THE CROSS ARMS DILEMMA Work on the Addison-Smithfield section of the new power line was progressing...

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THE CROSS ARMS DILEMMA Work on the Addison-Smithfield section of the new power line was progressing well. All of the poles had been manufactured, tested and received. Foundation work was 30 percent complete and 10 percent of the poles had been erected. None of the wire had been strung yet. The engineering consultants had completed their assignment. The graceful new poles had already attracted favorable attention from Moren employees and the public. On February 24, on a clear, crisp day, almost two years after the top management had approved the new line, the bad news hit like a thunderbolt. The cross arms on several of the newly installed poles were hanging limply along the pole for no apparent reason! Consternation struck Moren headquarters. Weather conditions during the last month had been ideal. The previous night there had been only a light breeze. Engineering tests of poles and cross arms showed that all specifications had been met. The installation contractor had followed proper procedures as far as anyone could tell. A helicopter was used to inspect all poles and no visible defects appeared on the cross arms which had not collapsed. Although speculation abounded no one could assign a cause for the defects. Moren engineers dismantled the stricken poles and took sections into the laboratory. No one was sure how long it would be before an explanation could be found. Mr. Carter wondered what action, if any, he should take with respect to the three subcontractors used on the project, the engineering consultants, the pole manufacturer and the erector had all been involved at various stages. sections into the laboratory. No one was sure how long it would be before an explanation could be found. Mr. Carter wondered what action, if any, he should take with respect to the three subcontractors used on the project, the engineering consultants, the pole manufacturer and the erector had all been involved at various stages. Whether all or any were to blame for the current mishap was not clear. Within 24 hours of the first report of cross arm failure, three additional poles showed cross arms collapse. Monday, October 24, 2022 Fall 2022 | Week 09 Issues: Quality Failure Supplier Relations Trouble Shooting THE CROSS ARMS DILEMMA Q: What action should the supply group take with its suppliers now that cross arm failure has occurred? Page 1 of 2 Q: If you were in the position of Mr. Carter, what action would you take immediately upon receipt of the news that the cross arms had failed? Q: What action should the supply group take with its suppliers now that cross arm failure has occurred? Issues: Quality Failure Supplier Relations Trouble Shooting Q: If you were in the position of Mr. Carter, what action would you take immediately upon receipt of the news that the cross arms had failed? SITUATION QUESTIONS: 1. Is the reason for failure clear to you? 2. Would you stop further manufacturing of the poles? 3. Would you stop further erection and foundation work? 4. Who is going to be responsible for the extra charges which will be incurred because of this unfortunate event? 5. What are your expectations of the engineering consultant now? 6. What is your longer term plan of action to address this issue? THE CROSS ARMS DILEMMA Work on the Addison-Smithfield section of the new power line was progressing well. All of the poles had been manufactured, tested and received. Foundation work was 30 percent complete and 10 percent of the poles had been erected. None of the wire had been strung yet. The engineering consultants had completed their assignment. The graceful new poles had already attracted favorable attention from Moren employees and the public. On February 24, on a clear, crisp day, almost two years after the top management had approved the new line, the bad news hit like a thunderbolt. The cross arms on several of the newly installed poles were hanging limply along the pole for no apparent reason! Consternation struck Moren headquarters. Weather conditions during the last month had been ideal. The previous night there had been only a light breeze. Engineering tests of poles and cross arms showed that all specifications had been met. The installation contractor had followed proper procedures as far as anyone could tell. A helicopter was used to inspect all poles and no visible defects appeared on the cross arms which had not collapsed. Although speculation abounded no one could assign a cause for the defects. Moren engineers dismantled the stricken poles and took sections into the laboratory. No one was sure how long it would be before an explanation could be found. Mr. Carter wondered what action, if any, he should take with respect to the three subcontractors used on the project, the engineering consultants, the pole manufacturer and the erector had all been involved at various stages. sections into the laboratory. No one was sure how long it would be before an explanation could be found. Mr. Carter wondered what action, if any, he should take with respect to the three subcontractors used on the project, the engineering consultants, the pole manufacturer and the erector had all been involved at various stages. Whether all or any were to blame for the current mishap was not clear. Within 24 hours of the first report of cross arm failure, three additional poles showed cross arms collapse. Monday, October 24, 2022 Fall 2022 | Week 09 Issues: Quality Failure Supplier Relations Trouble Shooting THE CROSS ARMS DILEMMA Q: What action should the supply group take with its suppliers now that cross arm failure has occurred? Page 1 of 2 Q: If you were in the position of Mr. Carter, what action would you take immediately upon receipt of the news that the cross arms had failed? Q: What action should the supply group take with its suppliers now that cross arm failure has occurred? Issues: Quality Failure Supplier Relations Trouble Shooting Q: If you were in the position of Mr. Carter, what action would you take immediately upon receipt of the news that the cross arms had failed? SITUATION QUESTIONS: 1. Is the reason for failure clear to you? 2. Would you stop further manufacturing of the poles? 3. Would you stop further erection and foundation work? 4. Who is going to be responsible for the extra charges which will be incurred because of this unfortunate event? 5. What are your expectations of the engineering consultant now? 6. What is your longer term plan of action to address this issue?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

If I were in the position of Mr Carter the first action I would take immediately upon receipt of the news that the cross arms had failed would be to initiate a thorough investigation to determine the ... View the full answer