
208 Process Techniques for Engineering High-Performance Materials
Project Organization
… automation applied to an inefcient operation will magnify the
inefciency.
Bill Gates
In the 1850s, an ambitious project was launched to lay a transatlantic tele-
graph cable from Ireland to Newfoundland. A serious error was made early
in the enterprise. Wildman Whitehouse was named as the chief electrician,
responsible for specifying the materials, operating procedures, and equip-
ment. Whitehouse had two serious aws. He had little practical knowledge
in the eld and he would not accept advice or criticism from those who were
knowledgeable.
The team included ...