330 likes | 647 Views
Multidisciplinary Teams and Knowledge Models. Professor M Neil James Faculty of Technology University of Plymouth. Multidisciplinary Teams. MDT's harness powerful knowledge benefits from members Advances in technology in different areas New ideas
E N D
Multidisciplinary Teams and Knowledge Models Professor M Neil James Faculty of Technology University of Plymouth
Multidisciplinary Teams • MDT's harness powerful knowledge benefits from members • Advances in technology in different areas • New ideas • Cross-fertilisation of concepts from other disciplines • What knowledge do other people possess that the MDT is unaware of ? • Information retrieval/mining
Knowledge Pools • Standard business model – Bonsai tree • Fruit – saleable products • Trunk – core skills • Roots generic knowledge • Small and perfect • Not easily capable of growth • Expansion into new areas difficult
Knowledge Pools • Need to 'dip' into other knowledge pools • Innovative synergies • Ready-made problem solutions • New openings for growth and product range • Leads to the 'sequoia' model of business growth
Knowledge Pools • Sequoia can be 80-100 m high • Root system contained in top 1.5 m of soil • Spreads out over 4 square acres • Clone by suckers • Young trees use ancient root system of adults
Knowledge Pools • Young trees use ancient root system of adults • Share water resources • 'Dip' into each others pools • Share root linkage • Fast growth once water supply stabilised • New roots for mutual support
Knowledge Pools • Business analogy • Dipping into different knowledge bases • Mutative growth possible • Fundamental process 'keys' in nature
Knowledge Pools • Business analogy • Dipping into different knowledge bases • Mutative growth possible • Fundamental process 'keys' in nature • Mutation
Knowledge Pools • Business analogy • Dipping into different knowledge bases • Mutative growth possible • Fundamental process 'keys' in nature • Mutation • Replication (cloning)
Knowledge Pools • Equivalent 'keys' in business • Design innovation General Atomics Predator B unmanned aircraft
Knowledge Pools • Equivalent 'keys' in business • Design innovation • Smart fabrication
Role of Team Leaders • Manage problem constraints
Role of Team Leaders • Manage problem constraints • Coach and counsel team members
Role of Team Leaders • Manage problem constraints • Coach and counsel team members • Resolve conflicts
Role of Team Leaders • Manage problem constraints • Coach and counsel team members • Resolve conflicts • Attributes: • Forceful
Role of Team Leaders • Manage problem constraints • Coach and counsel team members • Resolve conflicts • Attributes: • Forceful • Goal orientated
Role of Team Leaders SAVE the WHALE In short, a caring Genghis Khan…..
Application to Design • MDT's drawn from several potential disciplines • Different interests • Different skills
Application to Design • MDT's drawn from several potential disciplines • Different interests • Different skills • Gain experience in information retrieval from different 'pools'
Application to Design • MDT's drawn from several potential disciplines • Different interests • Different skills • Gain experience in information retrieval from different 'pools' • Harness the internet as a data mining source • Image from Journal of Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, Kluwer Academic Publishers • http://www.digimine.com/usama/datamine/
Application to Design • MDT's drawn from several potential disciplines • Different interests • Different skills • Gain experience in information retrieval from different 'pools' • Harness the internet as a data mining source • Develop conceptual thought processes
Application to Design • MDT's drawn from several potential disciplines • Different interests • Different skills • Gain experience in information retrieval from different 'pools' • Harness the internet as a data mining source • Develop conceptual thought processes • Develop skills in identifying critical areas in problems
Application to Design • Visualise the web of linkages between: • Modules
Application to Design • Visualise the web of linkages between: • Modules • Skills
Application to Design • Visualise the web of linkages between: • Modules • Skills • Disciplines
Application to Design • Visualise the web of linkages between: • Modules • Skills • Disciplines • Individual disciplines are all part of the overall field of engineering • Interlinked • Interdependent
What Might MDT's Achieve in the Future ? • Reduced product development times • Classic example is Liberty ship design • Riveted construction ~ 242 days • Welded construction < 7 days
What Might MDT's Achieve in the Future ? • Reduced product development times • Classic example is Liberty ship design • Riveted construction ~ 242 days • Welded construction < 7 days • Increased risk avoidance • Greater reliability • More holistic understanding of linkages/problems
What Might MDT's Achieve in the Future ? • Impact of network technologies • Information access • Real communication
What Might MDT's Achieve in the Future ? • Impact of network technologies • Information access • Real communication • Effective knowledge capture • Higher recycling potential • Lean and efficient materials usage
What Might MDT's Achieve in the Future ? • Impact of network technologies • Information access • Real communication • Effective knowledge capture • Higher recycling potential • Lean and efficient materials usage • 'Virtual' design and manufacturing environments • Game technology • Process modelling
What Might MDT's Achieve in the Future ? • Potential limitations • Shortage of multi-skilled MDT team leaders • Loss of social dimension • Cyber-nerds There is hope however……. http://romance.live.com.au/articles/index.jsp http://romance.live.com.au/articles/snaggies.jsp