Hey Ana,

It is true that both these projects majorly differ from each other, however I don't
think that the comparison is unfair. It is true that T5 terminal is a much more
complex and a massive project with respect to Boyhood. However, to deal with its
massiveness there was sufficient experienced manpower and project managers having
relevant expertise in respective fields.
I think what our teacher wants us to focus on is the fact that both these projects
had their own unique objectives. The respective project managers were supposed to
accomplish these objectives within the decided time frame and the budget.
Secondly, the entire point of launching a product in the market on a specified date
lies in the fact that the product thus launched should be in its final and finished
form. We can certainly make modifications in it with time and make it better.
However when the final product is launched it should meet the the project
objectives that were decided at the start of the project.
As per Wikipedia, British Airways had to cancel 34 flights and suspend baggage
check-in. Over the following 10 days some 42,000 bags failed to travel with their
owners,and over 500 flights were cancelled. British Airways was not able to operate
its full schedule from Terminal 5 until 8 April 2008. This certainly shows that the
project objectives were not met when the the T5 terminal was launched. This in
itself shows a failure of the project. In lecture 1.5 our teacher clearly states
that it is often thought that a project is successful if within a certain period of
time it provided a certain revenue and if it is still operation. However a truly
successful project will be one thatis on time, on budget and delivers its scope. In
this regard Boyhood succeeded as a project and T5 terminal failed..