The Dilemma of a Project Manager

In the last decade, the telecommunication and Internet business has experienced rapid growth in China, which has led to a large number of software companies serving the industry. With the increasing technical capacity, these firms are no longer satisfied with the domestic market, and are eager to go global. Yida Co. Ltd., one of these fast-growing software companies, is listed on the NASDAQ and enjoys a good reputation in the Chinese software industry. In 2003, an opportunity arose for Yida when a Hong Kong-based Internet service provider (ISP) decided to purchase its core product — a software system used to provide fee calculation and account management for ISPs. Both sides had high expectations of the system. Yida regarded it as a great opportunity to enter the international market, and the client hoped the new system would help it realize new functions and expand its business. However, the project ended up as a disappointment for both sides and the initial goodwill was far from being realized.