Case Study I
Medical Information System
Arthur Contato Poliseli
Edward Ruppel
Project Management I BA 3110 DAY AA
February 23, 2015

Medical Information System
Summary of the Facts of the Case Maggie Pressman, Paul Goldberg, and Steve Youngblood are equal partners in their own consulting business, which is specialized in design and install computer-based information systems for medicals. These system usually includes patient records, prescriptions, billings, and medical insurance processing, sometimes the medical customers have a manual system and want to computerize it, or they have an existing computer system that needs to be upgraded. Generally, the consulting business provides the necessary hardware as software to its customers, they also install and teach the employees how to use the new resource, because of that, the cost of most of these projects ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the amount of hardware needed. Dr. Houser, one of the doctors for whom Paul had done a project, left her private practice to join a large regional medical practice, which has six offices throughout the region, and two of that also include a pharmacy. So, Dr. Houser contacted Paul to see if he was interested in submitting a proposal to upgrade the information system for the entire regional medical practice, this project will include integrate the six offices and two pharmacies into one system, because presently, each office has its own system. Paus discovered that a team of representatives from the six offices and two pharmacies, with the help of organization’s purchasing manager, has prepared a request of proposal, and the proposals are due in two weeks, and the larger consulting companies received the RFP two weeks before him, because the purchasing manager was not familiar with Paul’s company. Even with the time tighter than to the larger companies, Paul accepted the RFP and enthusiastic took this big project to his partners. Maggie shows herself very busy with three projects, making her without time to spend with a new and big project. Steve was afraid if they could achieve that project, because they usually was doing small projects, and they had other clients to attend too. But Paul replies saying that they could hire more people, and that it was a great opportunity to expand their business.
Answer the Questions 1 – Paul’s consulting company received the request for proposal two weeks after the larger companies because the purchasing manager was not familiar with their company. She did not trust in their company, so as a test she gave half time to them achieve the proposal, just to analyze with they are really competent and good in what they do. 2 – They are considered as a candidate to submit the proposal through Dr. Houser influence. As an old customer from their consulting company, and probably satisfied with their job, she indicate them to this project, trusting in their good work.

3 – Bid / No Bid Checklist Factor | Score* | Comments | 1. Competition | H | There are larger companies working in this proposal. | 2. Risk | L | Do not have what to lose. | 3. Consistent with our mission | M | It is our field, but it is bigger than we are usually to work. | 4. Opportunity to extend our business | H | It is a big company and a bigger project that can promote our company. | 5. Reputation with customer | L | We are not familiar to them. | 6. Availability of funds | M | Unknown. | 7. Resources available to prepare quality proposal | M | Little time to prepare, we will need to work more and harder. | 8. Resources available to perform project | M | We will have to hire people and expand our company. |
*Score is done using: (H) = High; (M) = Medium; (L) = Low.
Our Advantages: It is an opportunity to reach a new level of business, with a bigger company, consequently expand our business.
Our Weakness: We do not have much time to elaborate a proposal; we will need to hire people.

4- They should do the project proposal, as Paul said, this is a great opportunity to expand their company, reach a new level of business, doing bigger projects, developing their own company and resources. To solve the time problem they would have to hire people to help them achieve the proposal on time, working more and harder is possible. As Steve said, they have expertise enough to perform this project, but to achieve a bigger project like this they will need to take risks and expand their business, these risks worthwhile.
Significant Learning Points This case study showed to us how important is do our job with a high level of quality, achieving the customer satisfaction every job. Paul’s consulting company just was considered as candidate to receive a request for proposal because of Dr. Houser, an old client that has already tasted its work, and satisfied indicate his company to do the project. She would not indicate his company if she do not trust in his job and quality. Another indispensable point is the importance of entrepreneur spirit, and the differences that it can achieve. Paul is a really good example of entrepreneurship, he saw this request for proposal as a great opportunity to his company, he understood the opportunity as a door to develop the company and its resources, reach a higher level of customers, and expand and make bigger his company. But every great opportunity just can be enjoyed if you are ready to take risks, if you courage enough to risk some things in exchange for development and growth to your business. You just will know if you could win trying, try is the key to discover if you were ready.
References
Gido, J & Clements, J. (2009). Developing Project Proposals. Successful Project Management, 2, 60-98.