Resolving Agency Issues in Client-Contractor Relationships: The Use of an Award Winning Teaching Case Study

  Education  

Log in or sign up to view this on-demand webinar

Log In

OR

Sign Up

Log in or sign up to view this on-demand webinar

Log In

OR

Sign Up

Log in or sign up to view this on-demand webinar

Log In

OR

Sign Up

Overview

The case study on resolving agency issues in client-contractor relationships was the winner of the 2019 DSI PMI Instructional Case Writing Competition. The author will present some theoretical background on the use of case studies in teaching and then introduce the case study itself and outline its potential use in online settings. The case study focuses on the management of relationships which has been acknowledged as a crucial element of project success. However, agency related issues such as goal conflict, information asymmetry or opportunistic behavior can make relationship management a real challenge. The program managers for One Global Headquarters at Merck developed their own way on how to deal with this challenge in a complex and uncertain environment. This case study will provide unique insights into their approach and motivation.

Learning Objectives

The case study on resolving agency issues in client-contractor relationships was the winner of the 2019 DSI PMI Instructional Case Writing Competition. The author will present some theoretical background on the use of case studies in teaching and then introduce the case study itself and outline its potential use in online settings. The case study focuses on the management of relationships which has been acknowledged as a crucial element of project success. However, agency related issues such as goal conflict, information asymmetry or opportunistic behavior can make relationship management a real challenge. The program managers for One Global Headquarters at Merck developed their own way on how to deal with this challenge in a complex and uncertain environment. This case study will provide unique insights into their approach and motivation.

NOTE: You must watch videos in their entirety and all the way through to the end for our system to record your viewing activity accurately. Learn more about PDUs on ProjectManagement.com.

Suggested Webinars

Path to PMP: 2026 PMP Exam Change

by Kelly Byrd Marín, Andrew Schroding, Tinamarie Pierson, Fabrizio Critelli

June 16, 2026 | 58:45 | Views: 540 | PDUs: | Rating: 4.90 / 5

---

The Human Edge: Turning GenAI Potential to Progress

by Rupal Bhandari, Aditya Kumar, Michael Bianchi, Bhawana Sharma, David Barros

June 02, 2026 | 60:35 | Views: 8,747 | PDUs: 1.00 | Rating: 4.66 / 5

---

Project Success Starts Here: Achieve M.O.R.E. with PMI

by Denis Lassance

May 14, 2026 | 60:26 | Views: 14,141 | PDUs: 1.00 | Rating: 4.55 / 5

---

Resources

Resolving Agency Issues in Client-Contractor Relationships: The Use of an Award Winning Teaching Case Study

presentation

by Christine Unterhitzenberger

Talent Triangle Alignment

This video qualifies for the following PDUs:

PMP/PgMP CAPM PMI-ACP PMI-SP PMI-RMP PfMP PMI-PBA DASM DASSM DAC DAVSC PMI-CP PMI-PMOCP PMI-CPMAI Ways of Working 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 Power Skills 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Business Acumen 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00

Learn about earning PDUs on ProjectManagement.com

Acknowledgements: Fred Ulmer, Laura Schofield and Jill Diffendal