Case $12\mathrm{.}2$

The Accounting Software Installation Project

Sitting in her office, Karin Chung is reviewing the past four months of the large

corporate accounting software installation project she has been managing. Everything

seemed so well planned before the project started. Each company division had a task

force that provided input into the proposed installation along with potential problems.

Each of the divisions had been trained and briefed on exactly how that division would

interface with and use the forthcoming accounting software. All six contractors, which

included one of the Big Four consulting companies, assisted in developing the work

breakdown structure$$costs$,$ specifications, and time.

Karin hired a consultant to conduct a one$-$day $$partnering$$ workshop attended by

the major accounting heads, a member of each task force group, and key representatives

from each of the contractors. During the workshop, several different teambuilding

exercises were used to illustrate the importance of collaboration and effective