Case Study 3 : White Manufacturing

Case Study #3

White Manufacturing

Executive Summary

White Manufacturing was on a course to encounter problems with the hiring of a new Manufacturing Manager from outside of the company. The project managers were basically demoted to report directly to this new manager. A Manufacturing Engineer Manager was also sure to be disgruntled as he was passed over for the position. A better solution would be to move project management of into its own division all together and get rid of the Manufacturing Manager position. This would provide a matrix structure more friendly to project management and the flow of information.

Problem Statement

While the case study doesn't state a current problem in the organization, one can forecast that the new manufacturing manager and slight restructuring of the organization may cause problems. One obvious source of conflict will be the hiring of an outside manager when there was at least one person that felt they were prepared. The new structure is unnatural as far as the flow of information goes. While the project managers have the authority to go between departments to organize and complete projects, they are restricted to reporting to the manufacturing manager instead of the vice president. This takes away from their authority they would otherwise have from interfacing with sponsors which is upper level management.

Alternatives

1- The Manufacturing Operations Manager should go back on his decision to hire a manufacturing manager from outside of the company. The case study stated that the information and projects were flowing fine before the old manufacturing manger resigned. To fill the new position the Manufacturing Operation Manager should give the Manufacturing Engineering Manager a chance to fill the position and try to fill the lower level management position with a person form within or outside of the company.

a. The benefits of this situation are that it has a good chance of prolonging the good standing of project management that has already been happening.

b. Hiring from within the company will avoid the current situation of restructuring and possibly ruining the moral of the manufacturing department.

c. This course of action could even boost moral by letting employees know they have a chance of career progression within the company.

2- Another solution could be to get rid of the manufacturing managing position all together and move project management into its own department with the function to work across departmental lines.

a. The benefits are that now an outside manager wouldn't have to be hired. This would help mitigate animosity from lower level workers.