CUSTOMER: Nationwide Telecommunications Service Provider

PROGRAM: Rollout of Nationwide Wireless Network Infrastructure

BUDGET: Appoximately $2B  

This major wireless telecommunications service provider is currently utilizing ProgramScope and our associated methodology to rollout a network of over 18,000 cellular tower sites.  Their average site buildout cost is less than half the industry average.  A key to their success can be attributed to an attitude that their program management team summarize in favorite two catch phrases - "If it's not it ProgramScope it does not exist" and "What gets measured gets done".

Rolling out a nationwide wireless network is a complex undertaking characterized by a challenging set of tasks performed by geographically dispersed teams of business and technical specialists.  Telecommunications companies have traditionally relied upon a general contractor to provide overall program oversight.  These general contactors, in turn, rely upon regional and even local subcontractors.  As can be imagined, this multi-level management structure incurs significant overhead and frequently slows progress as reviews and approvals must trickle their way upstream.  Our customer has largely eliminated these redundant layers of management through the use of ProgramScope.

When an area is identified where a cellular site needs to be located, corporate program management initiates a work order and assigns it to a subcontractor.  A ProgramScope "workplan template" creates a complete set of task assignments and milestones that exactly define project activities and schedule when they must be completed.  Role-based status reporting screens, accessed via a web client, allow each project participant to update project plans with their specific input and status information.  ProgramScope reporting provides a detail rollup of project activities including which milestones have been completed and which are at risk. ProgramScope allows program management to drill down on specific performance metrics and determine how well objectives are being delivered to plan.

Integration of ProgramScope with the finance and accounting applications have made it possible to align major project milestones with payment events.  This provides positive incentive for vendors and subcontractors to make timely updates to ProgramScope with regard to project status information and documentation necessary to substantiate task completion.

Through reduction in management overhead and improvement in operation efficiencies this telecommunications leader has been able to significantly reduce program costs and accelerate time to market in this highly competitive industry where gaining marketshare frequently hinges upon being the first player to market.