Scenario:
You are a project manager for Advancement Corporation, which specializes in providing quality pharmaceuticals to doctors throughout the United States. The company has over 20,000 employees. It is critical that skilled scientists and technicians be hired to ensure the proper development of pharmaceuticals through clinical trials. It is absolutely essential for Advancement Corporation to continuously recruit, select, and train qualified personnel.
A predatory executive search firm has convinced many of the leading scientists in the company (about 20 people) to hand in their resignations after accepting employment with Advancement Corporation's main competitor.
As the project manager chosen by the CEO to address and rectify this crisis, you are granted the following authority:
- You have the ability to act as the CEO's deputy. This fact is known throughout the company based on a top management meeting with the CEO.
- The whole company understands that this is a full-time project manager position.
Assignment:
As the project manager, respond to the following questions:
- In your opinion, what will be the greatest opportunity and the greatest challenge that you will face in relation to planning and executing an ongoing solution to the company's staffing dilemma?
- In developing a plan to be presented to top management, in your opinion, what factors should you consider in terms of the costs, scope, quality, and risk issues associated with your proposal for dealing with this crisis?