Reference no: EM133092399

Case Study - Background Information

This case study deals with an example of a workplace project and the range of negotiations related to the project.

Maria has been appointed as Project Manager.  Her task is to introduce a new computer system and software into all work areas in a warehouse distribution company that comprises 20 production workers, 5 office staff and 4 managers.

Her primary aim is to ensure the successful installation and acceptance of the new computers by the staff and to inform staff of the changes that would happen and the process that would result from these changes. She has been given six months within which to complete the project and funds to run a range of training sessions to meet staff needs.

Already there have been rumours that most the staff are fearful of what these changes will mean. Some fear loss of jobs, while others are reluctant to change a system that for them has been working so well. 

Some of the stages that she will have to manage include:

• informing staff of the new computer system
• establishing time lines for the project such as:
• when the equipment will be installed
• when the staff will start using it
• organising appropriate training in response to the staff needs, the expectations of the boss and the funds available

Maria will need to negotiate to achieve an agreed outcome between herself and the staff.

She will need to negotiate with two main groups:

• office workers who include the secretaries and
• production workers, some of whom have literacy needs

Finally Maria will need to evaluate the success of the negotiation. Explain how she should do this.