Assume that you are a project manager at a biotechnology company, working with m
ID: 466604 • Letter: A
Question
Assume that you are a project manager at a biotechnology company, working with managers from research, production, and marketing on a major product modification. You notice that every memo you receive from the marketing manager has been copied to senior management. At every company function, she spends time talking to the big shots. You are also aware that sometimes when you and the other project members are slaving away over the project, she is playing golf with senior managers. What is your evaluation of her behavior? As project manager, what do you do?
Explanation / Answer
The marketing manager's behavior obviously states that by networking with senior management and spending personal time with them , she is finding out easier ways to make herself stand out from others. This is unethical behavior solely being showcased to achieve mileage without contributing directly to the project.
Project management is the management of resources to get the project completed on time. As a project manager, I would take the responsibility to ensure that the people who work sincerely on the project should be recognized. I will discuss the marketing manager's case with other managers and evaluate based on the collective discussion rather than deciding based on my understanding. Hence, it makes sense to initially discuss among the peer group and then let the marketing manager know of the discussion. Based on her response to our discussion and decision, our next action item will depend.