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Ford Hybrid Case Study

Decent Essays

Paper # 2 Ford Hybrid

09/13/2012

Abstract

Which stages of the project life cycle are evident in the case study?
Did Martens select the right two project managers in Patil and Wright?
What are toughest challenges faced by the project manger’ during a high visability and high risk project?
Would you like to have been involved with the Ford Escape Hybrid project?

Paper # 2: Ford Hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid program was the midterm step of the company’s steps of sustainability. The program was included in the company’s long-term plans for more than two decades. The program in the past decade accelerated rapidly due to increased pressure from recently enhanced EPA regulations for improved gas mileage and pollution standards. …show more content…

Hybrid Project personnel Decisions The task of managing a project of the magnitude Martens was assigned could either fail, succeed. The scope of the job contains extremely complex engineering feats combined with a rigid timeline. The only path for success was to find a project manager well versed in both aspects of the project. Instead Martens decided to split the responsibilities of the project with two managers with different experience and subject matter expert qualities. Patil was brought his PhD scientific experience to the table. While Wright brought the can do spark plug approach to the project. The two will be instrumental in the projects outcome (Salter 2004).
Challenges
This type of project required an organized approach to working out side of the normal confines of Ford’s production models. The bench mark for success is not in comparison to other previous projects. Large scale engineering designs had been implemented in the past, but never a machine with dual means of propulsion. The company had already announced release of the Hybrid and the whole world was waiting to see the outcome (Tierney 2005).
Member of the Team Having the opportunity to be part of a team steeped in innovative engineering tradition would be an honor for anyone in the automotive production industry. The overall project requires more than just strong management, designers, and engineers. The entire project requires

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