Page 94 - A Life - my Live - my path

Computerization of the cyclotron

recommendations. I made my choice based on all the
comparisons to the specifications and taking into account
the professor's recommendations.
Unfortunately, the general management had already
made their choice, which was a real problem, because their
choice was based on the worst offer. In addition to being
incomplete, it was ambiguous on many points, it only
contained intentions and promises. It did not offer anything
concrete on the methodology used, on project management
and on the means to be deployed. I assumed that behind the
scenes the company involved knew they were going to get
the project, which led them to make no effort to deliver a
worthy bid. This company was also defended by one of the
boss' right-hand men .
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The situation was becoming tense, and the contract needed
to be signed. The managing director, being very
manipulative, wanted me to sign it so that it could be
covered by a computer technician. Obviously, in view of the
politically motivated favoritism shown for a friend,
I categorically refused to sign it. The management was
angry, the boss's right-hand man was getting angry, my head
of department was getting angry, but for me, it was vital, I
did not want - at 33 years old - to endorse the failure of a
project worth 60 million Belgian francs (€ 1.5 million). I ended
up saying no to my head of department, explaining: "If you
are so convinced of the merits of this contract, you just have

82 Michel BOLAN
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