Cracking Oyster: Shashi Verma & Transport for London Confront a Tough Contract (B) Sequel Harvard Case Solution & Analysis

This sequel accompanies case amount 1985.0, "Cracking Oyster: Shashi Verma & Transport for London Confront a Tough Contract (B)." "Cracking Oyster (B)" is the next part of a two-part case set, intended to be used in a two-class sequence. The (B) case may also be instructed alone, but pupils will should read (or at least skim) the (A) case as a way to understand (B). "Cracking Oyster (B)" is accompanied by a six-and-a-half minute video companion piece. The (B) case describes how Shashi Verma (MPP '97), Manager of Fares and Ticketing for London's super bureau, Transport for London, makes do with a frustrating contract at the heart of the agency's ticketing operation-the Prestige Contract, which is, when he assumes his place in 2006, in the midpoint of a 17-year contract term. While the (A) case lays out the nature of Verma's frustrations with Prestige (a cumbersome process for negotiating variations, excessive costs, substandard functionality requirements, and poor incentives for the contractor to col-laborate with TfL on new inventions), the more provocative (B) case describes how Verma-using techniques of "game theory" and taking some political and legal risks-attempts to negotiate far more advantageous contract terms for TfL.

This one page sequel describes what occurs: TfL does determine to go forward, finally gets a contract on much more favorable conditions compared to the first Prestige, and does settle the legal issue outside of court. The video companion piece reveals Verma in dialogue with HKS Professor Richard Zeckhauser, as the two reflect on Verma's use of game theory, a subject taught by Zeckhauser. Case amount 1985.1.

PUBLICATION DATE: April 11, 2013 PRODUCT #: HKS745-HCB-ENG

This is just an excerpt. This case is about GLOBAL BUSINESS

Share This

SALE SALE

Save Up To

30%

IN ONLINE CASE STUDY

FOR FREE CASES AND PROJECTS INCLUDING EXCITING DEALS PLEASE REGISTER YOURSELF !!

Register now and save up to 30%.