Gap Analysis: Harrison-Keyes
A global publisher of print products, Harrison-Keyes specialized in traditional publishing and has been regarded as a leader in the industry since the mid ?50s. The company has developed a name for itself through the publishing of texts, journals and other educational material. However, a new era has brought about new challenges for the publishing industry and Harrison-Keyes cannot compete with the low-cost retailers. Harrison-Keyes determined that digital publishing and the sale of e-books is their answer to remaining competitive in the publishing industry.
Harrison-Keyes has continued to face new challenges in their attempt to provide innovative services. The former CEO, who introduced the e-book publishing idea, has been replaced and a lack of project support from senior management has become apparent. Asia Digital Publishing has experienced a natural disaster and Harrison-Keyes, without a contingency plan, must find a replacement firm to perform its digital formatting. Employees are feeling threatened due to rumors of outsourcing and have left the company to accept job opportunities with competing publishing companies. Corporate and project strategy are not aligned and the failures of the project are directly related to the lack of project controls.
Situation Analysis
Issue and Opportunity Identification
Harrison-Keyes is faced with the opportunity to redefine its corporate and project strategy in order to resolve the many issues that have surfaced in their attempt to enter the digital publishing industry. The project managers must understand that in order to be successful in their endeavors, they must earn the trust and loyalty from their employees as well as senior management. Resistance to the project strategy will need ...