MNGT 215 – Fall 2007-2008
Video case - Chapter 3
After watching the video Big problems with the Big Dig, prepare the following questions.
In December 2006, a ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the massive highway tunnel
running underneath Boston, affectionately dubbed the “Big Dig”. This video illustrates the kinds
of decisions managers face, and the problems that can arise despite a prearranged process or set
of decisions. This video can help demonstrate how managers must adapt and be flexible, and it
presents a good portrayal of pressures such as time and budget constraints that go along with any
realistic project.
Multiple choice
1.
Managers acting as decision makers often ignore problems or avoid taking action. There
are several elements of managerial decisions that contribute to those outcomes. The state
that exists when decision makers have insufficient information is called
.
a.
risk
b.
conflict
c.
uncertainty
d.
lack of structure
2.
There are several key stages of decision making that are involved in any effective
decision making process, no matter the time constraints involved. Before decisions
makers evaluate alternatives, they should first
.
a.
evaluate the decision
b.
make the choice
c.
generate alternative solutions
d.
implement the decision
3.
After considering the possible consequences of the options, it is time to make the
decision as a manager. The project managers’ next decision may not be a popular one.
Choosing an option that is acceptable, although not necessarily the best or perfect is
called .
a.
a contingency plan
b.
satisficing
c.
maximizing
d.
optimizing
4.
The project managers of the Big Dig were facing pressures from the public, particularly
because of high expectations, numerous critics, and the unprecedented scale of the
project. One psychological bias weighting the short-term costs and benefits more heavily
than longer-term costs and benefits is called
.
a.
discounting the future
b.
illusion of control
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c.
d.
5.
framing effects
time pressures
Consider the nature of the Big Dig project and the project managers’ decision processes.
is a less-than-perfect form of rationality in which decision makers cannot be
perfectly rational because decisions are complex and complete information is
unavailable.
a.
Incremental model
b.
Coalition model
c.
Garbage can model
d.
Bounded rationality
Discussion questions
1.
Risk, uncertainty, lack of structure, and conflict are classic characteristics of managerial
decisions. Consider the project planners of the Big Dig in Boston. Which of these
elements of managerial decisions were demonstrated in the video? Do you think some of
it could have been prevented? If so, how?
2.
The video shows that project officials have documentation showing that the contractors
knew the slurry used in the tunnel was not up to specifications. If the materials are not
sound, it makes sense that the tunnel is now leaking. What role does time play in the
quality of decision making among managers? Do you think the problems today could
have been prevented with better, more timely decision making by the project managers?
3.
Consider the points of view that were represented in the video. Who were the
participants in the Big Dig and what are their perspectives? Now consider the problem
and the idea of accountability. Is there an emergent strategy in this crisis? What do you
think the project managers should do to resolve the situation?
Other Relevant Chapters:
This video also relates well with the content material found within text Chapter 2: The External
Environment and Organizational Culture and Chapter 16: Managerial Control.
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