Analyzing Project Management Failures: Williams & Apache Metals Cases

This case study analysis examines project management challenges at Williams Machine Tool Company and Apache Metals, Inc. The Williams case explores the company's failure to adapt to market changes, employee resistance to project management, and the reasons behind its eventual sale. It questions whether project management could have prevented the company's downfall and assesses the role of leadership in the failure. The Apache Metals case investigates issues in project manager assignments, the company's path to project management excellence, and the necessary skill sets and cultural considerations. Both cases provide insights into the importance of effective project management, leadership, and organizational change. Desklib provides similar solved assignments and study resources for students.

Cases in Applied Project
Management

Table of Contents
Introduction 200...............................................................................................................................3
Williams Machine Tool Company...................................................................................................3
1.Could project management have been used for those projects involving modifications to the
standard machine tool line? ...................................................................................................3
22. How should you handle experienced employees who live in the past and refuse to accept
project management?..............................................................................................................4
33. Who should be blamed for the failure of Williams Company to react quickly to changes in
the marketplace?.....................................................................................................................5
44. Is project management the real reason why the company was sold and employees lost their
jobs?........................................................................................................................................6
55. Should Crock Engineering have held onto the Williams Company? If so, how?............7
Apache Metals, Inc..........................................................................................................................8
1.What problems can you see in the way project managers were assigned in the past? 365. 8
2.Will the new approach taken in 2007 put the company on a path to excellence in project
management?..........................................................................................................................9
3.What skill set would be ideal for the future project managers at Apache Metals?...........10
4.What overall cultural issues must be considered in striving for excellence in project
management?........................................................................................................................10
5.What time frame would be appropriate to achieve excellence in project management? What
assumptions must be made?.................................................................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References .....................................................................................................................................13

Introduction
The term project management is defined as making use of particular techniques and tools
to provide some value to the customers. As all the projects are focussed to make use of different
product or service to make the customers satisfied. The report will outline the two case studies
that is Williams Machine Tool Company and Apache Metals, Inc. Both the case studies
presented some major issues in their operations which led to drop the level of sales of the
company. The various scenarios will be presented in the report in relation to project management
and also involving modifications. Through this report, the
Williams Machine Tool Company
Williams Machine tool company faced growth and tremendous success during the period of 1980
to 1990 because of their main products and keeping the customers satisfied. The things changed
in the time of recession and that is why they are required to bring some changes. Further
questions and explanation will present various point that will comprise of the role of project
management in modification, the strategies which can be used to deal with the employees who
were refusing to aspect the new modifications.
1.Could project management have been used for those projects involving modifications to the
standard machine tool line?
Project management plays a crucial role in improvising and enhancing existing scenarios in a
workplace of a business organisation. For instance, it facilitates in understanding and recognising
the needs of change in carrying out business operations and activities in order to ensure effective
and efficient completion of operations and tasks. In addition to that, it contributes various
additional values towards growth and success of a business organisation by coping up with
necessary changes according to the needs and requirement of that particular business
organisation.
Referring to the mentioned case study, Project Management could have been used in
modifications to the standard product line of machine tools. As the respective business
organisation has recognised needs for implementation of change in working scenario, the process
of Project Management could have been taken into consideration for carrying out the same in an
efficient manner. In addition to that, it would have facilitated respective company by providing
the same with a systematic process of project management inclusive of various different steps or

stages including Planning, organising, execution, and close-out. In the scenario of decreasing
sales of standard product line of company, the senior management representatives could have
considered the meaningful process of project management in order to meet the requirement of
changes in workplace. Though, the lower management and other subordinate workforce were
refusing to acknowledge the need of changes in workforce but it still the leaders could have
provided them with purpose behind the same (Bjorvatn, and Wald, 2018).
The process of project management could have been initiated with determination and
recognition of needs and requirements of business which could be acknowledged further for
developing suitable strategies and plan. For instance, the succeeding step in this process would
have been oriented upon considering the areas with scope of modifications and designing
strategies for the same. In addition to that, these designed and developed strategies could be used
further for implementation in workplace in order to carry out determined changes in workplace.
With accomplishment of the purpose behind initiating the project of modification, the
determined project could have been called for close-out in order to regulate business operations
with the modified approach. Therefore, it would have contributed various additional values
towards respective business organisation as well as theirs target customer base by providing
them with enhanced and modified product in order to meet their needs and requirements (Correa,
and et. al., 2018).
22. How should you handle experienced employees who live in the past and refuse to accept
project management?
Workforce or employees are the most essential elements of a business organisation as
they are involved in carrying out business operations and activities in a workplace according to
their assigned tasks and responsibilities. For instance, it is a responsibility of a business
organisation to develop suitable working environment for their employees as well as looking
after their morale and individual values. In addition to that, a satisfied workforce always initiates
additional efforts towards betterment and enhancement of that particular business entity.
Referring to mentioned case study, the skilled and experienced workforce has been
observed as refusing for the need for change in workplace. Though, there is a necessity for these
changes but still senior level management representatives could not directly neglect their views
and opinions in a manner that it leads to degradation of their morale and values. In order to
manage these employees in the determined scenario, management representatives engaged in

respective business organisation could have used the most suitable approach of encouraging
employees by conveying the primary purpose behind the same. With the use of effective
communication in workplace, management representatives could have maintained employee
engagement in workplace in order to encourage employees towards acknowledging the need for
changes (Gemino, Horner Reich, and Serrador, 2021). Furthermore, it includes providing them
with clarity in purpose and goals behind the same, effective understanding of vision and
opinions, responding to their doubts and queries, etc.
Therefore, these positive initiatives would have facilitates respective business
organisation in managing their skilled and experienced workforce as well as contributing values
towards them. As the skilled and experienced employees are most essential element for a
business organisation, management representatives are required to look after their morale and
values. With the consideration of these determined initiatives, managers in respective
organisation could have managed their workforce in such a manner that it would not degrade
their morale as well as encourage them towards recognising the need for changes in carrying out
determined business operations and activities. On the other hand, upright employee engagement
in workplace would have boosted up confidence of employees which would have pushed them
further towards contribution of additional efforts and values towards performing their assigned
roles and responsibilities in a workplace. All these aspects would have further facilitates in
ensuring accomplishment of organisational goals and objectives (Kerzner, 2018).
33. Who should be blamed for the failure of Williams Company to react quickly to changes in
the marketplace?
In order to prevent failures in a business organisation, there is a necessity to react to
changes quickly according to needs and requirements of a business. For instance, inability of
meeting these needs and requirements could lead to failure of business as it could lead to
decrease in sales as well as loss of existing customer base. In addition to that, it could result in
development of negative working environment in workplace as well as degradation of morale of
employees in carrying out business operations and activities.
Referring to mentioned case study of Williams Company, the senior management
representatives could be blamed for failure of business due to lack of responding towards need
for changes in business. In order to be precise, a business organisation is required to manage
their workforce in such a manner that it contributes values toward accomplishment of

organisational goals and objectives in some or the other way. In the situation of disagreement of
employees towards need for changes in respective business, organisation, senior management
representatives could have encouraged with suitable initiatives according to that particular
situation. Moreover, senior managers in workplace could have initiated efforts in making
employees understand the need for determined changes in order to encourage them towards the
same. It includes providing employees with knowledge of positive aspects associated with
changes in organisation as well as negative impacts in the absence of the same (Mavi, and
Standing, 2018).
Therefore, management representatives could not completely rely upon employees in
decision-making practices in order to ensure effective and efficient completion of business
operations and activities. For instance, inability of management representatives in Williams
company in encouraging employees towards need for changes in working practices could be
blamed for failure of business. Moreover, degradation of overall sales of products offered by
company was the initial indication of business failure for respective business organisation which
could have been considered by senior management officials of the company. Being operating in
a dynamic changing business environment creates a necessity for business organisations to
quickly respond towards need for changes in workplace in order to cope up with changes in
business environment. Hence, inability in coping up with these changes could further lead to
business failure and degradation of overall sales of products offered by that particular business
organisation (Pace, 2019).
44. Is project management the real reason why the company was sold and employees lost their
jobs?
Project Management is primarily aimed at recognition of need for changes as well as
initiating efforts towards the same with suitable strategies and planning. For instance, it
facilitates in improvising and enhancing the existing business scenario with most suitable and
appropriate strategies and approaches according to that particular situation. In addition to that, it
contributes various additional values towards ensuring success and growth of respective business
organisation.
The respective business organisation was sold to Crook Engineering due to decreasing
sales and heavy losses as a indication of business failure for respective business organisation. For
instance, Crook Engineering owned respective business entity in order to increase their market

share as well allocation of their funds and financial sources. The primary initiative taken into
consideration by Crook Engineering after their ownership over Williams company is to replace
the senior management staff with their existing workforce in order to carry out operations and
activities according to their own systems of working. In addition to that, it further facilitates in
creating and developing a desired organisational culture within the workplace of respective
business organisation. Furthermore, the determined organisational culture has provided company
with immense benefits as well as increased their profitability in carrying out business operations
and activities. It allowed Crook engineering in accomplishment of their newly determined goals
and objectives of business (Zuo, and et. al., 2018).
Therefore, Project management could be considered as the primary and major reason
behind selling out the business unit of Williams company. For instance, initiatives raised by
newly owned business organisation i.e., Crook Engineering further resulted in improvising the
overall scenario of workplace to a higher extent in order to ensure effective Project management.
Though, the company has shown various benefits and increasing profitability with
implementation of determined initiatives but still it had various areas for improvisation. In
addition to that, relocation of business unit at another geographical location was another major
initiative raised towards betterment of company with implementation of suitable and required
efforts towards the same. As a result of this relocation of business unit, various number of
employees has lost their job which has been resulted in adverse impact upon them. Therefore,
relocation of business unit has been determined as one of the most suitable approach or strategy
towards organisation success and growth (Serrador, Gemino, and Reich, 2018).
55. Should Crock Engineering have held onto the Williams Company? If so, how?
Business organisation is comprised of various different factors and aspects that further
makes up the complete organisation. For instance, success and failure in a business is impacted
by these factors or aspects in some or the other manner. In addition to that, management
representatives engaged in these business organisations are required to consider these factors and
aspects in order to ensure effective decision-making related to business operations and activities.
Furthermore, it could contribute additional values towards success as well as could lead to the
condition of failure of business.
Referring to the mentioned case study, Crook Engineering has acquired ownership of
Williams Company in order to takeover operations and activities of that particular business

organisation. For instance, it has raised various initiatives towards betterment of working
practices and scenarios in the workplace. Though, it initially included quite a higher amount of
time in acquiring desired outcomes but gradually attained the same with consistency in efforts
and initiatives. In addition to that, it replaced the senior management representatives with their
existing management officials in order to promote and regulate their own organisational culture
in the workplace. Moreover, these initiatives and actions were majorly aimed at consideration of
effective project management in order to achieve desired goals and objectives from the same.
Therefore, all these initiatives and efforts raised by Crook Engineering further presented positive
outcomes from the same with increasing sales and profitability (Fauzi, and et. al., 2021).
Therefore, Crook Engineering should not have sold the determined business unit to
another representative. In order to be precise, it incurred immense amount of efforts and
initiatives by workforce of respective business organisation in overcoming through the adverse
situation faced by Williams company. Implementation of suitable strategies, raising corrective
measures, initiatives, etc. contributed various additional values towards organisation success and
growth. Furthermore, Crook Engineering initiated a journey towards growth and success of
respective business organisation which got completely wasted by selling it out to another
representative for administering the same. Therefore, it could have facilitated Crook in
contributing consistent values towards business environment as well as society by providing
them with quality products in order to meet their needs and demands (Kerzner, 2022).
Apache Metals, Inc.
The above mentioned company is a manufacturer of the metal working equipment and they
mainly deals in appliance, automotive and building related products (Kakkar and et.al., 2020). In
addition to this, the production line is planned as per the customers requirements.
1.What problems can you see in the way project managers were assigned in the past? 365
In the past, there were many issues in the way project managers were assigned are explained
below-
 Insufficient involvement of the employees- In the given case study, few operations
failed miserably that happened due to less evolvement of the employees. In order to keep
the employees motivated and encouraged, the company is required to consider the

personal and career growth. Opportunities must be provided to the employees so that
they can contribute more to the company.
 Lack of experience in decision making- As per the given case study, there are various
barriers in making decisions and every manager should be aware of such barriers in
taking the suitable decisions. As the level of decision making was not clear among the
employees which became the reason of confusion for the them.
 Cost overruns averaged 20 to 25 percent per production line- The situation of the
cost overrun is one of the dangerous to the company as the company has to spend the
funds which may lead to financial restriction and unexpected expenses. It took place due
to improper management of risk as the company did not have proper risk strategy to
identify the external risks (Kerzner, 2018).
 Sales dropped to an all-time low-Due to lack of coordination among employees due to
poor communication between the employees and teams. Therefore, it is essential to
maintain proper balance between all the departments so that proper strategic decisions
can be made and implemented.
(Kerzner, 2022)
2.Will the new approach taken in 2007 put the company on a path to excellence in project
management?
Yes, the new approach will reduce the level of issues of the company so that problems will be
managed on the way to bring excellence in the project management. The new approach is
explained below-
 The problems will be properly explained by the managers so that the team will
accomplish the desired objective with in the budget.
 In this new approach, the managers will keep the goals in mind by setting priorities to
complete the targets (Kerzner, 2019).
 Also, the managers will focus on strong leadership to find the successful ways to
deliver their products to the customers.
 In addition to this, in new approach the company will be committed towards its goals
by understanding the value of resources.

3.What skill set would be ideal for the future project managers at Apache Metals?
When the company wants to survive and grow in the competitive market there are various set of
skills which are to be used by the project managers ( Abualoush and et.al., 2018). With the help
of mixture of skills, risk can be managed and also the issues can be resolved. Below mentioned
skills will be the best for the future project managers at Apache Metals-
 By being creative- At the company, by creativity the managers encourage the employees
to work with each other. Due to which the collaboration increases and the employees of
the company will near things, knowledge and information (Teimouri and et.al., 2018).
 Handling customers- Customer service skills are the one which allows the company to
coordinate with customers and that is why, the employees must be positive and
professional to treat customers.
 Leadership- This skill set is one of the best for the future project managers at Apache
Metals because due to this skill, the team will perform better (Teimouri and et.al., 2018).
 Critical thinking skill-Another skill will be to improve the critical thinking skills by
asking questions and making all the logics and assumptions regarding the tasks and
decisions of the company (Rowe, 2020).
 Power of influencing and diplomacy- diplomacy skills consist of interpersonal skills
and emotional intelligence to enhance the professional interactions. This skill will build
more workplace relationships that will lead to bring more success in the company.
 Effective communication- As communication is considered to be crucial because this
skill will assist the company to plan and manage for the purpose of executing the
operations of the company (Kerzner, 2019). The managers will also consider the cultural
expressions of information and ideas. They also try to understand the opinion of people
who come from different backgrounds and culture.
4.What overall cultural issues must be considered in striving for excellence in project
management?
Various culture issue that will be considered in attempting the excellence in project management
are interpreted below-
 Relation with colleagues- This can be a negative point while bringing excellence in the
project management as if the employees are not with happy with each other this can turn
into toxic workplace (Salas‐Vallina, Alegre and López‐Cabrales, 2021). Having good

relationships are essential between employees and management so that they both can
support and coordinate with each other for the upcoming bright future. By resolving all
the issues of the company and using positive approach towards each other.
 Work ethics- If the company has unethical leadership and they do not follow the rules
and regulations for the employees then the employees do not prefer such companies.
(Rowe, 2020). In addition to this, there are some standards of the company which are
must for them such as professionalism standards. These standards should be implemented
at all the activities of the company for the employees. The way they deal, treat and speak
are the reasons to build better relationship among the employees and the management.
 Language barriers- Due to poor communication skills, the working operations of the
company got affected in bad way that is the sales got affected and the employees were
not happy at the workplace. Accountability is the considered to be the essential trait for
employees and the management should monitor all the activities at the workplace.
5.What time frame would be appropriate to achieve excellence in project management? What
assumptions must be made?
Activities Time period
Regarding training programmes Six months
Internship program Six months
Bringing change in management structure Eight months
Enhancing sales management Eight months
Assumptions made :
1. The employees of the company must have the knowledge about all the processes of the
company (Kerzner,, 2019).
2. The applicants selected for their job roles must be the deserving candidates.
3. The Project Manager has the knowledge to deal with the employees in relation to deal
with customers.
4. By using project management techniques, the modification in the structure of company
will be welcomed by the company.

5. The employees will contribute more in the company after the internship and training
program.
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that in order to achieve excellency in the
business by making use of project management. Project management is a tool which executes the
plan by accomplishing the strategic objectives of the company. The report presented the various
case studies by answering various questions and considering all the aspects by using project
management so that the company will keep progressing in their segment. The above mentioned
skills and strategies will allow the company to enhance the level of success in their all tasks.