The Egg Drop Project

The Egg Drop Project

Each day we are faced with obstacles that require us to evaluate the current situation, set future goals, and establish a plan to achieve those goals. In the business world, this concept is known as strategy. According to the textbook, Crafting and Executing Strategy, individuals and companies of all shapes and sizes make decisions daily in an effort to rise over the competition, improve performance, and increase sales and revenue. The egg drop assignment gives us the opportunity to apply the concepts of forming a business strategy while competing against classmates in an entertaining event.

The assignment at hand consisted of constructing a container capable of protecting a raw egg weighing approximately 50 grams that was dropped from the balcony of a campus building. The contraption had to be smaller than a sheet a paper and weigh less than 150 grams. In addition, we had to compete with classmates for the lightest and most durable container as outlined in the rules provided by our instructor.

The group immediately formed a SWOT analysis of the situation and evaluated their resources. Strength lied within two of the group members who had previously participated in a similar project. Unfortunately, neither group member’s egg container was successful in the past. This was quickly recognized as a weakness. There was great room for opportunity based on the two previous failures. The internet and personal contacts led to new ideas that could be constructed with ease. Meanwhile, the other competing classmates were an existing threat to our group’s success.

Previous failures included using a 2 Liter bottle filled completely with large packing bubbles. The egg was inserted into the side of the bottle and was nestled gently in the center of the packing filler. The side of the 2 Liter bottle was taped shut and then the container was dropped from the balcony. The egg container was tested at various heights and did well. When dropped...