HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW CASE STUDY

A Rush to Failure?

A complex project for the space station must come in on time and on budget—but the push for speed might be its undoing.

by Tom Cross

Editor’s Note:

HBR’s case studies present fictionalized accounts of actual dilemmas faced by leaders, and offer solutions from experts.

There is absolutely no reason why the contractors shouldn’t be able to give us rapid product development and flawless products—speed and quality both,” David MacDonagle said as he tried to light a cigarette. The warm wind, portending rain, kept blowing out his matches. Finally he gave up and slipped the cigarette back in his pocket.

MacDonagle, the head of the Canadian Aeronautics Administration, was nervous. Everyone at CAA ...

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