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Expert System

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Group Expertise

Definition

This situational factor, like Leader Expertise, deals with the knowledge necessary to analyze the problem and to devise a plan which would be effective in solving it. However, here we address the knowledge and expertise which exists within the group. You should consider group members collectively, addressing the sum of the talents possessed by the members of the group. In making this judgment, you should consider the abilities of group members and not their motivation to use these abilities to find the solution of most value to the organization.

As was the case for Leader Expertise, High or Probably High signifies confidence on your part that the group does have sufficient knowledge or expertise. If you do not know if the group has the requisite knowledge, select Uncertain. When you are quite confident that the group does not possess the needed knowledge or expertise, Low or Probably Low should be chosen.

Examples

High
  1. The bank examiners have insisted that many of your large commercial real estate loans be written off, depleting your already low capital. As president, you are aware that your bank is in serious danger of being closed by the regulators. You have an outstanding set of executives, each of whom is competent in his/her position.
  2. One of the projects on which your group is working is six months overdue, and the entire contract may be in jeopardy. The individuals assigned to the project are all well trained and should have the knowledge needed to identify the causes of the delay and the steps needed to get this project "back on track."
Low
  1. The advertising firm engaged by your company has not been performing up to expectations, and it is up to you to choose a successor. You have five managers working for you. They are all young, new to the business, and totally inexperienced in choosing advertising agencies.
  2. As a retired police captain, you have been hired to diagnose the source of a number of breaches of plant security in the past several months. Your staff is guards and night watchmen, none of whom has the training needed to be of significant help to you in this task.