Product details

Product details
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Abstract

On January 28, 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after a 73 second flight. On the night before, engineers - concerned by the low temperature - recommended the launch to be postponed. Despite their concerns, management’s recommendation was to launch. This case does not cover groupthink, lack of communication or business ethics. The objective is to understand which decision-making process must be implemented to reach the correct decision and how analyze data for this purpose. After an historical description of events, students are provided knowledge available to decision makers at the time. Using exhibits, they construct a step by step methodology to reach the correct conclusion. As in real life they have to master the basics of data analysis: understand a problematic, rephrase the problem, identify relevant data, remove useless information, select the best visualization method, avoid traps such as outliers or cherry picking, identify relevant modeling methods and take into consideration real life issues such as defining an acceptable risk level. Each time the group moves forward, the instructor discloses and shares new materials. At the end students obtain their own 'essential checklist for data analysis'. The case is especially adapted for online teaching and to introduce Big Data.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 1986.

Geographical setting

Region:
Americas
Locations:
Florida;Utah

Featured companies

NASA
Employees:
10000+
Type:
Government agency
Industry:
Space
Morton-Thiokol Inc
Employees:
1001-5000
Type:
Privately held
Industry:
Space launches business

About

Abstract

On January 28, 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after a 73 second flight. On the night before, engineers - concerned by the low temperature - recommended the launch to be postponed. Despite their concerns, management’s recommendation was to launch. This case does not cover groupthink, lack of communication or business ethics. The objective is to understand which decision-making process must be implemented to reach the correct decision and how analyze data for this purpose. After an historical description of events, students are provided knowledge available to decision makers at the time. Using exhibits, they construct a step by step methodology to reach the correct conclusion. As in real life they have to master the basics of data analysis: understand a problematic, rephrase the problem, identify relevant data, remove useless information, select the best visualization method, avoid traps such as outliers or cherry picking, identify relevant modeling methods and take into consideration real life issues such as defining an acceptable risk level. Each time the group moves forward, the instructor discloses and shares new materials. At the end students obtain their own 'essential checklist for data analysis'. The case is especially adapted for online teaching and to introduce Big Data.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 1986.

Geographical setting

Region:
Americas
Locations:
Florida;Utah

Featured companies

NASA
Employees:
10000+
Type:
Government agency
Industry:
Space
Morton-Thiokol Inc
Employees:
1001-5000
Type:
Privately held
Industry:
Space launches business

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