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Computer Information Systems Program College of Business Florida Gulf Coast University

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Case study--1: Widgets ‘R Us
Questions#1: you have been called in as a consultant to analyze the
operations at WRU. What would you advise?
Answer:
Widgets R Us (WRU) is a medium sized firm specializing in the design and
manufacturing of quality widgets. WRU follows the functional organization design.
Primarily it served well but later on could not cope with the dynamic market for several
reasons.
Now as a consultant I would advise to solve the problems which are as follows
1. The internal communication must be improved with the department.
2. Production cost of widget should be reduced so that it can sell the product at low
price.
3. WRU can improve the quality of widget to cope with the situation.
4. Products must be supplied as early as possible.
5. Information should be opened for all so that everybody knows what happens in
the organization.
6. The demand of customer might be identified and the product produced.
7. New technology can be brought to produce quality product.
8.
At last I can say that, WRU Company should follow these suggestions to solve the
problem.
Questions#2: what structural design changes might be undertaken to
improve the operations at the company?
Answer:
As WRU makes loss by following functional structure, so I can say that, the project
structure might be undertaken to improve the operation at the company because the use of
project structure containing several advantages which are as follows
First, the project manager does not occupy a subordinate role on this structure.
Second, the functional structure and its potential for siloing or communication problems
are bypassed. As a result, communication improves across the organization and within
the project team. Because authority remains with the project manager and the project
team, Decision making is speeded up. Project decisions can occur quickly, without
lengthy delays as functional groups are consulted or allowed to veto project team
decisions.
Third, this organization type promotes the expertise of a professional cadre of project
management professionals.

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Finally, the pure project structure encourages flexibility and rapid response to
environmental opportunities. Projects are created managed and disbanded routinely;
therefore, the ability to create new project tans as needed is common and quickly
undertaken.
At last I can say that, the project structure might be undertaken to improve the operation
at the company.
Questions#3: what are the strengths and weaknesses of alternative
solutions the company could employ?
Answer:
If the company employed the project structure, the following strengths might be found
1. Authority might be assigned to only project manager.
2. It leads to improved communication across the organization and among functional
groups.
3. It promoted effective and speedy decision making.
4. Promoted the creation of cadres of project management expert.
5. Encourages rapid response to market opportunities.
Weaknesses of project structure
If the WRU followed project structure, the following weaknesses might be faced,
1. To set up and maintain project team might be expensive.
2. Potential for project team members to develop loyalty to the project rather than to
the overall organization.
3. Difficult to maintain a pooled supply of intellectual capital.
4. Concern among project team members about their future once the project ends.
These are the strengths and weaknesses are found if the company employed the project
structure.

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Case study--1: Widgets ‘R Us Questions#1: you have been called in as a consultant to analyze the operations at WRU. What would you advise? Answer: Widgets R Us (WRU) is a medium sized firm specializing in the design and manufacturing of quality widgets. WRU follows the functional organization design. Primarily it served well but later on could not cope with the dynamic market for several reasons. Now as a consultant I would advise to solve the problems which are as follows— 1. The internal communication must be improved with the department. 2. Production cost of widget should be reduced so that it can sell the product at low price. 3. WRU can improve the quality of widget to cope with the situation. 4. Products must be supplied as early as possible. 5. Information should be opened for all so that everybody knows what happens in the organization. 6. The demand of customer might be identified and the product produced. 7. New technology can be brought to produce quality product. 8. At last I can say that, WRU Company should follow these suggestions to solve the problem. Questions#2: what structural design changes might be undertaken to improve the operations at the ...
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