Developing the knowledge and skills of r&d professionals to achieve process outcomes in cross-functional teams

Abstract

Traditionally, R&D professionals have been managed to achieve technical outcomes. To compete in today's business environment, however, R&D professionals are increasingly managed to achieve process outcomes. This paper discusses two complementary requirements for managing R&D professionals to achieve process outcomes: working on cross-functional teams, and developing process knowledge and skills. This paper proposes that R&D professionals need to possess process knowledge and skills to achieve process outcomes in crossfunctional teams. Moreover, to develop process knowledge and skills they need to take advantage of available process-oriented career opportunities. This paper also proposes that R&D laboratories need to influence and guide R&D professionals to take advantage of these career opportunities by using process-oriented management practices and having a process-oriented culture.