January 2016

Top 12 Trends in the Science of Managing R&D and Product Development: Part 1

/ Blogroll, Finance, Metrics, Process, Strategy

Top 12 Trends in the Science of Managing R&D and Product Development-Part 1

There are lots of trends and new ideas when it comes to the science of managing R&D. Some got started when a technological advance changed the best way to manage or make decisions. Others arose from new thinking in management science in the light of macro changes taking place in business and political structures, practices, and economics.

Twelve trends are addressed in this two part series in Machine Design magazine. As you read through the trends, keep “Big Data” in mind. It is a “macro trend” that will affect every industry and segment of the globe. It underlies more than half of the trends discussed, and, to a lesser extent, it will affect all 12. As an exercise, give some thought as to whether each trend is technology-driven or thinking-driven. In some cases, it’s both.

The 12 trends relating to the science of managing R&D are in the following twelve business and/or functional areas.

Trend 1.   Rapid Prototyping (aka 3D printing)
Trend 2.   Strategy
Trend 3.   Product Definition
Trend 4.   Organic Innovation and Growth
Trend 5.   Search and Synthesis
Trend 6.   Core and Functional Competencies
Trend 7.   Engineering and Development Automation
Trend 8.   Micro-Nano Effects
Trend 9.   Physical vs. Virtual Work
Trend 10. Measurement and Correlation
Trend 11. Open Innovation
Trend 12. Intellectual Property

Top 12 Trends in the Science of Managing R&D and Product Development: Part 1 [Machine Design – January 2016] discusses the first six of the trends. The February 2016 issue of Machine Design will discuss the remaining six trends.

When Will PLM Become The Norm?

/ Blogroll, Process

Although PLM emerged in 2001, those who work in the PLM field know that, even in 2016, it’s far from fully implemented. They may wonder how long widespread full acceptance and implementation of the PLM paradigm will take, and ask, “When will PLM become the norm?”

The author, John Stark, is a subject matter expert in all things related to Product Lifecycle Management [PLM]. For three decades, John has published the bi-monthly 2PDM and now 2PLM ezine from the PLM Institute located in Geneva, Switzerland. In a recent article, published on January 14, 2016 in LinkedIn Pulse, John explores the fifteen years (and counting) time frame relating to industry’s adoption of PLM.

Brad Goldense is quoted several times in this article relating to GGI’s position on the length of time it takes new bodies of knowledge to evolve and mature.

When will PLM become the Norm?, takes a look at what has happened in PLM since 2001 and hypothesizes how much longer it may take to achieve widespread industry adoption of PLM capabilities.

 When Will PLM Become The Norm