member of IT team at PC overlooking stadium

The IT testing lab for the Olympic Games overlooks the "bird's nest" stadium

Fixed deadlines will present unique challenge to the Game's technology teams

Working to an unmoveable deadline promotes motivation in big IT projects, says Olympics IT supplier

Written by Janie Davies

Computing, 08 May 2008

The main challenge associated with delivering the world’s largest sports-related IT contract providing the systems for the Olympic Games is working with an unmoveable date, time and place.

And the Beijing Games throws in unique challenges because the systems give the same level of service for each of the seven Chinese cities hosting competitions.
The IT team has 4,000 staff working across more than 70 venues, serving 302 events in 28 sports.

Major preparatory tasks include processing 200,000 accreditations, which manage the provisions and restrictions of participants, accurately representing official qualifying times and organising medical information.

Atos Origin, the worldwide IT partner of the Olympic Games, has been working on the technology for Beijing 2008 since November 2004 and finalised the systems architecture in June 2007.

Effective risk management, smooth integration and discipline are deemed the secrets of success. Atos must manage a diverse workforce over a long time and build a seamless system by integrating the setups of its subcontractors.

And managers have had to be strict with all deadlines for changes and new requirements, because with only 92 days left, the cut-off point for adaptations looms.

Discipline and motivation are key with a rigid deadline, said Patrick Adiba, Atos Origin’s executive vice president of Olympics and major events.

“We have to strike a balance between being disciplined and open minded,” he said.

“It is more difficult to align people at the start, when you explain that things must be done now, with four years left."

“But you have no excuses you have to be there.”

Volunteers working on functions such as printing and data entry comprise about a quarter of the IT team, which is derived from some 40 nationalities.

“The project brings together different cultures and ways of working so it can be challenging to work as one team,” said Jeremy Hore, chief integrator for the project at Atos Origin.

“Experience is important in people, but also in the processes being brought forward.”