Product Development—Faster, On-Time

Abstract

OVERVIEW:Researchers and consultants have promoted many tools and techniques for accelerating the execution phase of new product development. But which ones make the greatest impact? Data gathered from over 130 new product development projects separated the high-impact methods from the less significant ones. Interestingly, managers perceive that project organizational tactics and computer-based tools produce high impacts on project goal achievement. Yet the influence of these methods on time-based performance appears to be insignificant. Highly acclaimed methods such as co-location and team isolation are even associated with worse time-based performance. On the other hand, such infrequently used approaches as quality function deployment and computerized project scheduling promise accelerated product development with better on-time performance. Certain project leadership and product design analysis tactics are also associated with improved project timeliness.