The Carabian conundrum

The `Carabian conundrum¿ is a fictitious case study based on a live automation contract. Each chapter will concern itself with a particular phase of project management. In particular, the firm´s response to different situations will be described. In the first chapter, printed in July, you were introduced to Iloma Systems Ltd., a small `projects¿ company within the giant Thanrico International. Through Iloma´s agent in Carabia, a small South American state, it had entered into preliminary discussions about the possibility of tendering for a radar automation contract about to be let by the country´s nationalised communication company, CITE. Rough estimates had indicated that the job would be worth £4 million and take two years to complete. After considering the problems involved the Board had instructed the Projects Director to proceed with preparing a detailed strategy document describing the methods to be adopted to reduce the inherent risks. We are asking you to be involved-to analyse the situation and propose action which you believe the firm should have taken based on your experience. A selection of responses will be printed in a future edition. If you feel you have something to offer, please respond to David Overton at the address shown below.