Imagine that you are a consultant for MBT, a company that manufactures USB storage devices. The company is enjoying fast-paced growth, but collaboration

and innovation have been hindered by the unwillingness of senior employees to adopt new collaboration tools and strategies. The company has a culture of

promoting from within, and some of the new managers have vast technical expertise; however, they lack management experience. As a result, they are having

difficulty managing their teams during a time of growth and restructuring. In addition, a new help-desk department has been created in the Philippines.

There is currently a conflict between the hardware and software development departments over who owns the overall design and development process of new models. Project managers from both departments want control of the process with the other department having accountability only for the timeline. The CEO is considering a proposal from the project managers to restructure the departments into teams composed of one or more hardware engineers, one or more software developers, and a project manager, where each team will control the timeline for its products. However, the executive management team noticed that all three teams have distinct personalities and working styles. They are concerned that while the proposed structure might improve productivity, it might also make it difficult to manage the teams.

You will complete two different deliverables that together count for your final assessment in the class: a written report and a training presentation. Your report will be written for the executive management team recommending a type of team leadership, selecting collaboration tools, and identifying techniques for conflict resolution. You will also assess how the companys diversity affects collaboration and conflict resolution. You will conclude your report with your evaluation of the proposed restructuring. You will also prepare a supporting training presentation for the team leaders and department heads on appropriate leadership styles for different personality types, collaboration tools, and conflict resolution techniques. You will also explain the importance of diversity in the company workforce.

The following critical elements must be addressed:

Deliverable I: Prepare a report for the executive management team in which you address the following:

I. Introduction: What is your purpose in writing this report? Consider your audience and make sure to explain that you have evaluated the

proposed restructuring and will make recommendations regarding leadership styles, collaboration tools, conflict resolution, and diversity.

II. Team Leadership Recommendation: Recommend a type of team leadership for the new teams if the restructuring is adopted. What

type of leadership would be most appropriate for the new teams if they are restructured? Which leadership theory or theories support your recommendation?

III. Collaboration Tools

A. Selection: Think about collaboration tools that you have reviewed. Select at least three collaboration tools you feel would be appropriate for

the current team structure. Explain why you selected these tools. How would these tools help facilitate communication and collaboration

between the hardware, software, and project management teams?

B. Grid: Develop a cross-reference grid to display which of these collaboration tools are suited for each team (hardware, software, and project

management). Each row should be labeled with a collaboration tool, and each column should be labeled with a team. An X or a

checkmark should be placed in the appropriate box on the grid. This link has an example of a cross-reference grid.

A. Correctly identify the conflict resolution technique that will be applied if the teams are restructured. What are the pros and cons of using this technique?

B. Current Conflict Resolution Strategies: Identify problem-solving and conflict resolution strategies the company can implement to address the current conflict if the restructuring does not take place. What techniques and problem-solving strategies can the company apply to the

current situation?

C. Conflict Resolution Planning: Identify problem solving and conflict resolution strategies the company can implement in anticipation of future conflict. In other words, what strategies can the company use to address future conflicts whether or not the restructuring takes place?

Consider the addition of the new help-desk team in the Philippines in your answer.

V. Diversity

A. Assessment: How is diversity important in this company and in the composition of teams? Assess how diversity affects communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution strategies in the company.

B. Application: How will the addition of the help-desk team in the Philippines affect the diversity of the company? For example, one thing to consider is how cultural diversity may affect successful communication and collaboration.

VI. Evaluation of Restructuring: Conclude your report by evaluating the proposed restructuring. Consider the current state of the company, the conflicts, and the growth rate. Is the restructuring appropriate? Why or why not? Make sure to include reasons or research to support your evaluation.

Deliverable II: Prepare a training presentation for team leaders and department heads in which you cover the Following:

I. Personality Types: Discuss the different personality types in taxonomy. How do these personality types relate to the roles and team compositions at the company?

II. Leadership Styles: Describe different leadership styles discussed in the course. How do they relate to personality types, specialized roles, and team compositions in the company?

III. Collaboration Tools: Explain the rationale for using collaboration tools to communicate within teams and across teams. How will this benefit the company? What can the company do to prepare for collaboration with the new help-desk members?

IV. Conflict Resolution Techniques: Provide an overview of conflict resolution techniques. How do these relate to the company? How do these relate to the current conflict over which team owns the design and development process?

V. Elements of Diversity: Explain the importance of diversity in the company. What elements of diversity should be considered? How can diversity enhance or hinder collaboration?