In Connico's latest Word on the Runway segment, Chrysalis Global Managing Partner Suzanne Phelps shares why operational readiness is what separates successful airport projects from those that struggle.
Chrysalis Global Managing Partner Suzanne Phelps was recently featured in Connico's Word on the Runway series, joining aviation industry leaders in a discussion of what separates successful airport projects from those that struggle.
In the latest installment, Connico asked peers across the aviation sector a straightforward question: what separates a successful airport project from one that struggles? Responses covered stakeholder alignment, planning and training, communication, and leadership. Phelps's contribution centered on a factor that Chrysalis sees again and again on complex airport programs: operational readiness.
"Airports have been delivering construction projects for a long time, and they have the fundamentals down. They know how to hire architects, engineers, construction managers, and other project partners. Those elements are well understood and well honed. What we have found, though, is that the main difference between a successful airport project and one that is less successful is the focus on operational readiness.
There is often an intense focus on whether a facility is technically complete: Is construction done? Are the systems installed? There is not always the same focus on whether the facility is operationally capable. Are people able to navigate the new environment? Do they know how to use the new systems? Can passengers understand the wayfinding signage? The discipline that undergirds this work is called ORAT, which stands for operational readiness, activation, and transition. Broadly speaking, it ensures all people, processes, tools, and technologies are aligned and prepared for operating in the new environment."
This perspective reflects a core Chrysalis belief: a facility can be built on time and on budget and still fall short if the people, processes, and systems needed for day-one operations are not ready. ORAT closes that gap by treating operational capability and efficiency as an ongoing project management standard.
The full Connico piece, including insights from leaders at C&S Companies, AECOM, Swinerton, and others, is available here.
Chrysalis Global provides solutions across multiple industries, including aviation, sports/entertainment, technology/manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and nonprofit/government. Learn more here.
For more information about Chrysalis Global Aviation's work, visit chrysalisglobal.com/aviation.
