Harrison-Keyes-Wk3

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.

Harrison-Keyes, Inc. (HK) has determined that in order to remain competitive in the publishing industry they must implement e-publishing. Months into the project, HK is faced with multiple issues. As HK has found, implementing new technology is not easy and requires strong project planning. “The main reasons why systems fail to meet their objectives were identified as: Lack of attention to the human and organizational aspects of IT; poor project management; poor articulation of user requirements; inadequate attention to business needs and goals; and failure to involve users appropriately,” (IT-Cortex, 2008). In the HK scenario, appropriate project planning was missing. “Yet another take on the reasons why some projects succeed and a lot others fail attributes three variables whose impact on project performance is the maximum: Good Planning: The more forward, future-oriented and in-detail planning, the higher the chances of success. Each and every activity that is expected down the line gets due attention. Not only is this pre-planning well-documented, but also even after the project has taken off, if things don’t exactly pan out as planned, the project manager does not hesitate to re-plan, avoiding Project Management Failure, and readily incorporates the changed circumstances in their new version, so that future events are controlled,” (Database Design Resource, 2008). This paper identifies key issues impacting HK and provides solutions and recommendations to achieve HK’s end-state vision.

Describe the Situation

Issues and Opportunities

HK is faced with several key issues it must resolve to implement its new e-publishing strategy. HK is faced with determining the best way to implement their e-publishing strategy. “At the one extreme an attempt can be made to bring under a single organizational umbrella all seven (7) steps of creation, manufacture and dissemination of a piece of information, of a product. In such case the publishing houses employs in-house writers, editors, publishers, digital conversion bureaux and web-based storage/sales/delivery systems. At the other extreme, arrangements can be made for a system comprising seven separate, independently managed but collaborating expert units, each taking care of its own specialized step within the complete publishing cycle,” (Dr. T. Matthew Ciolek, August 7, 1997).

The first issue HK faces is the lack of a process that evaluates project risks. “Risk management attempts to recognize and manage potential and unforeseen trouble spots that may occur when the project is implemented,” (Clifford F. Gray & Erik W. Larson, 2006). HK will need to implement a risk management process and re-evaluate the project to identify, assess and create a response. Additionally, the process should include a method of evaluating new risk to the project.

The second key issue is related to HK’s culture, which is tied into “old school” publishing. Implementing new technology in the form of e-publishing requires additional skills and techniques that HK leadership and its employees, including authors, may be unfamiliar with and could impact the development of the solution. Project Manager(s) should evaluate the resources available and the skills sets to determine if supplemental resources are required. “Organizational culture refers to a system of shared norms, beliefs, values, and assumptions which binds people together, thereby creating shared meanings,” (Clifford F. Gray & Erik W. Larson, 2006). A work package “provides the basis for scheduling labor and equipment. It enhances communication that melds all managers and groups together in meeting the time, cost, and performance objectives of the project, “(Clifford F. Gray & Erik W. Larson, 2006). HK should implement a project network to plan, schedule and monitor project process. While HK does have a project plan, they do not have a formal method to evaluate impact to the overall project is tasks are not completed on time.

HK under estimated the technology costs associated with this implementation. Since HK is implementing a new technology for its organization, they should utilize Function Points Methods to evaluate time and cost. “In the software industry, software development projects are frequently estimated using weighted macro variables called “function points” or major parameters such as number of inputs, number of outputs, number of inquiries, number of data files, and number of interfaces, (Clifford F. Gray & Erik W. Larson, 2006).

The final issue is the communication issue HK is facing with their publishing vendor, Asia Publishing. “When making individual assignments, project managers should match, as best they can, the demands and requirements of specific work with the qualifications and experience of available participants,” (Clifford F. Gray & Erik W. Larson, 2006). HK should evaluate the method they used to assign project work. Since HK has technical resources that are unfamiliar with the new technology and must coordinate with resources in a different time zone, it must assign work packages to resources that are most equip to complete.

Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas

Many individuals are impacted by HK’s decision to implement e-publishing. Will X. Harper, who is HK’s key author, believes his work is being used in a way that will take money out of his pocket. On the other hand HK believes e-publishing is required for its long-term survival. HK must decide if violating the current contract it has in place with its authors and if it makes sense to renegotiate.

Another dynamic is the relationship between Robert Smith, CFO and Mack Evans, CIO. Robert Smith is responsible for HKs finances and requires a cost estimate to determine the impact this project will have on financials. Mack Evans team is implementing new technology and has little expertise in house that can appropriately estimate. Since HK has no formal method for estimating the cost to implement new technology, building agreement between Robert and Mack will be difficult to achieve without proper estimating techniques.

Pete Ross, HKs production manager is experiencing significant communication challenges with Asia Digital Publishing. Asia Digital Publishing was selected to provide publishing services. Pete believes Asia Digital Publishing is unable to meet is needs due to communication challenges. Asia Digital Publishing is in a different time zone and is expected to