An engineering firm won a $$2,000,000$ contract to develop a blade spar for helicopters. The

blade spar is a metal tube that runs the length of and provides strength to the helicopter blade.

Due to the special length and size of the blade, the firm is unable to produce a single$-$piece blade

spar of the required dimensions using existing extrusion equipment and material. The

engineering department has prepared two alternatives for developing the blade spar: $(1)$

sectioning or $(2)$ an improved extrusion process. The firm must decide which process to use.

$($Backing out of the contract at any point is not an option.$)$ The risk report has been prepared by

the engineering department. The information from this report is explained next.

The sectioning option involves joining several shorter lengths of extruded metal into a blade spar

of sufficient length. This work will require extensive testing and rework over $12$ months at a

total cost of $$1,800,000.$ Although this process will definitely produce an adequate blade spar, it

merely represents an extension of existing technology.

To improve the extrusion process, on the other hand, it will be necessary to perform two steps:

$(1)$ improve the material used, at a cost of $$300,000$ and $(2)$ modify the extrusion press, at a cost

of $$960,000.$ The first step will require six months of work, and if this first step is successful, the

second step will require another six months of work. If both steps are successful, the blade spar

will be available at that time, that is$,$ a year from now. The engineers estimate that the

probabilities of succeeding in Steps $1$ and $2$ are $0\mathrm{.}90$ and $0\mathrm{.}75,$ respectively. However, if either

step is unsuccessful $($which will be known only in six months for Step $1$ and in a year for Step $2),$

The firm will have no alternative but to switch to the sectioning process $-$ and incur the

sectioning cost on top of any costs already incurred.

Development of the blade spar must be completed within $18$ months to avoid holding up the rest

of the contract. If necessary, the sectioning work can be done on an accelerated basis in six

months, but the cost of sectioning will then increase from $$1\mathrm{.}8$ million to $$2\mathrm{.}4$ million. The

Chief Engineer, Dr$.$ Whitmann, wants to try developing an improved extrusion process. Dr$.$

Whitmann reasons that this is not only cheaper $($if successful$)$ for the current project, but its

expected side benefits for future projects could be sizable. Although these side benefits are

difficult to gauge, Dr$.$ Whitmann's best guess is an additional $$2$ million. $($These side benefits

are obtained only if both steps of the modified extrusion process are completed successfully.$)$

Develop a decision tree to maximize the firm's EMV. This includes the revenue from this

project, the side benefits $($if applicable$)$ from an improved extrusion process, and relevant costs.

You do not need to worry about the time value of money; that is$,$ no discounting or net present

values are required. What value of side benefits would make the firm indifferent between the

two alternatives? How much would the firm be willing to pay, right now, for perfect information

about both steps of the improved extrusion process? $($This information would tell this

engineering firm, right now, the ultimate success or failure outcomes of both steps.$)$

Develop a decision tree to maximize the engineering firm's EMV. This includes the revenue

from this project, the side benefits $($if applicable$)$ from an improved extrusion process, and

relevant costs. You do not need to worry about the time value of money; that is$,$ no

discounting or net present values are required.

Include your decision tree here and comment on the recommended action.

What value of side benefits would make the firm indifferent between the two alternatives?

$($See hints posted on Canvas.$)$

How much would the firm be willing to pay, right now, for perfect information about both

steps of the improved extrusion process? $($This information would tell the firm, right now,

the ultimate success or failure outcomes of both steps.$)$

$****$Please show excel sheet and formulas