As Director of New Projects, You Have Just Learned That

question 156

Essay

As director of new projects, you have just learned that cash flow problems have forced your organization to cut back product-development activities. This means that two of the eight projects currently being developed must be terminated, along with the employees working on those projects (about 25 per cent of employees in your unit). You have a good knowledge of these projects as well as the performance and seniority of employees who work in your unit. While some projects clearly have a high chance of success, the long-term potential of a couple of them is unknown. Identify the best level of employee involvement in this situation and describe three factors (contingencies) that support this level of involvement.

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Definitions:

Decision-Making Process

A series of steps that individuals or organizations follow to select a course of action from among several alternatives.

Team Members

Individuals who are part of a group working together towards a common goal or objective.

Situational Leadership Model

A theory that suggests that leaders must adapt their leadership style according to the maturity level of the followers and the demands of the situation.

Key Features

Fundamental characteristics or attributes that distinguish a concept, theory, object, or phenomenon from others.