BADM 532_Activity 8

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Apr 3, 2024

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Activity Eight Shreyanshkumar Sonavale Department of MS Finance University of the Cumberlands BADM532:  Organizational Behavior Dr. Christie Oliver October 22, 2023
Title: Escalation of Commitment and Its Implications in Organizational Behavior Introduction Escalation of commitment refers to the tendency to persist with an ineffective course of action despite negative feedback or diminishing returns. This phenomenon is a critical aspect of organizational behavior, as it can lead to significant resource waste and poor decision- making. In this discussion, I will describe a personal experience of escalation of commitment and reflect on how I handled it, along with whether I wish I had approached it differently. Escalation of Commitment Experience A few years ago, I was part of a cross-functional team in a technology company tasked with developing a new software product. We initially had a well-defined project plan and timeline, and the team was enthusiastic about the project's potential. However, as we progressed, several issues arose, including scope changes, technical challenges, and resource constraints. These challenges resulted in project delays and cost overruns. Despite these difficulties, I, along with other team members, was committed to seeing the project through to completion. As the project manager, I felt personally responsible for its success. This sense of responsibility and the desire to avoid admitting failure to senior management and stakeholders led to a classic case of escalation of commitment. What I Did About It As the problems persisted and the project's effectiveness deteriorated, I realized that we were trapped in a cycle of escalation. At that point, I took several steps to address the situation: 1. Reassessment: I initiated a comprehensive review of the project's status, including an evaluation of the original goals, objectives, and expected outcomes. This involved a critical analysis of the challenges we faced and their impact on the project.
2. Open Communication: I fostered open and honest communication within the team. We encouraged team members to voice their concerns and share their perspectives on the project's status without fear of blame or judgment. 3. Stakeholder Involvement: I engaged stakeholders, including senior management, in discussions about the project's challenges. It was essential to bring transparency to the issues and seek their input on potential solutions. 4. Alternative Solutions: We explored alternative approaches to the project, including revising the scope, adjusting the timeline, and reallocating resources. This step aimed to find a more effective course of action. 5. Decision to Pivot: Ultimately, after careful consideration and with input from the team and stakeholders, we decided to pivot the project. This meant revisiting our original goals, redefining success, and making significant changes to the project plan. Do I Wish I Had Handled It Differently? Reflecting on this experience, I believe that the actions I took to address the escalation of commitment were appropriate. I do not wish I had handled it differently, as the steps taken were in line with principles of effective organizational behavior. Acknowledging and addressing the escalation of commitment was crucial in preventing further resource waste and moving toward a more viable course of action. However, if I were to suggest an improvement, it would be to address the signs of escalation of commitment earlier in the project. Recognizing the issue at an earlier stage would have allowed us to pivot sooner, potentially saving time and resources. This experience has reinforced the importance of regular project assessments and the need to remain vigilant for signs of commitment escalation.
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