To: Christopher Martin, James Cameron
From: Brian Hou
Subject: Consumer Products International Recommendation

After reviewing the business case for the Consumer Products International HR-Intranet and Virtual University, I have a few questions that I believe are important in fully understanding before making a final decision on whether or not to pursue implementation.

First, after reading the material, I am still a bit unclear as to exactly how some of the problems mentioned in the description section will be solved. For example, I completely agree that a lack of integration of platforms and systems can be deleterious towards overall operational efficiency. Similarly, having different platforms for different systems is wasteful as well. However, in reading the description of scope of the project, I am not clear as to how these problems will be addressed. There are statements alluding to greater integration flexibility and what content will be available but I’m not sure that this information is enough to represent a clear solution. The key mechanisms driving the improved integration are not well defined.

Secondly, I think it is difficult to analyze exactly how much benefit the various implementations would produce. For example, by changing the training program, you would be introducing many new variables into that process. As a result, there is no guarantee that this would be more cost-effective in the long run than the status quo. For example, having a self-development process relying solely on e-mail would seemingly greatly improve the flexibility. However, this could lead to worse (or better) training for the employees. It is nearly impossible to forecast an accurate cost/benefit analysis for this example and this is a similar problem for other aspects of the Virtual University.

Lastly, as a result of what I previously mentioned, the sections relating to quantifiable costs and benefits are unreliable. As presented, the tables shown are not substantiated by any relevant data supporting the numbers. It’s possible that the figures are relatively accurate but until there is a breakdown showing exactly how those figures were calculated I believe they are unacceptable.

I would like to mention that if indeed there is data to support many of the claims made in the presentation, moving forward with the Virtual University implementation could be a good idea. The unquantifiable costs mentioned near the end of the report can definitely be improved upon leading to greater efficiency. My recommendation is to press for more information and data that explains some of the technical aspects of the proposed improvements to see if they corroborate what the University claims to fix. Specifically, it would be necessary to explore the mechanisms behind system integrations and the cost/benefit figures before making any decisions.