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• 1. [Article] PLM Software Selection Model for Project Management using Hierarchical Decision Modeling with Criteria from PMBOOK Knowledge Areas

  Product Lifecycle management (PLM) is the integration of several tools within an organization to help streamline all of the activities in the product development lifecycle. PLM systems help to create a ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: PLM Software Selection Model for Project Management using Hierarchical Decision Modeling with Criteria from PMBOOK Knowledge Areas Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Varma, Sumir, Sutton, Scott Year: 2012 Product Lifecycle management (PLM) is the integration of several tools within an organization to help streamline all of the activities in the product development lifecycle. PLM systems help to create a common platform for product development and improve communication and collaboration throughout an organization. The PLM systems of today include many additional features and integrated components including elements to support strategic capabilities, design capabilities, data management capabilities, collaborative capabilities, and foundational capabilities. This paper looks to solve some of the selection questions around PLM systems by developing a framework for selection of a PLM system from the perspective of the Project Manager. Title: PLM Software Selection Model for Project Management using Hierarchical Decision Modeling with Criteria from PMBOOK Knowledge Areas Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Varma, Sumir, Sutton, Scott Year: 2012 Product Lifecycle management (PLM) is the integration of several tools within an organization to help streamline all of the activities in the product development lifecycle. PLM systems help to create a common platform for product development and improve communication and collaboration throughout an organization. The PLM systems of today include many additional features and integrated components including elements to support strategic capabilities, design capabilities, data management capabilities, collaborative capabilities, and foundational capabilities. This paper looks to solve some of the selection questions around PLM systems by developing a framework for selection of a PLM system from the perspective of the Project Manager. Close

• 2. [Article] Quality Culture Selection for New Product Development (NPD) Organizations Using Hierarchal Decision Modeling (HDM)

  Many companies implement quality systems and subsequently the corresponding cultures in an effort to improve product or system quality and increase profits. Selecting which quality culture to employ is ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Quality Culture Selection for New Product Development (NPD) Organizations Using Hierarchal Decision Modeling (HDM) Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Smith, J., Varma, Rohit Year: 2012 Many companies implement quality systems and subsequently the corresponding cultures in an effort to improve product or system quality and increase profits. Selecting which quality culture to employ is often difficult as the differences between the cultures are not always clear. Companies often commit to a quality culture without fully understanding the benefits and drawbacks a certain system might have to different parts of the business, including New Product Development (NPD). In this paper we present a Hierarchal Decision Model (HDM) aimed at assisting senior managers in the selection of the right quality culture that specifically improves NPD factors. We apply the HDM to three different companies, each from different business sectors and with distinct goals. Three quality cultures are compared: Lean, Six Sigma, and Theory of Constraints (ToC). Recommendations are formulated based on the model output. We discuss the results and which quality culture might be best for each company to endorse. Title: Quality Culture Selection for New Product Development (NPD) Organizations Using Hierarchal Decision Modeling (HDM) Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Smith, J., Varma, Rohit Year: 2012 Many companies implement quality systems and subsequently the corresponding cultures in an effort to improve product or system quality and increase profits. Selecting which quality culture to employ is often difficult as the differences between the cultures are not always clear. Companies often commit to a quality culture without fully understanding the benefits and drawbacks a certain system might have to different parts of the business, including New Product Development (NPD). In this paper we present a Hierarchal Decision Model (HDM) aimed at assisting senior managers in the selection of the right quality culture that specifically improves NPD factors. We apply the HDM to three different companies, each from different business sectors and with distinct goals. Three quality cultures are compared: Lean, Six Sigma, and Theory of Constraints (ToC). Recommendations are formulated based on the model output. We discuss the results and which quality culture might be best for each company to endorse. Close

• 3. [Article] Technology Roadmap for Consumer 3D Printing

  3D Systems Corporation is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions andis the market leader in the industrial manufacturing space [1].Their 3D printers can print almost anything including medical, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Technology Roadmap for Consumer 3D Printing Author: Eastham, James, Gibson, Elizabeth, Tucker, David, Tucker, Katherine, Varma, Sumir Year: 2013 3D Systems Corporation is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions andis the market leader in the industrial manufacturing space [1].Their 3D printers can print almost anything including medical, aerospace, andautomotive products to individualized home products, customized jewelry and toys. They have become the leader in the industry by leveraging their Intellectual Property in 3D printing and digital manufacturing.The company has been instrumental in changing the manufacturing environment over the recent past.And, this emerging industry is gaining momentum.However, their momentum to ensure leadership moving into the next decade must expand into the consumer market space[1].They plan to accelerate adoption of their products and services into small scale manufacturing at home by providing more affordable and simple products. Their initiative has already been launched with introduction of the Cube™ in December, 2012 and can be followed on the cubify.com website [2]. Because the Cube™ was a responsive action to catch the leaders in the consumer space, it is critical that the company create a comprehensive technology roadmap (TRM) to help create a plan that supports the company’s strategic objective.While it is urgent that the range of affordable printers is extended into homes, the initiative must be executed with a comprehensive plan that tightly ties the research and development activities to the consumer market drivers.This paper not only shares a direction for future alignment of activities, but it also uncovers barriers and gaps in the current technological platform.The TRM presented in this document could be used to communicate plans and gaps to other departments within 3D Systems and their development partners. The internal knowledge in their commercial 3D printer division must be leveraged to address market drivers that are different for the home and professional spaces.In part, the TRM could be used to internally communicate how the R&D efforts must be shifted to consider the market drivers in the consumer division with their clearly communicated requirements and demands. “Technology roadmapping (TRM) is a comprehensive approach for strategy planning to integrate science and technological considerations into product and business aspects.” [3] It is a tool that has been effectively used by others in the manufacturing, energy, and hi-tech industries [4].However, to effectively use this tool, it must be modified to fit the specific needs of the 3Dprinting business model.The literature reveals that there are many formats and types of TRMs. [5]Additionally, 3D printing is considered an emerging industry which adds to the complexity of developing a TRM [6]. This paper shares the research and models that have been developed to apply to the home 3D printer market division in creation of this TRM. Title: Technology Roadmap for Consumer 3D Printing Author: Eastham, James, Gibson, Elizabeth, Tucker, David, Tucker, Katherine, Varma, Sumir Year: 2013 3D Systems Corporation is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions andis the market leader in the industrial manufacturing space [1].Their 3D printers can print almost anything including medical, aerospace, andautomotive products to individualized home products, customized jewelry and toys. They have become the leader in the industry by leveraging their Intellectual Property in 3D printing and digital manufacturing.The company has been instrumental in changing the manufacturing environment over the recent past.And, this emerging industry is gaining momentum.However, their momentum to ensure leadership moving into the next decade must expand into the consumer market space[1].They plan to accelerate adoption of their products and services into small scale manufacturing at home by providing more affordable and simple products. Their initiative has already been launched with introduction of the Cube™ in December, 2012 and can be followed on the cubify.com website [2]. Because the Cube™ was a responsive action to catch the leaders in the consumer space, it is critical that the company create a comprehensive technology roadmap (TRM) to help create a plan that supports the company’s strategic objective.While it is urgent that the range of affordable printers is extended into homes, the initiative must be executed with a comprehensive plan that tightly ties the research and development activities to the consumer market drivers.This paper not only shares a direction for future alignment of activities, but it also uncovers barriers and gaps in the current technological platform.The TRM presented in this document could be used to communicate plans and gaps to other departments within 3D Systems and their development partners. The internal knowledge in their commercial 3D printer division must be leveraged to address market drivers that are different for the home and professional spaces.In part, the TRM could be used to internally communicate how the R&D efforts must be shifted to consider the market drivers in the consumer division with their clearly communicated requirements and demands. “Technology roadmapping (TRM) is a comprehensive approach for strategy planning to integrate science and technological considerations into product and business aspects.” [3] It is a tool that has been effectively used by others in the manufacturing, energy, and hi-tech industries [4].However, to effectively use this tool, it must be modified to fit the specific needs of the 3Dprinting business model.The literature reveals that there are many formats and types of TRMs. [5]Additionally, 3D printing is considered an emerging industry which adds to the complexity of developing a TRM [6]. This paper shares the research and models that have been developed to apply to the home 3D printer market division in creation of this TRM. Close

• 4. [Article] Using a Case Study Approach to Understanding R&D Communication Barriers

  Communication issues can exist between Research and Development (R&D) and other organizations which can create inefficiencies in R&D. Companies may not be aware of this communication breakdown or may not ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Using a Case Study Approach to Understanding R&D Communication Barriers Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Lim, Dong-Joon, Aldhaban, Fahad, Estep, Judith Year: 2012 Communication issues can exist between Research and Development (R&D) and other organizations which can create inefficiencies in R&D. Companies may not be aware of this communication breakdown or may not be conscious of tools and best practices which exist in literature and benchmarking which can address this gap. Effective R&D management and strategy formation can play a critical role in giving a company a competitive advantage and therefore make it successful in intense competitive environments. Good communication between R&D and other parts of the organization (e.g. marketing) is significant in developing and executing these strategies. In this paper a case study methodology was utilized to compare how R&D strategies from different companies and different sectors compare, and how these companies communicate and manage their R&D activities. The team conducted interviews with R&D managers, focusing on the communication element of R&D management. These interviews were conducted using a consistent framework obtained from literature. Results were compiled from each company and recommendations were prepared based on lessons from benchmarking, literature, case studies [2], and lecture material. Title: Using a Case Study Approach to Understanding R&D Communication Barriers Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Lim, Dong-Joon, Aldhaban, Fahad, Estep, Judith Year: 2012 Communication issues can exist between Research and Development (R&D) and other organizations which can create inefficiencies in R&D. Companies may not be aware of this communication breakdown or may not be conscious of tools and best practices which exist in literature and benchmarking which can address this gap. Effective R&D management and strategy formation can play a critical role in giving a company a competitive advantage and therefore make it successful in intense competitive environments. Good communication between R&D and other parts of the organization (e.g. marketing) is significant in developing and executing these strategies. In this paper a case study methodology was utilized to compare how R&D strategies from different companies and different sectors compare, and how these companies communicate and manage their R&D activities. The team conducted interviews with R&D managers, focusing on the communication element of R&D management. These interviews were conducted using a consistent framework obtained from literature. Results were compiled from each company and recommendations were prepared based on lessons from benchmarking, literature, case studies [2], and lecture material. Close

• 5. [Article] Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting: Case Study, Economic Analysis, Model Development, and Application

  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the vast majority (70%) of light bulbs in the United States are still inefficient [1]. More and more companies are converting outside lighting to state-of-the-art ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting: Case Study, Economic Analysis, Model Development, and Application Author: Bitzer, Mario, Boss, Viktoria, Burchfield, David, Chaichi, Nina, Eastham, James, Varma, Sumir Year: 2013 According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the vast majority (70%) of light bulbs in the United States are still inefficient [1]. More and more companies are converting outside lighting to state-of-the-art high efficient long lasting options such as Light-Emitting Diode (LED). Proponents of high efficiency lighting assert that upgrading older bulbs to new efficient ones will generate savings even though the installation costs may be high. Firms often compare upgrade costs and perceived benefits using different approaches and analysis methods. This project investigates one firm’s upgrade economic model, provides critical analysis, and proposes an improved model which could be used for future upgrade projects at the firm. In addition to the proposed model, three (3) different use cases are examined in an effort to better understand under what conditions lighting upgrades make the most sense. Title: Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting: Case Study, Economic Analysis, Model Development, and Application Author: Bitzer, Mario, Boss, Viktoria, Burchfield, David, Chaichi, Nina, Eastham, James, Varma, Sumir Year: 2013 According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the vast majority (70%) of light bulbs in the United States are still inefficient [1]. More and more companies are converting outside lighting to state-of-the-art high efficient long lasting options such as Light-Emitting Diode (LED). Proponents of high efficiency lighting assert that upgrading older bulbs to new efficient ones will generate savings even though the installation costs may be high. Firms often compare upgrade costs and perceived benefits using different approaches and analysis methods. This project investigates one firm’s upgrade economic model, provides critical analysis, and proposes an improved model which could be used for future upgrade projects at the firm. In addition to the proposed model, three (3) different use cases are examined in an effort to better understand under what conditions lighting upgrades make the most sense. Close

• 6. [Article] Marketing Plan: The Cube

  Our product is a low cost ($1,299) three dimensional prototyping machine, commonly known as a “personal 3D Printer”. The product name is “The Cube” and is produced by 3D Systems, Inc. Our customers are ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Marketing Plan: The Cube Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Smith, Joe, Julien, Alex, Bhendigeri, Sandeep Year: 2012 Our product is a low cost ($1,299) three dimensional prototyping machine, commonly known as a “personal 3D Printer”. The product name is “The Cube” and is produced by 3D Systems, Inc. Our customers are companies interested in speeding up their New Product Development (NPD) process by decentralizing their prototyping capability. Currently, firms design products or components using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Once the CAD design is complete, the file is converted to STL format (Stereo Lithography) and sent to an outside vendor or an internal prototype department. The outside vendor or internal department will create the prototype using an expensive 3D printer. The outsourcing process generally takes around 2 weeks at a cost of $300. Our system will allow each designer to have a desk‐top prototyping station, thereby reducing the prototyping time to 2 hours at a cost $10. 3D Systems is an established manufacturer of 3D Printers with an existing customer base. 3D Systems is currently a market leader in higher cost 3D Printers. The Cube is one of the lowest cost (sub $1300) products on the market designed for the consumer segment. The Cube stands out in the market as the lowest cost and easiest to use with established technical / customer support. The price of printer materials (Amorphous Thermo‐Plastics) and printing speed is comparable to other systems on the market. The Cube is not as flexible as some competitors; however the marketing team believes the majority of companies and consumers are not interested in an open source system which allows for manual “hacking” of the hardware and software. The primary competitor, MakerBot, targets the at‐ home hobbyist, while our product is more targeted to the mainstream user. Title: Marketing Plan: The Cube Author: Eastham, James, Tucker, David, Smith, Joe, Julien, Alex, Bhendigeri, Sandeep Year: 2012 Our product is a low cost ($1,299) three dimensional prototyping machine, commonly known as a “personal 3D Printer”. The product name is “The Cube” and is produced by 3D Systems, Inc. Our customers are companies interested in speeding up their New Product Development (NPD) process by decentralizing their prototyping capability. Currently, firms design products or components using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Once the CAD design is complete, the file is converted to STL format (Stereo Lithography) and sent to an outside vendor or an internal prototype department. The outside vendor or internal department will create the prototype using an expensive 3D printer. The outsourcing process generally takes around 2 weeks at a cost of $300. Our system will allow each designer to have a desk‐top prototyping station, thereby reducing the prototyping time to 2 hours at a cost $10. 3D Systems is an established manufacturer of 3D Printers with an existing customer base. 3D Systems is currently a market leader in higher cost 3D Printers. The Cube is one of the lowest cost (sub $1300) products on the market designed for the consumer segment. The Cube stands out in the market as the lowest cost and easiest to use with established technical / customer support. The price of printer materials (Amorphous Thermo‐Plastics) and printing speed is comparable to other systems on the market. The Cube is not as flexible as some competitors; however the marketing team believes the majority of companies and consumers are not interested in an open source system which allows for manual “hacking” of the hardware and software. The primary competitor, MakerBot, targets the at‐ home hobbyist, while our product is more targeted to the mainstream user. Close