Case Study: Operational Plan Development
US Open Tennis 2006/2007

Challenge
Development of a comprehensive operating plan for a World Class sporting event, integrating all affected external agencies and contractors into a new complete structure to be implemented at all future tournaments.

Introduction
The US Tennis Open Executive Management team recognized that due to constant changing factors of their event, they need a more structured adaptable operating plan to ensure the tournament is consistently at the cutting edge of Global Sporting Events. They required their plan to ensure that there were streamlined effective operational procedures in place for the internal USTA team, while it had to also ensure the adaptability for their external support agencies and contractors operations. The process had to be comprehensive enough that all affected parties could see the benefit for all within the new planning structure to sign off on it, thus providing complete transparent operations, for USTA Executive Management to strategically manage.

Stakeholders
United States Tennis Association, National Tennis Center Executive Management, NYPD, FDNY, City of New York, Major Event Sponsors, Broadcast and Media, World’s top tennis players, spectators, MTA and State of New York

Strategy/Process
The Rhiannon Group aided the existing Executive Management operation for 5 weeks over the 2006 US Open. During this time we evaluated the individual departmental plans for all affected stakeholders, both internal to the USTA and external, while aiding the Management processes and directing operations in the USTA Command Center. This enabled first hand experience and knowledge of the USTA operations and accurate evaluation of what working effectively and what was not. Post event the Rhiannon Group delivered its educated findings to the USTA Executive Management team, outlining to them where their operational plans needed improvement.

Result/Conclusion
The re-composing of the operational plans and structures of the US Open has provided more efficiencies and accountability at all levels of operations. Command, Control and Communications procedures have been streamlined throughout the organization. The Rhiannon group has been commended in creating an adaptable plan that will grow and accommodate the necessities of the organization as it annually grows in stature and physical operations. A key feature of the plan has been the consolidation of services and the removal of operational overlaps for both the year round on site team, as well as the large numbers of external contractors. The new plan and approach creates a level of clarity and reliability amongst the on site team, reducing the time, resources and efforts that have been wasted in the past.