Reference no: EM132172516

Techstar is a company that specializes in manufacturing materials and components for the aviation industry on a global scale. The Techstar product innovation team is introducing a new product in the next couple of weeks that is proposed to be more lightweight and aerodynamic than what is currently used in the manufacturing of commercial aircraft. If successful, this new product will result in safer and more fuel efficient aircraft. This product uses patented, state-of-the-art technology along with a unique specialty material. A trial run is required before your team can demonstrate the product using a prototype before a major client.

As project leader, you know that time is critical. Because a major competitor is launching a similar product, the demonstration of your product for the major client must be scheduled soon. However, to accomplish the trial run, the team needs the expertise of four technicians from one of Techstar’s branch research sites out of state, who would have to be flown in to your main corporate headquarters at a substantial expense. Your product launch (and reputation as an effective leader) is dependent on strict compliance to budget and launching the product on time.

Today is Thursday. The four technicians are flying in this Sunday for the trial run on Monday. The client is anticipating that the demonstration will occur before the end of next week, and they are awaiting your email confirmation for the day in order to make their travel arrangements to your corporate headquarters.

You’ve just learned that the two team members responsible for ordering the unique specialty material have not ordered a sufficient quantity for the trial run, only enough for the prototype demonstration for the client. A rush order of the material will significantly impact your budget, but it is guaranteed to arrive by Monday in time for the technicians who are flying in for the trial run.

For discussion - Let's consider the following questions as we analyze this dilemma:

Develop a problem statement.   What is the main problem? Are there multiple problems, and if so, how can they be prioritized?

What is the best decision making approach, the project leader deciding alone or with input from others? If you involve others, who?

What are possible alternatives to resolving the problem?

What are possible consequences for rescheduling the trial run? What are possible consequences for not rescheduling the trial run?

List, in rank order of importance, the situational factors that the project leader must take into consideration during the decision making process.  

In your opinion, is there any flexibility to negotiate with any of the key players involved (e.g., technicians, finance decision makers, the client, suppliers) so that everyone benefits, including yourself as the project leader?

Participation credit in the weekly discussions will be based on the following structure:

Quantity:

Each student must make a minimum of three posts for each discussion – one initial post that answers the question(s) presented by the professor, and two replies to posts made by your peers. The initial post must be approximately 200-250 words in length and made by Friday evening.