Ad High Tech
Kellogg students Derek Yung and Alex Gershbeyn prepared this case under the supervision of Professor Mark Jeffery as the basis of class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective project management. Some facts within the case have been altered for confidentiality reasons.
A&D High Tech Case A: Managing Projects For Success
OVERVIEW Chris Johnson arrived at the A&D High Tech headquarters in Cupertino, California to attend a meeting with his senior managers. It was early May and the previous months had been long and difficult for him. He had just led a project team that successfully revamped the supply chain systems in less than six months. He was especially proud since many inside observers had doubts that the project could be completed on time. As part of the strategic initiatives set forth by its CEO and Founder, Ted Walter, A&D was to be second-to-none in utilizing technology to increase operational efficiency and reduce cost. The supply chain project therefore received notable attention in the boardroom and with its competitors. After a well-deserved vacation, Johnson received an urgent message from the CIO, Matt Webb. He asked Johnson to join him for a meeting to discuss taking over the on-line store project. Johnson realized that the company’s top brass had ignored the Internet until recently. As Webb explained, the VP of Sales had advised Walter that A&D was losing its competitive advantage by not selling on-line. Walter had put this project on the highest priority. Specifically, Walter wanted to know whether this was something that could be completed in time for the Christmas shopping season, a time when A&D’s cyclic business has traditionally boomed. The current project manager, Eric Robertson, was taking a 1-month leave of absence due to a family emergency, just as he was about to begin formulating the project plan and make staffing decisions. In his twelve years as a technology project manager, Johnson had a strong track
A&D High Tech Case A: Managing Projects For Success
OVERVIEW Chris Johnson arrived at the A&D High Tech headquarters in Cupertino, California to attend a meeting with his senior managers. It was early May and the previous months had been long and difficult for him. He had just led a project team that successfully revamped the supply chain systems in less than six months. He was especially proud since many inside observers had doubts that the project could be completed on time. As part of the strategic initiatives set forth by its CEO and Founder, Ted Walter, A&D was to be second-to-none in utilizing technology to increase operational efficiency and reduce cost. The supply chain project therefore received notable attention in the boardroom and with its competitors. After a well-deserved vacation, Johnson received an urgent message from the CIO, Matt Webb. He asked Johnson to join him for a meeting to discuss taking over the on-line store project. Johnson realized that the company’s top brass had ignored the Internet until recently. As Webb explained, the VP of Sales had advised Walter that A&D was losing its competitive advantage by not selling on-line. Walter had put this project on the highest priority. Specifically, Walter wanted to know whether this was something that could be completed in time for the Christmas shopping season, a time when A&D’s cyclic business has traditionally boomed. The current project manager, Eric Robertson, was taking a 1-month leave of absence due to a family emergency, just as he was about to begin formulating the project plan and make staffing decisions. In his twelve years as a technology project manager, Johnson had a strong track