Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Leadership & Managing People
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A)
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)-formally part of the California Institute of Technology-is one of a number of federally funded research institutions within NASA, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. JPL has played a large role in many space and planetary explorations, and in particular in missions to the planet Mars. As a project-based organization, JPL has many opportunities to learn between successive missions, but there are also many challenges to the development and exchange of experience-based knowledge. The main case decision point focuses on one such challenge in particular: how to instill in junior engineers the practice-based experience of their seniors. Jennifer Trosper, project manager for the Mars 2020 mission, is trying to decide whether or not to seek funding for a hands-on training program building miniature, educational versions of a Mars surface vehicle. However, the cases address a number of other decisions, such as determining the balance between innovation and replication of prior solutions, given that Trosper has been charged with re-using engineering designs from prior projects, but for an expanded mission. The cases also explore generic knowledge-transfer issues faced by JPL's Chief Knowledge Officer, David Oberhettinger, such as the role of documentation, uses of formal "lessons learned," and how best to use the scarce time of the most valuable JPL engineers.
Swot Analysis of "Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A)" written by Dorothy Leonard, Christopher Myers includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Jpl Mars facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Labor and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) casestudy better are - – customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, wage bills are increasing, technology disruption, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs,
increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing energy prices, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Jpl Mars, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Jpl Mars operates in.
According to Harvard Business Review, 75% of the managers use SWOT analysis for various purposes such as – evaluating current scenario, strategic planning, new venture feasibility, personal growth goals, new market entry, Go To market strategies, portfolio management and strategic trade-off assessment, organizational restructuring, etc.
SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix
SWOT analysis of Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Jpl Mars
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Leadership & Managing People field.
4. Making a Leadership & Managing People topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Jpl Mars
Strengths Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Jpl Mars in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Diverse revenue streams
– Jpl Mars is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Jpl Mars in the sector have low bargaining power. Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Jpl Mars to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Strong track record of project management
– Jpl Mars is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Digital Transformation in Leadership & Managing People segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Jpl Mars digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Jpl Mars has successfully integrated the four key components of digital transformation – digital integration in processes, digital integration in marketing and customer relationship management, digital integration into the value chain, and using technology to explore new products and market opportunities.
Organizational Resilience of Jpl Mars
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Jpl Mars does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Ability to lead change in Leadership & Managing People field
– Jpl Mars is one of the leading players in its industry. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in its segment but also across the whole industry. The ability to lead change has enabled Jpl Mars in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
High brand equity
– Jpl Mars has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Jpl Mars to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Leadership & Managing People industry
– Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Jpl Mars to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Jpl Mars to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Learning organization
- Jpl Mars is a learning organization. It has inculcated three key characters of learning organization in its processes and operations – exploration, creativity, and expansiveness. The work place at Jpl Mars is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Analytics focus
– Jpl Mars is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Dorothy Leonard, Christopher Myers can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Jpl Mars has highly efficient outsourcing and offshoring strategy. It has resulted in greater operational flexibility and bringing down the costs in highly price sensitive segment. Secondly the value chain collaborators of the firm in Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Jpl Mars is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Weaknesses Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) are -
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A), in the dynamic environment Jpl Mars has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Jpl Mars has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Jpl Mars is planning to shift buying processes online.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Jpl Mars has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Jpl Mars even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A), it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Leadership & Managing People strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) HBR case study mentions - Jpl Mars takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) has high operating costs in the. This can be harder to sustain given the new emerging competition from nimble players who are using technology to attract Jpl Mars 's lucrative customers.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A), is just above the industry average. Jpl Mars needs to redesign the compensation structure and incentives to increase the revenue per employees. Some of the steps that it can take are – hiring more specialists on project basis, etc.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Jpl Mars has not been able to do capital spending to the tune of the competition. This has resulted into fewer innovations and company facing stiff competition from both existing competitors and new entrants who are disrupting the industry using digital technology.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Jpl Mars is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Leadership & Managing People segment. Jpl Mars needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Jpl Mars to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Jpl Mars supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Jpl Mars vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Jpl Mars has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.
Opportunities Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The opportunities highlighted in the Harvard Business Review case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) are -
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Jpl Mars to increase its market reach. Jpl Mars will be able to reach out to new customers. Secondly 5G will also provide technology framework to build new tools and products that can help more immersive consumer experience and faster consumer journey.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Jpl Mars can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Jpl Mars is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) case study suggests that firm can utilize new technology to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.
Manufacturing automation
– Jpl Mars can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Leadership & Managing People segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Leadership & Managing People industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Jpl Mars can take advantage of these changes in consumer behavior to build a far more efficient business model. For example consumer regular ordering of products can reduce both last mile delivery costs and market penetration costs. Jpl Mars can further use this consumer data to build better customer loyalty, provide better products and service collection, and improve the value proposition in inflationary times.
Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions
– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Jpl Mars in the consumer business. Now Jpl Mars can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Buying journey improvements
– Jpl Mars can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) suggest that firm can provide automated chats to help consumers solve their own problems, provide online suggestions to get maximum out of the products and services, and help consumers to build a community where they can interact with each other to develop new features and uses.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Jpl Mars can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Jpl Mars operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Leadership & Managing People sector.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Jpl Mars in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Leadership & Managing People segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Reconfiguring business model
– The expansion of digital payment system, the bringing down of international transactions costs using Bitcoin and other blockchain based currencies, etc can help Jpl Mars to reconfigure its entire business model. For example it can used blockchain based technologies to reduce piracy of its products in the big markets such as China. Secondly it can use the popularity of e-commerce in various developing markets to build a Direct to Customer business model rather than the current Channel Heavy distribution network.
Loyalty marketing
– Jpl Mars has focused on building a highly responsive customer relationship management platform. This platform is built on in-house data and driven by analytics and artificial intelligence. The customer analytics can help the organization to fine tune its loyalty marketing efforts, increase the wallet share of the organization, reduce wastage on mainstream advertising spending, build better pricing strategies using personalization, etc.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Jpl Mars to conduct training and development for its employees across the world. This will result in not only reducing the cost of training but also help employees in different part of the world to integrate with the headquarter work culture, ethos, and standards.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Jpl Mars can build a diversified supply chain model across various countries in - South East Asia, India, and other parts of the world. This reconfiguration of global supply chain can help, as suggested in case study, Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A), to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Threats Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) are -
Environmental challenges
– Jpl Mars needs to have a robust strategy against the disruptions arising from climate change and energy requirements. EU has identified it as key priority area and spending 30% of its 880 billion Euros European post Covid-19 recovery funds on green technology. Jpl Mars can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Jpl Mars can face lack of demand in the market place because of Fed actions to reduce inflation. This can lead to sluggish growth in the economy, lower demands, lower investments, higher borrowing costs, and consolidation in the field.
Technology disruption because of hacks, piracy etc
– The colonial pipeline illustrated, how vulnerable modern organization are to international hackers, miscreants, and disruptors. The cyber security interruption, data leaks, etc can seriously jeopardize the future growth of the organization.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Leadership & Managing People field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Jpl Mars can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Increasing wage structure of Jpl Mars
– Post Covid-19 there is a sharp increase in the wages especially in the jobs that require interaction with people. The increasing wages can put downward pressure on the margins of Jpl Mars.
Regulatory challenges
– Jpl Mars needs to prepare for regulatory challenges as consumer protection groups and other pressure groups are vigorously advocating for more regulations on big business - to reduce inequality, to create a level playing field, to product data privacy and consumer privacy, to reduce the influence of big money on democratic institutions, etc. This can lead to significant changes in the Leadership & Managing People industry regulations.
High level of anxiety and lack of motivation
– the Great Resignation in United States is the sign of broader dissatisfaction among the workforce in United States. Jpl Mars needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Leadership & Managing People industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Instability in the European markets
– European Union markets are facing three big challenges post Covid – expanded balance sheets, Brexit related business disruption, and aggressive Russia looking to distract the existing security mechanism. Jpl Mars will face different problems in different parts of Europe. For example it will face inflationary pressures in UK, France, and Germany, balance sheet expansion and demand challenges in Southern European countries, and geopolitical instability in the Eastern Europe.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Jpl Mars with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Jpl Mars is facing in Leadership & Managing People sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Jpl Mars can face downward pressure on margins from increasing competition from international players. The international players have stable revenue in their home market and can use those resources to penetrate prominent markets illustrated in HBR case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) .
Consumer confidence and its impact on Jpl Mars demand
– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.
Backlash against dominant players
– US Congress and other legislative arms of the government are getting tough on big business especially technology companies. The digital arm of Jpl Mars business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) Template, Example
Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers in the HBR case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) needs to zero down on the relative importance of each factor mentioned in the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants.
We can provide the relative importance to each factor by assigning relative weights. Weighted SWOT analysis process is a three stage process –
First stage for doing weighted SWOT analysis of the case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) is to rank the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This will help you to assess the most important strengths and weaknesses of the firm and which one of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the initial lists are marginal and can be left out.
Second stage for conducting weighted SWOT analysis of the Harvard case study Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) is to give probabilities to the external strategic factors thus better understanding the opportunities and threats arising out of macro environment changes and developments.
Third stage of constructing weighted SWOT analysis of Transferring Knowledge Between Projects at NASA JPL (A) is to provide strategic recommendations includes – joining likelihood of external strategic factors such as opportunities and threats to the internal strategic factors – strengths and weaknesses. You should start with external factors as they will provide the direction of the overall industry. Secondly by joining probabilities with internal strategic factors can help the company not only strategic fit but also the most probably strategic trade-off that Jpl Mars needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.