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Management of Technology (OM476) Managing NPD Teams March 8, 2006 S. Fisher
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Agenda Surprise – adapting the schedule again! Team composition and processes In-class mini case “Managed innovation…is often considered an oxymoron. Many companies find that as soon as “management” shows up, the forces of “innovation” start looking for places to hide.” ---Rita Shor, Corporate E-Business Manager at 3M (from Manufacturing and Technology News, www.manufacturingnews.com/news/editorials/shor.html)www.manufacturing
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Revised Schedule Today Discuss NPD team management Collect Evista case deliverables Monday March 20 – Project Selection Wednesday March 22 – Discuss case #6 Monday March 27 – Discuss Evista case
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Think back to OB class… What are some of the key attributes related to team functioning? What is unique about NPD that might affect how you would organize or manage a team?
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R&D team mini-case Read “Feed R&D” case In small groups, discuss and prepare answers to the following questions: What team management challenges would Lars face if he outsourced the R&D work? Should Lars outsource R&D on this project to Inova? If so, how much of the R&D work?
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Collaborating Across the Globe Often creates need for virtual teams Communication patterns Permanence IBM example – global project staffing
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How to build cross-border teams? Some companies are attempting training and cross-cultural awareness General team building activities Axcelis Technologies in Beverly, MA hired a trainer to help employees better understand how Indian co- workers would act Different styles in handshakes, eye contact Immersion trips Strengths/limitations of communication technology?
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Team Structure 4 types based on integration Functional – minimal integration Lightweight – project manager facilitates integration Heavyweight – matrix structure Autonomous – team becomes primary work unit Pros and cons of these types? Role of team leader vs. project champion?
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Co-location Opposite of virtual teams in many ways Bringing project team members together at the same site Gets really interesting when you start crossing organizational boundaries Blended teams – clients and consultants ERP implementation example
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Lead User Teams at 3M Comprised of 4-6 members with diverse skills (technical, marketing, etc) Autonomous Assigned ambiguous, uncertain projects to research; mandate to take risks Partner with Lead Users, experts working in target industries Has resulted in more efficient and effective innovation - very different from 3M’s traditional “inventor in the lab” model Source: Shor, R. Managed Innovation: 3M’s latest model for new products. From www.manufacturingnews.com/news/editorials/shor.html, January 16 2006. www.manufacturingnews.com/news/editorials/shor.html
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Problems at Microsoft? Turnover up 1% to 9% (still lower than industry average) Some employee discontent Defections to Google Bloggers such as Mini-Microsoft launching critiques Spending time on project reviews and internal coordination rather than talking to customers and taking products to market Source: Greene, J. (Sept 26, 2005). Troubling Exits at Microsoft. Business Week, p. 99-108.
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Microsoft – Some of the Ten Crazy Ideas Make business areas more independent Empower incubation projects Schedule unscheduled time Cut back on bureaucracy Reduce staffing of large projects Encourage risk-taking Source: Greene, J. (Sept 26, 2005). Troubling Exits at Microsoft. Business Week, p. 99-108.
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Have a great spring break! When we return, will cover Project Selection on March 20 There will be an in-class writing! See handout for next case background material (due March 22)
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