Learning from the Best New Product Developers

Abstract

OVERVIEW:A survey by the Quality Directors' Network of the Industrial Research Institute finds that most IRI member companies have a formalized new product development process in place, and that the R&D organizations in these companies have been active adopters and promoters of such processes. However, successful use of these processes has not been nearly as widespread. As the experience base around these processes develops, we are finding that the most successful companies abide by few common guiding principles in implementing new product development processes, although with different approaches tailored to their organization. These best companies have also introduced new R&D management systems and approaches to effectively integrate R&D into the company's product development activities.