Fix the fumble - Module 2 - Workplace accountability - NYUAD

Scenario 1. Lab booking oversight

Zain assumed Layla had booked the lab equipment for a visiting faculty demo. She thought he was doing it. No one double-checked. On the day, the equipment isn’t set up, and the session is delayed.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

Scenario 2. Missed safety sign-off

Fatima completed the chemical inventory list but forgot to get it signed by the lab lead. She assumed it would be caught during inspection. The safety report is now incomplete, and the team receives a warning.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

 

Scenario 3. Last-minute event panic

Omar was asked to confirm catering for a research group meeting. He didn’t respond to the request because he “wasn’t sure if it was final.” On the day, the researchers arrive and nothing is set up.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

 

Scenario 4. Vendor request loop

A faculty member asked Ayesha for a vendor quote. She forwarded the request to finance but didn’t follow up. The finance team missed the email. A week later, the professor is still waiting and frustrated.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

Scenario 5. Unclear email = Missed action

A group email was sent asking someone to schedule a room for a seminar. No one responded because it wasn’t assigned directly. The room wasn’t booked.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

Scenario 6. Training invite confusion

Sara was in charge of sending Zoom links for a mandatory compliance training. She assumed the system would auto-send it. Several participants missed the session because they never received the link.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

Scenario 7. Disrupted sample chain

Abdulla prepped samples for storage but didn’t log them properly or alert the next shift. The samples were moved accidentally, causing the research team to start over.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?

 

Scenario 8. Procurement delay

Mohammed submitted a supply request without checking that the correct form was used. Procurement bounced it back. By the time he fixed it, the vendor deadline had passed.

a. What went wrong?

 

b. Who could have stepped up?

 

c. What would ownership have looked like?