Wendy, the director of research at Stott Associates, has asked Simon, one of the senior consultants, to manage a project team that will be researching cost-cutting measures for the firm. Wendy gives Simon her view of the goals of the project, explicitly outlines the responsibilities, and identifies the people he should assemble for his team. What is the most important thing for Simon to do next? Assemble his team to define the project. Gauge how employees feel, but leave any probing questions for later. Determine what the underlying issues are. Make sure he understands the symptoms of the problem.