Systematic biases

that led to the

sinking of the RMS
Titanic

OPIM 5270
Introduction to Project Management



Team Members:
Elliot Hayden
Srikanth Tirumalaraju
Venkata Vijayanarayana Varanasi
Aakash Hongal
Qin Su
Vijayaraghava Kattamudi

Top Risks (max. 5)
1. Competing demands on the time and resources of team members may
prevent timely completion of the project
2. Collective skillset of the team may be insufficient for the successful
completion of the project
3. Inclement weather may prevent team members from timely completing
the project
4. Insufficient research on systematic biases may prevent the team from
delivering a thoroughly researched report
2
Systemic biases that led to the sinking of the
RMS Titanic
Case for change / Problem Statement
The RMS Titanic sunk because of a number of systematic
biases, most notably overconfidence on the part of the project
management team. A better understanding of these biases is
needed to ensure that similar disasters are averted in the future.
Objectives / Goal statements
Identify and examine the systematic biases that led to the sinking of
the RMS Titanic with a focus on uncovering all possible major systematic
biases.
Deliver an analysis report on the systematic biases leading to the
failure of the project, RMS Titanic.
In Scope Out of Scope
External factors (such as weather)
leading to the sinking of the Titanic
Actions taken based on the
systematic biases of the project
management team that contributed
to the failure of the project.
Available technology and expertise
at the time of the project
Suggestive steps for eliminating of
biases
Loss of human life and valuable
property and Cost of failure
Project Costs (USD)
Total: 3250 USD Internal: 60 man hours @ 50
USD / hr = 3000 USD
External: 250 USD
Project Benefits
NPV: N/A IRR: N/A Break Even: N/A
Indirect Benefits: Better understanding of biases that may occur in a
project, successful completion of the course
Constraint Matrix
MOST SOME LEAST
SCOPE X
TIME X
COST X
Systemic biases that led to the sinking of the
RMS Titanic
3
Incoming Dependency Outgoing Dependency
Titanic Disaster Reports and
Knowledge of Various tools
Deliverables & Milestones (High Level Milestone Plan)
Project Start Date: 2.4.14 Project End Date: 4.29.14
Key Deliverable Milestone Name (MN) Planned MS Date
Submit Topic to Prof. Topic Accepted by Prof. 2.4.14
Project Charter Charter Submission 3.4.14
GANTT Chart GANNT Chart
Submission
3.11.14
Work Breakdown
Structure (WBS)
WBS Submission 3.11.14
FMEA FMEA Submission 3.25.14
Final Project Report Final Project Report
Submission
4.28.14
Final Project
Presentation
Final Project
Presentation delivered
4.29.14
Signoff
Role Signature Date
Sponsor Michael Van Dusen 3.4.14
PSB Member Michael Van Dusen 3.4.14
PSB Member
PSB Member
PSB Member
PSB Member
Beneficiary Class of 5270 3.4.14
Beneficiary International Chamber of
Shipping
3.4.14
Project Organization
Sponsor Michael Van Dusen
PSB Members Michael Van Dusen and Class of 5270
Project Manager Qin Su
Workstream Leaders
Team Members Elliot Hayden, Srikanth Tirumalaraju, Aakash
Hongal, Venkata Vijayanarayana Varanasi,
Vijayaraghava Kattamudi