1. List and describe the information requirements of HPC’s new management system. What problems was the new system designed to solve?
2. To what extent were “people” problems affecting management decision making at HPC? What were some of the management, organization, and technology issues that had to be addressed by the new system? How did the system’s designers make the system more “people- friendly?”
3. What role did end users play in developing HPC’s new system? How did the project team make sure users were involved? What would have happened to the project if they had not done this?
4. What other steps did HPC take to make sure the system was successful?
5. What types of system- building methods and tools did HPC use for building its system?
6. What were the benefits of the new system? How did it change the way Honam ran its business? How successful was this system solution?

You may soon hear more about Honam Petrochemical Corporation (HPC). Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, this company manufactures and sells petrochemical products, including synthetic resins; synthetic industrial materials, including ethylene glycol and ethylene oxide for making polyester; automobile antifreeze solutions; benzene; propylene; and ethylene. HPC has about 1,700 employees, and its 2011 revenues were close to US$ 7.3 billion. It’s a leader in Korea’s heavy chemical industry. HPC’s primary market is South Korea, but the company has set its sights on becoming a top-tier chemical company throughout Asia and achieving sales of US$ 10 billion. Honam plans to do this by strengthening its existing businesses, extending its overseas business, and developing new businesses. Honam has nine affiliate companies in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, and overseas branches in Shanghai, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Moscow, and New York City.