Dominic Young

Karl Henderson Managing Virtual Teams – Metrionic Systems

10/5/2018
Introduction and Summary
Karl Henderson is a senior manager at Metrionic Systems and is in charge of managing a
team with members located in five different continents. The work he does at the company
consists of designing routers and testing chips after they have been produced to ensure they are
working properly. Henderson was not handed this job however his years of service with the
company, his consistency, and his reliability have all propelled him in his career.

Recently Metrionic Systems has been the victim of many hacking scandals to their
systems. As a result, the VP of network products wants to improve their network security devices
and take additional steps to put an end to systems frequently being hacked. Henderson has been
given the head position in the operation of creating a new network security device. Henderson’s
supervisor has provided him a more than adequate team to work with however each team
member is located on a different continent. Henderson must learn how to efficiently
communicate with his team and figure out a way in which they can work together to put an end
to the hacking at Metrionic Systems.

Statement of the Problem

A. Establishing a strong path of communication throughout the team through which they
can work efficiently.
I. Symptoms
 Hacking resulted in need for improved system
 Henderson must establish a communication form as a result of
distance
II. Root Causes
 Distance does not allow for the team to meet in person
 Members may use different types of technology and data which
could result in different programming problems
 Members live in different time zones which could also be a
struggle for some
III. Henderson must bring this diverse team together in a way in which
they are all comfortable with the technology being used and the times
and conditions under which they meet.

Decision Criteria and Alternate Solutions

A. An effective solution to this problem allows for the team members to communicate
easily and at measures at which they are going to be able to produce. It will also allow
for team members to use the same technological processes and methods in order to
allow them to create a stronger security system than the last.
B. Alternate Solutions
I. Metrionic Systems could pay for all the members of the team to fly to one
location and meet as needed.
II. Metrionic Systems could establish a centralized database which uses the
same technology in all locations.
Final Recommendation
A. Recommendation
 I. Although it may be less cost effective, Metrionic Systems should fly all
the team members out to one location and house them all there so they can
complete the project in the most time efficient way.
B. Reasons for Recommendation
I. Team communication will be greatly improved while at the same time
eliminating scheduling problems and any technology issues.
C. Risks of Recommendation
I. The company may not want to pay for these expenses, in addition many of
the team members may have obligations at home. For example one of the
team members from Australia, Sarah McGraw, has to tend to her ill father.
This route of action would also require greater planning which may be
outside of Henderson’s capabilities.
D. Response to Risk
I. While there may be some complications in carrying this plan through, it
would allow all the team members to focus on the project. It would
eliminate communication, scheduling, and technology issues. Henderson
could also talk to his supervisors about how to make this happen and avoid
scheduling conflicts.