This activity will provide you with an opportunity to engage on a project manage
ID: 390942 • Letter: T
Question
This activity will provide you with an opportunity to engage on a project management topic. The class interaction will foster a learning environment in which you will learn from each other’s experiences and opinions. In addition to that, you will practice using the project management jargon and expressing your opinions in a professional manner. The options available in this discussion have ethical considerations that are important to consider as a project manager.
It is always simplest when a project is able to progress from start to finish with no major modifications but when an issue arises, it is essential that the project manager consider all viable options—the culture of the company, the customer’s tolerance for modification, and the impact any change will have on the quality of the project, and the ability to meet future milestones. The project you are managing for UPI has a major problem that could halt production and impact sales. It was discovered by Lee, your liaison to the Chinese manufacturing company, that the raw material used in the production of the game pieces is not available and will not become available for three months due to the chemical process to create the material that is heated, molded, and pressed.
Lee has learned of another company that has large reserves of a similar material that will respond to the manufacturing process similarly to the original material but it is of inferior chemical composition. When heated, the alternate material off-gases a toxic chemical that could be hazardous to workers. You are assured that the chemical has no residual negative effects of off-gassing and the pieces will pass the chemical analysis when finished. The issues you must decide include all of the proceeding questions:
QESTIONS:
1. Technically, the change in raw material is a change in the scope of the project. Who should you notify, if anyone, and why? Should you make the decision and then alert management or should you wait for someone else to make a determination for how to proceed?
2. The potential for off-gassing is an element that was presented to you for consideration. Does it matter as the manufacturing process is in China and will not affect US workers? What steps or accommodations should be made, if any and why?
3. What do you think your level of due diligence is regarding verification of Lee’s claims that the finished product will comply with US regulations for safety? Please explain.
4. Do you have any alternative suggestions to Lee’s proposal or should you defer to Lee’s opinion considering you are new to the company and new to the team?
Explanation / Answer
i)I should first of all notify the company since it is the one in need of the product and also since they are the ones interested in having it for sale.I would also notify clients and explain the level of impact that the change would bring about in order to avoid accidents in future.This type of communication will ensure that everyone is aware of what they shall be dealing with.I would not make the decision first before consulting therefore I would wait for someone else to determine how to proceed in order to make the move.
ii)The potential for off-gassing was presented for consideration as it provides a risk to the workers.It is therefore important to consider this element so that we will not have to deal with casualties in the end of the process.Though the workers in the US will not be affected,it will also be important to consider the welfare of the workers in China.We could consider offering insurance to them just in case anyone gets affected by the hazard.This will assure them of health safety and they shall be able to perform their tasks without worry.
iii)My level of due diligence would be to ensure that the final product passes through the chemical analysis in order to ensure that it does not present any harm to the end users.I will also ensure that it undergoes proper investigation in order to affirm that it is at per with the US regulations for safety.
iv)Basing on the fact that our initial raw material will be unavailable in the next three months,I would consider Lee's proposal since the material he suggests can act as a substitute in the meantime.His idea will have us avoid losing customers and halting our normal business operations.
KINDLY RATE THE ANSWER AS THUMBS UP. THANKS A LOT.