Engineering
Innovation is the key to creating a sustainable competitive advantage. Fostering an environment of creativity is critical to maintain the spirit of continuous improvement. Seeking the true needs and feedback from the customer and communicating among the creative team keeps the projects on track and results in delivering the best possible product
The creative process of engineering design has to be balanced with a process that enables the proper documentation of the work. The challenge is to achieve a balance that allows for effective capture of the innovation without affecting the timing of the project.
Outside of engineering labor costs, the prototype and testing of products are the largest time and financial costs associated with R&D. Managing vendors to increase the speed and quality of the prototypes is important for development. Designing efficient test fixtures and procedures will further reduce costs. Detailed planning of the testing will increase safety, efficiency, and data capture needed to successfully prove the product.
Throughout the innovation process communication is the key to meeting the goals of the project. Continuous sharing between product management, sales, engineering, and even the customer will optimize the time spent in develop and shorten the commercialization cycle.
