Question

Case study: Facilities Scheduling at Mayer Manufacturing

Eddie Turner was elated with the good news that he was being promoted to section supervisor in charge of scheduling all activities in the new engineering research laboratory. The new laboratory was a necessity for Mayer Manufacturing. The engineering, manufacturing, and quality control directorates were all in desperate need of a new testing facility. Upper-level management felt that this new facility would alleviate many of the problems that previously existed. The new organizational structure (as shown in Exhibit I) required a change in policy over use of the laboratory. The new section supervisor, on approval from his department manager, would have full authority for establishing priorities for the use of the new facility. The new policy change was a necessity because upperlevel management felt that there would be inevitable conflict between manufacturing, engineering, and quality control. After one month of operations, Eddie Turner was finding his job impossible, so Eddie has a meeting with Gary Whitehead, his department manager. Eddie: “I’m having a hell of a time trying to satisfy all of the department managers. If I give engineering prime-time use of the facility, then quality control and manufacturing say that I’m playing favorites. Imagine that! Even my own people say that I’m playing favorites with other directorates. I just can’t satisfy everyone.” Facilities Scheduling at Mayer Manufacturing 475 1321.ch12 11/3/05 9:27 AM Page 475 Gary: “Well, Eddie, you know that this problem comes with the job. You’ll get the job done.” Eddie: “The problem is that I’m a section supervisor and have to work with department managers. These department managers look down on me like I’m their servant. If I were a department manager, then they’d show me some respect. What I’m really trying to say is that I would like you to send out the weekly memos to these department managers telling them of the new priorities. They wouldn’t argue with you like they do with me. I can supply you with all the necessary information. All you’ll have to do is to sign your name.” Gary: “Determining the priorities and scheduling the facilities is your job, not mine. This is a new position and I want you to handle it. I know you can because I selected you. I do not intend to interfere.” During the next two weeks, the conflicts got progressively worse. Eddie felt that he was unable to cope with the situation by himself. The department managers did not respect the authority delegated to him by his superiors. For the next two weeks, Eddie sent memos to Gary in the early part of the week asking whether Gary agreed with the priority list. There was no response to the two memos. Eddie then met with Gary to discuss the deteriorating situation. Eddie: “Gary, I’ve sent you two memos to see if I’m doing anything wrong in establishing the weekly priorities and schedules. Did you get my memos?” Gary: “Yes, I received your memos. But as I told you before, I have enough problems to worry about without doing your job for you. If you can’t handle the work, let me know and I’ll find someone who can.” Eddie returned to his desk and contemplated his situation. Finally, he made a decision. Next week he was going to put a signature block under his for Gary to sign, with carbon copies for all division managers. “Now, let’s see what happens,” remarked Eddie.

1. What is the executive summary and the conclusion of this case?

2. What was the decision of Eddie at the end of the case?

Answer 1

1. The case deals with Eddie, who is scheduling lead at the new created Engineering research laboratory. All 3 main teams- quality control, manufacturing and engineering want to use the lab and there is limited time available- which is creating conflicts. Eddie, who is the scheduler, is being accused of playing favorites. Eddie wants Gary, who is his department manager, to approve the schedule that Eddit creates. Especially because Eddie is not department manager and hence other department managers dont listen to him.
Gary disagrees as he thinks its Eddie's job to handle scheduling properly.
In the conclusion, Eddie decides to just put a blank space with Gary's signature pending, in the weekly schedule.

2. At the end, Eddie decided to put a blank space where Gary is supposed to sign, but decided to share the weekly schedule with all department managers without Gary's sign.

Effectively, Eddie is forcing both the scheduling managers to agree to schedule. The other department managers would think that Gary has approved the schedule. He is also forcing Gary to know that he is involved in the process and has a stake in it.