

1. Local Government: Involved in regulatory approvals and community engagement.
2. Las Vegas Community: Residents and local businesses affected by the stadium’s construction and operation.

Communication Methods:

• Email: Regular updates were likely sent to internal stakeholders to keep them informed about progress and safety protocols.
• Meetings: Frequent meetings among project managers and teams to discuss challenges and coordinate efforts.
• Websites/Social Media: Likely used to keep the public informed and share updates among the community.

Effectiveness

The communication methods used were generally effective, as the project maintained a strong safety record and met its diversity goals. However, there could have been challenges in ensuring all members of the community felt fully informed about the impact of the project.

References:

07/31/2020. (n.d.). Construction of allegiant stadium completed. Mortenson. https://www.mortenson.com/news-insights/allegiant-stadium-complete

12/09/2020. (n.d.). Allegiant Stadium Construction 25M under budget. Mortenson. https://www.mortenson.com/news-insights/allegiant-stadium-construction-25m-under-budget

Kloppenborg, T. J., Anantatmula, V. S., & Wells, K. N. (2023). Contemporary Project Management: Organize, lead, plan, perform. Cengage.

Person 2

California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) Project: Communication Analysis

In my last post I did the California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) project.

It aims to create a fast, efficient, and eco-friendly rail system connecting major cities across California. It seeks to reduce traffic congestion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and provide an alternative to air and car travel. Despite significant milestones, the project has faced delays and budget overruns.

Stakeholders and Communication Methods

Internal Stakeholders

1. CHSRA Executives & Project Managers
   • Methods: Internal reports, executive meetings, project management software.
   • Challenges: Decision-making bottlenecks and budget misalignment slowed progress.
2. Engineers & Construction Teams
   • Methods: Field reports, planning meetings, digital platforms.
   • Challenges: Communication gaps led to technical misunderstandings and delays.

External Stakeholders

1. California Residents & Public
   • Methods: Public hearings, social media, official website, newsletters.
   • Challenges: Some residents felt excluded from key decisions, fueling opposition.
2. Government & Regulatory Bodies
   • Methods: Legislative reports, press releases, direct correspondence.
   • Challenges: Inconsistent reporting and shifting timelines complicated evaluations.

Comparison to Other Projects

Compared to Brightline West, which engaged stakeholders proactively through social media and forums, CHSR has relied more on formal reports and public comment periods, sometimes delaying meaningful engagement.

Office of Communications & Transparency

The CHSRA Office of Communications acts as a bridge between the project and the public, using media, social platforms, and printed materials to ensure transparency. CHSRA also provides project updates, contracts, and financial reports via its Public Records Portal.

Change Orders & Process Improvements

Change orders modify project scope, cost, or completion dates, common in large infrastructure projects. To improve transparency, in September 2021, CHSRA:

• Created a Change Control Committee (CCC) to review orders over $1 million.
• Expanded the Business Oversight Committee’s role.
• Set a $25 million reporting threshold for full Board review.
• Established new documentation standards for accuracy and clarity.

Communication Challenges & Improvements

• Misinformation & Lack of Transparency: Initial cost estimates underestimated actual expenses, leading to public distrust.
• Delayed Updates: Some communities felt uninformed about land acquisitions and displacements.
• Complex Messaging: Technical details often confused the public.
• Inconsistent Statements: Contradictory messages from leadership caused uncertainty.

Suggested Improvements

1. Simplified Messaging: Clear, jargon-free updates.
2. Frequent Updates: Bi-weekly newsletters or real-time project dashboards.
3. Expanded Channels: Town hall webinars, local news segments, and podcasts.
4. Regional Engagement Teams: Small, localized meetings for direct discussions.
5. Interactive Digital Tools: A real-time construction progress map.

Conclusion

Despite efforts to engage stakeholders, communication challenges have fueled skepticism and delays. Strengthening transparency through clearer messaging, consistent updates, and diverse communication channels will help secure public trust and project success.

References:

California High Speed Rail

Reply to Thread

Class textbook:

• Text: Contemporary Project Management: Plan-Driven and Agile Approaches, 5E by Timothy Kloppenborg; Vittal S. Anantatmula; Kathryn Wells [ISBN: 9780357715734].