Describe the major mistakes made by Corwin? 1.2 Should Corwin have accepted the assignment? Explain. 1.3 Should companies risk bidding on projects based upon rough draft specifications? Justify your...

Question 1
Ans.1.1 The major mistake done by Corwin is the acceptance of the The Peterson Company
Project without acknowledging the complete specification of projects and comparative
assessment of the Research and Development department capabilities. Although it was well
known that Peterson is hard to convince like customer and company’s own R&D department was
not optimized to the level that it can fulfill the requirements of such R&D based project, even
though Corwin has accepted such big project. Secondly excessive liberty was provided to the
Peterson Company’s in-house representative Pat Ray, to modify and redirect the test matrix,
examine the actual tests at the floor and induce lab people to follow his orders, which ultimately
has ruined the overall scheduling and project accomplishment efforts.
Due to his active interference project leader Dan West felt compelled to deviate from
projected and scheduled project plan. He didn’t get a real opportunity to show his potential. Also
as in such big project active involvement of upper management and experienced people seems
necessary but this point has been significantly ignored by the company and experienced upper
management people have only played the role of an observer than that of active supporter in the
project. These are certain mistakes done by Corwin in acceptance and active accomplishment of
the accepted project.
Ans.1.2 Considering the actual potential of Corwin Company and past history of the client it
seems that acceptance of this project was a mistake from Corwin’s end and it should have to be
ejected from the very beginning stage. Corwin has not got complete specification details and
ample time to assess their capabilities which are very significant factor from perspective deal
finalization. In the absence of the actual specification it would be hard to justify the match or
deviation from the expected outcome. Internal capabilities are also not efficient to match the
project requirements, as R&D group of Corwin is less optimized and acts as the support function
to main operations, in the form of evaluation of the state of the art technology and its
implementation in existing product lines.
Ans.1.3 In consideration to the project based on rough specification it seems that Corwin has
isked it as actual specification level in the unknown which restricts the actual assessment of the
project staff support and material requirements. As the company has a small R&D team while the
project was totally R&D based thus it was risky to accept such project without having complete
details of expected project specifications. Rough draft specifications fails to provide
comprehensive and minute details thus it poses risks in the actual assessment of test results,
allocation of optimized resources and accomplishment of task in its desired state.
Ans.1.4 In such situation when the company has very short proposal preparation time, it seems
vital that top management should be actively engaged in that. Involvement of experienced and
authorized people helps in making effective and optimized decisions on cost assessment, pricing,
esource allocation and project
iefing specifications. In general scenarios lower management or
middle management people are considered to be less prone to handle such situation because of
limited exposure, however top management people contains vast experience about such concerns
thus the active involvement of top management enhances the optimality of bid acceptance and
minimizes the e
ors or mistakes in cost and profits assessments.
Ans.1.5 As most of the employees, and even the President and Vice President manufacturing,
were going on vacations so due to such they are not available to provide their input for the bid or
no bid decision. Although the basic specification of the project suggests that it is R&D based
project thus the basic input should have been acquired from R&D department director and Vice
President Engineering, of which only Vice President engineering was present. Although the
presence of Vice President manufacturing was not that much crucial but if he would have been
present at the bid or no bid situation, team may have an additional benefit in terms of his input on
cost and price fixation and appropriate allocation of the resources. As most of the proposal team
staff was inexperienced of such situation and have limited exposure, thus the presence of Vice
President Manufacturing may help in taking much appropriate project related decisions.
Ans.1.6 Although Dick Potts was placed in the proposal preparing team as contracts man, but as
he is completely unfamiliar with such type efforts so he has decided to play the role of observer
and provided his inputs in the form of legal advices, whenever necessary. Potts has allowed
Royce and West to take all decisions regarding project accomplishment and draft preparation. He
has kept himself isolated from overall proceedings and played a nominal role in draft
preparation.
Ans.1.7 Project leader has an integral role in overall project management and accomplishment of
tasks as per the discretion of the client or organizational objectives. In order to achieve the same
it is necessary that project leader should be experienced and have ample exposure to such type
project handling. In case of Dan West, it seems the Dr, Reddy was not much assured about his
ability to manage projects, as his expertise was in managing internal projects and he does not
possess much exposure and experience in handling external projects.
As according to the situation no other option was available and also West has shown
significant consideration towards project thus other executives are quite assured about his ability
to manage the situation. Other executives were also convinced with the Dr. Reddy’s conviction
that he will support West in effective handling of the project. Other Executives were also
eluctant that R&D director Mr. Reddy would engage himself in new projects and do not get
time to look at regular and pending projects of the Corwin. Thus they have decided to go safe
side and appointed West as project leader.
Ans.1.8 Although line managers are not expected to provide any beneficial input on proposal
activity, but their update to information regarding proposal activity is considered to be vital, as
on the basis of that proposal activity information they can plan their support schedule and
manage the necessary operational activities. If line managers are informed in advance they can
plan the allocation of resources and manpower to support the project activities without
hampering their routine operational jobs.
Ans.1.9 Although Dr. Reddy was not convinced with the project management capabilities of
West and assured management that he will continue providing his best possible supervision and
support to West in handling the project efficiently. However, when the go-ahead for the project
has been given he decided to remain in the background and didn’t take an active interest in the
project. He has asked West to manage it solely and keep him informed through short informal
notes, not to provide detailed description of the project proceeding and the situational analysis
eports. Through this attitude of Dr. Reddy it seems that he is not willing to provide ample
support to the project leader Dan West and is just willing to observe everything being performed
y West, without active involvement of himself.
Ans.1.10 In that situation Dan West can decide to consult with Mr. Reddy and Vice President
and may call for a small meeting where this issue should have been discussed. In that meeting he
can discuss the Ray’s opinion about test data and his inducement to redirect the test process,
through this he may have got necessary input from top management to control the situation.
Through the support of upper management he can also pressurize Ray to accept his method of
project management and testing rather than making any redirections.
Ans.1.11 In response to the Ray’s remark West should have to keep his point that test results are
not...