Problem Solution Harrison Keyes

Running head: PROBLEM SOLUTION: HARRISON-KEYES INC.

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.

Sandra DeFelice - Owens

University of Phoenix

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.

Harrison-Keyes is a publishing company that under the direction of Meg McGill has made the decision to change its format of delivery to digital materials as well as paper print. The obstacles that will challenge this move will need to be addressed as the company moves forward with the strategic plan to change it's formatting of delivery.

In the midst of the implementation phase the company begins to realize that the planning stages of the project may be falling short of the actual steps necessary to complete the project. Their poor planning and inability to foresee the many obstacles that they are now facing as the plan unfolds is placing the delivery timeline and many other aspects of the project in jeopardy of failing. Technology advancements will need to be reconsidered with the improvements to all the hardware and software components to handle the extra load that this format will require as well as better communication with the contractual company handling the digitizing of the material.

The underestimated need for a more thorough planning phase has now left the company with many gaps on the implementation process and will require the staff to reevaluate the timeline that has put in place for completion of the project. Technology and communication will be the critical pieces to the project moving forward.

Describe the Situation

Issue and Opportunity Identification

Harrison-Keyes is in the midst of a major change to digital delivery of published material. In the planning process many issues were not addressed and now must be immediately considered to keep the project on the intended timeline of delivery. Meg McGill is faced with the issues from the authors currently under contractual agreements with the company with regards to royalty issues and the security of their written works. In order to keep the negative media attention to a minimum it will be necessary for her to meet with the group to explain the advantages to this form of delivery. The legal department and Mark Simmons, who has a good understanding of digital rights of the author, should also play a lead role in this meeting.

Mack Evans is the current technology person in charge of the company's computers and although he has the basic knowledge of the systems he is now in need of outside help. Harrison-Keyes should immediately hire a consulting firm and a technology specialist to assist in the implementation and upgrade of the system to insure customer satisfaction with delivery. Mark Evans will play an important role in bringing this firm on board by assisting with the initial evaluation and overseeing the recommendations to his department.

Top management involved in the project is in need of a reorganization of the project scope and timeline to realign the project. Although the company has set timelines there are no actual measurements in place to gauge when there may be a problem or when intervention measures should be implemented. Gaining more specific measurements in terms of the timelines for completion of certain steps is needed in order for the company to get an overall view of the issues that have been caused delays. Other components of the project such as the outsourced digitalization of the material seems to be behind, poor communication guidelines are hindering the companies ability to clearly know where they are on this phase and the technology department needs a make over prior to the total roll out of the new format. It is important to keep in mind that although the technology improvements must be made to support the new format to be sure that the company does not encounter scope creep.

"Scope creep" can play havoc with a performance improvement project, where a series of small, gradual increases in a project's scope push the project beyond the available schedule or budget or reduce its quality to unacceptable levels.(Villachica, Stone & Endicott)

Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas

There are many shareholders that will be affected by the digital conversion project that Harrison-Keyes has initiated. Through conversations it is clear that the current authors contracted to the company are worried about the impact that the change will have on their royalties as well as the security of their written material once it is digitized. The dilemma that is most important is the issue that many of the contracts already have conditions and clauses for such development, so the authors may be feeling that the project was planned and their feelings were not considered. Proper communication should have been initiated by Harrison-Keyes to prepare and educate the authors as to the advantages to this type of delivery system for written material.

The contractual company hired to digitize material for the company is located overseas, this was done primarily due to cost factors as well as a recommendation by others in the field as being able to handle to challenge. Pete Ross who has been placed in charge of this portion of the project is known for his lack of tolerance for overseas companies and this is adding stress to this phase of the project.

Pete is working to get his department approved for more of the work load, possibly to prove that the project should have been handled in house rather than contracted outside. The lack of communication will continue to hinder this part of the project unless someone can mediate between Pete and the outsourced company.

Frame the "Right" Problem

Harrison-Keyes will become the leader in digital media delivery by restructuring their business plan to allow them the flexibility to meet the future needs of the mobile customer.

Describe the "End-State" Vision

Harrison-Keyes will be a leader in the digital material industry through innovation and technology advancements. To keep current with the market arena the company will digitize the most popular titles along with remaining in the paper print business. Offering both print and digital material will allow the company to be more competitive as the market shifts towards digital. Digital delivery will save in inventory and other