Agile product development: managing development flexibility in uncertain environments

Article Abstract:

As product complexity and the rate of market change have dramatically increased over the last years, firms find it increasingly difficult to forecast product requirements in the development processes. This article redefines the problem from one of improving forecasting to one of increasing product development agility and thus reducing the need for accurate long-term forecasts. It introduces the notion of development flexibility, shows how it can be measured, and presents results from a large empirical study on integrated systems development, which found that projects using flexible technologies outperformed projects using inflexible technologies by a factor of 2.2 (in person-months). Finally, the article proposes three major strategies for introducing flexibility into organizations. These strategies can help firms increase their agility and position themselves to succeed in accelerating and more turbulent markets. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Flexible manufacturing systems, Uncertainty

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Research to product: a major U.S. challenge

Article Abstract:

Much of the problem with regard to U.S. competitiveness in world markets resides in the way the U.S. has managed the application of new technology in the entire process of technology transfer. The key to success for U.S. corporations lies in building on their areas of strength - the U.S. still holds a leadership position in the development of software and in the area of systems and systems integration. The fast pace of global competition requires an evolution from the traditional serial model of product development to a parallel model. This parallel model relies heavily on the use of new tools such as expert systems, collaborative systems, the modeling of manufacturing and product delivery, and other software systems and applications. Capitalizing on these U.S. strengths will require a national effort in building an information infrastructure and a close collaboration between corporations and universities. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Analysis, Software, Computers, Digital computers, Systems integration, Production engineering research, Technology transfer, Computer systems integration

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Product development: past research, present findings, and future directions

Article Abstract:

The literature on product development continues to grow. This research is varied and vibrant, yet large and fragmented. In this article we first organize the burgeoning product-development literature into three streams of research: product development as rational plan, communication web, and disciplined problem solving. Second, we synthesize research findings into a model of factors affecting the success of product development. This model highlights the distinction between process performance and product effectiveness and the importance of agents, including team members, project leaders, senior management, customers, and suppliers, whose behavior affects these outcomes. Third, we indicate potential paths for future research based on the concepts and links that are missing or not well defined in the model. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Technological innovations

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