Harvest City: The Intelligent Procurement System Project

Lynda M. Applegate; Ramiro  Montealegre

Case | HBS Case Collection | May 2018

Harvest City: The Intelligent Procurement System Project

by Lynda M. Applegate and Ramiro Montealegre

Abstract

The Harvest City case describes the implementation of a cloud- and IoT-based intelligent procurement system at a new convention complex in the U.S. Midwest. The decision to build a convention complex is a strategic initiative for this city and involves extensive use of information technology. The risk of implementation failure is high. Such failures are costly, highly visible, and affect multiple stakeholders. This case explores the challenges of large-scale, computer-based system implementation by examining the events, decisions, and actions taken to implement the intelligent procurement system at Harvest City. This case helps students to reflect on and discuss the challenges of implementing IT-enabled change initiatives, especially those that require streamlined and integrated inter-organizational processes. The case discussion gives students insight into what factors influence the success and failure of IT projects.

Keywords: Information Technology; Projects; Management; Decision Making; Business and Government Relations; Information Technology Industry;

Language: English

Format: Print

9 pages

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Citation:

Applegate, Lynda M., and Ramiro Montealegre. "Harvest City: The Intelligent Procurement System Project." Harvard Business School Brief Case 918-507, May 2018.

Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2019 (Revised August 2020)

The Predictive Index

Lynda M. Applegate and James Weber

Mike Zani and Daniel Muzquiz needed to decide next steps to create a new category in the human resources consulting industry and scale their company.
Zani and Muzquiz, serial entrepreneurs, acquired Predictive Index in 2014. Previously, as clients of the 65-year-old Predictive Index, they had used its behavioral assessment tool to help them hire staff and build teams and they strongly believed in its value. They also believed, however, that Predictive Index had the potential to be something more. After acquiring the company, they invested in technology and people to modernize the business, and Predictive Index earned recognition as a “best place to work.” In 2018, they developed a Talent Optimization platform, an offering that had the potential to transform the industry by helping companies align their business strategies with their human capital and leadership development strategies. In late 2019, as they prepared a broad rollout of Talent Optimization, and planned to scale their business by an order of magnitude, the pair wondered what hurdles they might face along the way and what other steps they should take to reach their goals.

Keywords: Human Resources; Selection and Staffing; Talent and Talent Management; Recruitment; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Venture Capital; Change Management; Disruptive Innovation; Market Platforms; Growth and Development Strategy; Consulting Industry; Service Industry; United States;