Making 3G work

This paper describes the set-up and implementation of an operations project office (OPO) within 3 (Hutchison3G UK Limited). The OPO was initiated in July 2002 to become the single focal point for the various development streams transitioning items into operations. 3 elected to go with a turnkey consultancy solution and HIS Consulting was chosen to undertake the following: (1) initiate the OPO; (2) standardise delivery documentation; (3) create working processes to allow effective transition of deliveries to operations; (4) complete the initial tranche of deliveries into operations from the major delivery streams; (5) define an exit strategy and facilitate the handover of the operations project office to 3 permanent staff. This paper sets out to show the benefits of implementing such a group within the operations function, as well as the lessons learnt in ensuring that the underlying 3G technologies and services could transition from the development domains into the operational realm. This paper focuses on the key benefits that this project has delivered.