Discussion Questions

1. Discussion Questions December 6, 2012 POSTECH Strategic Management of Information and Technology Laboratory (POSMIT: http://posmit.postech.ac.kr) Dept. of Industrial & Management EngineeringPOSTECH

2. Discussion Questions • Chapter 11. Managing the New Product Development Process • Are there some industries in which a parallel process would not be possible or effective? • Industry in which small product design changes result in large process design changes A parallel development process would probably not be well suited • Necessary to have product design completely finished before process design commences • More project-specific than industry-specific • For example, if a firm is contemplating whether to construct a part out of pressed steel or injection molded plastic, such a decision will have drastic implications for the design process used and it would be unlikely to commence process design or manufacturing until product design is finalized. • Similarly, if a product design will require regulatory or customer approval (e.g., the development of a military aircraft for a defense contract, or the proposed design of a building, etc.),it may not make sense to commence process design or manufacturing until such approval is secured. Students may come up with other examples.

3. Discussion Questions • Chapter 11. Managing the New Product Development Process • What are the benefits and costs of involving customers and suppliers in the development process? • Benefits of involving customers • High possibility to stay focused on projects that meet the customer’s needs, resulting in more successful projects • Benefits of involving suppliers • An additional source of information and ideas, perhaps suggesting an alternative input that can reduce costs or time to market • Ensuring that any necessary changes are made quickly in order to minimize development time • Cost of involving customers and suppliers • Any time more individuals are added to a process, the cost of managing everyone increases • (In the above instances, however, the potential savings is likely to outweigh the costs)