Brazil Olympics, a challenging Project?

Dear St'phane,

I do have evidence of the contrary of what you have mentioned: "The political necessities would make it difficult to engage project team members that have previously worked on a Summer Olympics.
I know dozens of professionals working in the Rio 2016 games who have served in two or more games before. Much of the ITC parts are repeatable (CAPGEMINI was involved in the last three games) and the volunteer programme is entirely repeated from one to the other.

In other words, much of programme, project and risk management frameworks apply.

Currently, Brazil is experiencing a major economic and political crisis (one with reflection on the other), so there's a part of the population does not agree with the Olympic Games, understanding that there are other serious problems to be dealt with by the Brazilian Government.

However, the decision of the host city of the Olympic Games takes place several years before, and at that time Brazil was enjoying a much better time economically, and the choice was celebrated.

What many do not realize is that in this time of crisis, the Olympic Games have created, and will still keep for at least for one year more, thousands of jobs, including jobs for project managers.

In addition to the Olympic Games is transforming Rio de Janeiro. A number of development works and urban mobility were forced to be carried out to enable the Olympic Games happen in the city.

I am an enthusiast of major events like this, as they bring positive results, unfortunately, are not always perceived by all.

Moreover, we can not forget the principles of peace and unity among peoples, which are brought by Olympic Games.

Yes, it is definitely positive for Project Managers, but mostly in Rio, whichs is undergoing an economic crisis even worse than the rest of the country because of the crisis in the oil and gas sector. As for the PM profession area I believe/hope it will leave behing a rich pool of lessons learned and best practices. And of course to the city of Rio the change for good is very palpable, and the good thing is that it is spread all around the city instead of concentrade in one specific area.

It really is a great opportunity for Brazil, however at a time nothing appropriate. The country is going through a time of crisis in various aspects and a complex project like this requires not only a challenge because of the difficulty of communication, planning and risks, but to see that the olympic project has been more prioritized that education and health Brazil.

Dear George,

According to literature and best practices, Olympic Games is considered a complex multi-stakeholder programme.
Ever since we applied to host the games I am following its consequences in our PM community as well as Brazilian economy. And more so, now that I am a volunteer for the games as International Olympics Family Assistant. I will serve probably the head of Iranian delegation based on my background.

On the positive upside effects, the games are responsible for lower unemployment rates as well as lower impact of the recession. The infrastructure legacy is huge and the benefits started to be realized by the population as the mobility assets and some stadia became available. Rio has been entirely transformed and the legacy will last for decades.

On the downside, the political and economic crises have reduced a part of the glamour and pride of hosting the games. Zica out burst and persistent criminality rates are a concern. The authorities did not solve the environmental issues.

but, overall I am confident that The Games will be a success, and already we have lots of project and risk management related lessons learned.