Question:
An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is complete the project in next two years by 30 June 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which to not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue working with same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is far relative of the minister, and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor.
a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager?
b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager?
c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges?
d) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team? (250 words, 20 marks)
Answer:
Developmental initiatives by the government of the day aim at providing infrastructural connectivity as well as gaining votes for next elections. But overlooking the faults for narrow political gains will not just put several lives in danger but also increases the economic costs of the project in long-term.
Stakeholders in the case study:
1. Me as the project manager
2. Chief Minister of the state
3. Inspection team
4. Chief Engineer
5. Contractor
6. Society at large
7. Workers in the project
8. Daily commuters
a) Options available with the project management
1. To overlook the minor fault and continue the project so that it is completed within time, as required by the Chief Minister of the state. It will be good for my career.
2. Ignore the Chief Engineer advice and continue with the repair works even if it takes 4-6 months. Safety of people shall be given highest priority. Internal whistleblowing can be done if chief engineer create hurdle in the rectification process.
3. Anonymously leak the news to the press about cracks in the piers. Media will put pressure on the management to correct the course.
4. I can consult my colleagues and other professionals in the field regarding what should be my course of action. Experts’ advice would be taken about the safety of the project and a comprehensive report shall be prepared accordingly. The report shall be shared with Chief minister and senior management.
b) Ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager
1. Timely service delivery vs Quality service delivery
2. Ensuring the structural integrity of the project or following the advice of the senior because of hierarchy.
3. Means (development of faulty structure) vs. ends (political gains) debate
4. Demotivation of the inspecting team by not following their advice or following their first-hand report and implementing changes as required.
5. Inquiry against the contractor for using sub-standard materials and not following the structural norms vs contractor’s relationship with the CM of the state.
6. Personal growth as I will be promoted to Additional Chief Engineer against the public interest of getting a strong and resilient structure.
7. Obedience to authority and loyalty to the government vs. virtues of rationality, objectivity, intellectual courage and integrity.
c) Professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager
1. Ignorance to safety will be against professional code.
2. Difference of opinion between the Project manager and the chief engineer can create a logjam.
3. Project Manager is having limited space in decision making on basis of his professional competence and experience.
4. Lack of support from the colleagues because of the hierarchy and politicization of system.
5. Will result in poor relations with contractor, which might reduce chances of involvement in future projects.
6. Any mis-happening in the current project will tarnish image of project manager.
Responses to overcome such challenges
1. Consensus-based approach can be followed to avoid any difference of opinion. A third-party expert can be appointed in this regard.
2. Make Chief Minister and others (colleagues) aware of ground reality.
3. Seek a fresh quality certification from the contractor ensuring the quality of the project and material used.
4. Ensure handwritten record of the Chief Engineer against any advice which involves overlooking of the fault.
Consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team
1. For the Project Manager
- Instigate sense of cognitive dissonance and guilt along with fear of punishment
- Might have negative repercussions on the career.
2. For the society at large
- It can possibly lead to collapse of the structure, resulting in infrastructure damage and loss of lives.
- Trust deficit between the society and the government.
3. For on the Chief Minister and state
- Possible collapse of structure will be an electoral loss
- Huge redevelopment cost and associated issues for the state.
- Loss to public exchequer
4. For the contractor
- Cancellation of future projects
- Might lead to enquires and probes under legal process.
As a public servant, I should handle these situations in an intelligent manner so that public safety, which is of prime importance, shall never be compromised. One cannot ignore long-term harm for short-term benefit. Ignoring the problems will only increase them in future.