Strategic Planning: An Imperative often overlooked

The Synopsis:

The much hyped Bangalore International Airport (BIA) has been operational for about a week now. For the last 6 months it has been in the thick of news. First the industry captains’ call for infrastructure and connectivity. Inspired, frequent flyers were vocal of their needs. There was a tug-of-war and some people or groups trying to make mileage of this. Without enumerating further, I think I have already made my point. Lack of fore-sight. It is so commonplace for people to operate in silos. It naturally supports minding own’s business. Even professionals do that. Corporates are but run by individuals, and how could they be exceptions? Is this not self-centric? Who pays for this? Siloed approach couldn’t be more telling.

If the citizens’ interests were not represented adequately in the decision making – is this not failure of a system?

Impact: 

1. Backlash. There is material impact on the credibility and reliability of the parties involved.
2. Rework. Whichever the agency, there is an extent of rework that costs the exchequer additional funds
3. Business repercussions could include relocation of business infrastructure, or revoke any commitment for newer investment.
4. Cascading impact on employability, real estate price, regional development etc.

Analysis & Recommendations:

What I am worried about is a bigger problem. Not many are learning from this episode. I see a strong need for building a business case about this. Any project of likewise size, scale or impact must be evaluated for a comprehensive ease of use. A civil amenity – complex as that of an airport, or a new residential or commercial facility must as well be reviewed for similar capability. A few aspects that are hence of importance are the following.

1. Develop a framework for governance. Ideally it needs to be solidly representated by ’stakeholders’.
2. Optionally prepare checklists for different classes of amenities.
3. Review the framework, and checklists periodically. Shuffle the team at regular intervals.
4. Hold citizen forums and seek/ review feedbacks.
5. Benchmark against practices and organizations globally.
6. Prepare a robust footprint which is well rounded and addresses not only the object (BIA in case in point) but about the eco-system about it.
7. An outlay needs to be in place assuming period of service; for reasons of convenience and practice, it could be 20 years.
8. A statutory body with adequate authority be formed and leadership be appointed through a thoroughly professional approach.

Failing to plan is planning to fail; there could be many more examples. But in contemporary India, this is a classic case. A consultant, by profession, I am wondering if this isn’t a rich business case to justify a new tailored practice!

In Orissa, it’s pouring investments

Observers say, in this land it doesn’t rain; it pours.  For the hopefuls in Orissa, the onset of monsoons is still at least 2 weeks off.  But defying the met department, the doyens of the industry have continued their splurge. The investment climate hasn’t been different.

Close on heels the news of Raheja’s led PPP initiative, Infosys has requested the state for 50 acres of land for developing an SEZ. Through investment of INR 500 crore, the IT giant is keen to generate employment of further 5000. Taking the cue, renowned Healthcare entrepreneur and cardio-surgeon, Dr. Devi Shetty has expressed interest in setting up a 1000 bed facility in Bhubaneswar. Contingent Staffing and Training organization, Team Lease is keen to strike roots in the booming city.

In a separate development Aditya Birla plans to invest INR 80,000 Crores into the state across their business portfolio. On side notes, the Tatas intend to start construction at 6MTPA Kalinganagar plat in the next couple of months.

Bhubaneswar Arrived

Bhubaneswar is the next big destination for the Technology powerhouses, and if reports are to be believed it already is second only to Chennai on the rate of appreciation of real estate price. The grapevine has it that IBM and Accenture have already started engaging for starting a facility there. The latest in the series of developments is the state’s commitment in the PPP initiative with the Raheja’s.

This is certainly a landmark for Orissa and inspiration for anyone who is already bit by the entrepreneurial bug, especially the Odiya diaspora. The investment climate in Orissa has certainly changed trajectory with the state’s purported policies. With a single window clearance mechanism Team Orissa is clearly vies to be a trendsetter.

For those of you, who want to mint some money on real estate, looks like the opportunity has arrived.

IPTV Coming

I chanced on some advert on IPTV. Reliance has already started the service in Mumbai, and will shortly start the service in other cities. This service is different from the Big TV (which is in the DTH segment and pitched against Dish, Tata Sky). They charge INR 6500 and INR 3000 respectively as initial costs for set top box, based on whether you wanted recording option (supports up to 80GB of recording). The rental is INR 350 p.m. (for 100 channels). At these costs looks like it is slightly overpriced – considering especially that the total cost will also include the cost of broadband service (which has to be Reliance B/B service).

 

But in case you are a discerning audience and wouldn’t mind paying a few thousands a year – for a lifestyle experience to match the LCD/ Plasma hardware – watch this space for more!

 

Ask me what I would settle for – a simple solution from a signle vendor for all my ICE needs for a competitive price. I also see that there would inter-operability between the platform and services – watch Reliance IPTV Programs over Airtel Broadband – for example. I see we are getting there; maybe Reliance will be pioneers. I would also put my money for Mittal.

 

Until IPTV is around you and me have no choice but to keep ‘Wish’ing!

Will the Bangalore City Planners Stand up?

While thinking through the baggage of issues around Bangalore International Airport, a thought crossed my mind. I assess, if implemented this may reduce Bangaloreans’ woes, even if it is a tad extent.  

After the high dramma, the city is gradually coming to terms with living without HAL Airport. The kick-off of BIAL was received with confused feeling  - mix of grandeur and frustration. Yesterday, I was on the road from Mekhri Circle to Ramanamaharishi Road (Road you’d take from Le Meridien towards Hebbal/ Mekhri Circle). I noticed the new fly-over at the BDA Junction. There was a grid-locked traffic at the newly commissioned underpass. Having been through that I was challenged by the narrow road through which traffic plies by. Further there was another point where you need to take a U-Turn above an under-pass – I guess its called Kaveri Theatre underpass. It became worse with the downpours.

 

I see this stretch is a key link to the BIAL, Devnahalli for many. Once you are exposed to these bottlenecks, your catching a flight would be entirely at bthe mercy of the traffic and the sanity of other drivers. The situation isn’t much different on other roads.

 

With BBMP’s attempt to provide frequent bus services, it would address – the need for public transport. But the challenge cited above will hardly be addressed. (Many people with a car will still opt to park their vehicles at the airport; I suspect that would congest the 2000+ parking slots in the first  day itself. The High Speed Rail Link is at least 3 years away. That will only have a link from M G Road to Devnahalli. That will not answer the need for linkages from other parts of the City, say East or South Bangalore.

 

While the BBMP’s attempts, City Planners’ efforts, State Infrastructure departments is laudable – pending the quality solution, it’d be a wise to explore existing infrastructure. Even if it may not be an ideal solution, it’d be still a good interim option. It certainly can’t match up with a High Speed Link, but it can serve two purposes

1. Offer another option to commuters, and help decongest the city traffic
2. Be a predictable option – and very often beat the service level of BBMP Volvo buses.

In fact while I was searching up for distance of Devnahalli Airport from Devnahalli Railway Station (or the nearest railhead), I came across the a post by ‘Raja’ (Titled “Karnataka ignores low-cost connectivity to new airport “) http://indianrailways.informe.com/forum/rail-connectivity-to-new-airports-at-sbc-hyb-mas-dt370-15.html which has a detailed report. I think it requires a bigger group of Citizens-State Administration-City Admin-Railways to review/revisit the option.

 

I am sure that there can be a well-rounded approach whereby people can have multiple options to pick from. Most importantly we need a proactive future proof solution which addresses scalability.

Jindal running

It’s interesting to go through Indian media being obsessed by ‘Jindal running’. Very often the family name lays a strong basis for us to connect. And this (Jindal running for Vice President job) is no exception. Any of us couldn’t have missed the extensive coverage of at least one of the following – Indira Nooyi, Vikram Pandit, Arun Sarin, Shantanu Narayen, L N Mittal, Amar G. Bose and Surya Mohapatra. The fact that they have accomplished can not be contested; what is – is the undue credit to the origin. Often, as things unfold – things are counter-intuitive: they sometimes shockingly have a different origin!

 

It is observed that people have a habit of attaching importance to origin, faith, culture, language etc. while voicing our opinions and preferences. After going through the discussion threads – it is imperative to introspect that. The observed pattern often compels looking through a filter. 

 

http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/may/12tps.htm

http://donklephant.com/2008/05/23/who-is-bobby-jindal/

 

May a broader sense prevail!