Models for Incorporating Information into Innovation DecisionsDr. Cherie Courseault Trumbach

University of New Orleans

9/19/2014

Why Innovation Decisions?

Innovation in Engineering covers

Early Stage (perhaps Basic) Research

Applied Research

Development

Manufacturing

Developments in the Tech Environment

Globalization

Technology Integration

Time Compression

What is the implication for engineering managers?

Deliver new ideas to the quickly

Understanding of the implications of technological developments

Greater forecasting abilities

Willing to change courses when necessary

And drag others along with them

Efficiently determine what is worth pursuing and what is not

Respond to the external environment quickly

Keep the organization focused

The Engineering Manager must move from a manager the supports control to a leader that supports change. Information is the key.

The Result of Lack of Information

Marketing promises that cannot be delivered

Products designed too expensive to develop

Products designed that don’t match customer requirements

Technology changes that make products quickly obsolete

Inefficient product-technology mixes

The public Is not ready for the product

Regulatory changes that shorten the life of the product

What information?

What others are working on

Risk-related knowledge

Internal resources

Competitor information

Technological developments

Social and Governmental Issues

Two Models

Technology Delivery System

Models the information related to those elements that impact the development and delivery of a technology product

Accelerated Radical Innovation

Models the process of incorporating information in the development process

Technology Delivery System: Modeling the innovation drivers

Elements of a TDS

Inputs to the system

Institutions and Organizations

System Processes

System Outcomes

Example TDS

Accelerated Radical Innovation