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• 21. [Article] Portfolios and the Fuzzy Front End: The Development Go/No-Go Decision

  As successful organizations grow market presence through incremental product development, new product lines and radical innovation, they end up with a portfolio of products. In such an environment, new ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Portfolios and the Fuzzy Front End: The Development Go/No-Go Decision Author: Sengupta, Sowmini Year: 2016 As successful organizations grow market presence through incremental product development, new product lines and radical innovation, they end up with a portfolio of products. In such an environment, new product ideas come from a variety of sources and at different rates, requiring varying forms of idea assessment criteria and models. The individuals responsible for screening the new product ideas face a unique engineering and technology management challenge in terms of being proficient in many aspects and methods of idea screening. Stage-gate™ is an innovation lifecycle or idea screening process that inserts gates, or Go/No-Go decision points between phases where the idea is developed before finally launching into the development of the idea into a marketable product. At these gates, gate-keepers or decision-makers make the Go/No-No decisions on whether the idea should be allowed to progress into the next phase. This study delves into the complexities that decision-makers face during the innovation lifecycle in a product portfolio environment. The gates are challenging in today’s fast-paced technology evolution model as the gate-keepers need to make the decision quickly. First, the key influencing factors that the gatekeepers face are established. Through interviews with three gate-keepers across different technology markets, a basic relationship between some of the key the influencing factors and the decisionmaking modeling used during the idea screening process is developed. The key contribution from this study is establishing the relationship between the influencing factors and the screening process or method that is employed by the decision-makers based upon the idea in consideration. Title: Portfolios and the Fuzzy Front End: The Development Go/No-Go Decision Author: Sengupta, Sowmini Year: 2016 As successful organizations grow market presence through incremental product development, new product lines and radical innovation, they end up with a portfolio of products. In such an environment, new product ideas come from a variety of sources and at different rates, requiring varying forms of idea assessment criteria and models. The individuals responsible for screening the new product ideas face a unique engineering and technology management challenge in terms of being proficient in many aspects and methods of idea screening. Stage-gate™ is an innovation lifecycle or idea screening process that inserts gates, or Go/No-Go decision points between phases where the idea is developed before finally launching into the development of the idea into a marketable product. At these gates, gate-keepers or decision-makers make the Go/No-No decisions on whether the idea should be allowed to progress into the next phase. This study delves into the complexities that decision-makers face during the innovation lifecycle in a product portfolio environment. The gates are challenging in today’s fast-paced technology evolution model as the gate-keepers need to make the decision quickly. First, the key influencing factors that the gatekeepers face are established. Through interviews with three gate-keepers across different technology markets, a basic relationship between some of the key the influencing factors and the decisionmaking modeling used during the idea screening process is developed. The key contribution from this study is establishing the relationship between the influencing factors and the screening process or method that is employed by the decision-makers based upon the idea in consideration. Close

• 22. [Article] Technology Roadmapping for Composite Technology in Saudi Arabia, Term Project

  This paper attempts to trace the developments of the composite technologies in Saudi Arabia. Composite materials are applied in a variety of industries. Started by the aerospace industry due to its superior ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Technology Roadmapping for Composite Technology in Saudi Arabia, Term Project Author: Razzaqi, Emad, Alharbi, Mousa, Khalifa, Zakariya, Borgan, Mohammed Year: 2012 This paper attempts to trace the developments of the composite technologies in Saudi Arabia. Composite materials are applied in a variety of industries. Started by the aerospace industry due to its superior strength to weight ratio, it was widely applied in other industries such as the automobile, marines, corrosive plants and others. Also, the composite materials have intrinsic properties that make them superior to other types of materials, thus more attractive market opportunities. For the Saudi case, they develop the petrochemical products, and export the raw materials as pellets and other sorts of base material shapes. Other developed countries with more advanced technologies use these derivatives to produce nonmetallic products. However, it is more advantageous for Saudi Arabia to acquire these technologies necessary to develop composite materials and market the composite products itself. This move can lead to creation of an economical wave that will result in diversification of the Saudi economy as well as creating more job opportunities. There are a lot of drivers within Saudi Arabia, and these drivers call for the development of composite materials locally. Such domestic drivers can help expedite the progress of the composite technology adoptions. All of the Saudi industries have needs that can be fulfilled with Composite materials, and such opportunities can attract foreign investors to invest in Saudi Arabia, which give them a market access opportunity not only to the Saudi markets, but also to the regional markets. The existing issues with the availability of technologies can be better strategized by the nation as a whole. The past success of the petrochemical technology transfer gives a good confidence that such move will have fruitful results and can lead an industrial boom that will help the country in so many areas such as the researches, educational institutions, small entrepreneurships and more technological alliances and activities in the region. Title: Technology Roadmapping for Composite Technology in Saudi Arabia, Term Project Author: Razzaqi, Emad, Alharbi, Mousa, Khalifa, Zakariya, Borgan, Mohammed Year: 2012 This paper attempts to trace the developments of the composite technologies in Saudi Arabia. Composite materials are applied in a variety of industries. Started by the aerospace industry due to its superior strength to weight ratio, it was widely applied in other industries such as the automobile, marines, corrosive plants and others. Also, the composite materials have intrinsic properties that make them superior to other types of materials, thus more attractive market opportunities. For the Saudi case, they develop the petrochemical products, and export the raw materials as pellets and other sorts of base material shapes. Other developed countries with more advanced technologies use these derivatives to produce nonmetallic products. However, it is more advantageous for Saudi Arabia to acquire these technologies necessary to develop composite materials and market the composite products itself. This move can lead to creation of an economical wave that will result in diversification of the Saudi economy as well as creating more job opportunities. There are a lot of drivers within Saudi Arabia, and these drivers call for the development of composite materials locally. Such domestic drivers can help expedite the progress of the composite technology adoptions. All of the Saudi industries have needs that can be fulfilled with Composite materials, and such opportunities can attract foreign investors to invest in Saudi Arabia, which give them a market access opportunity not only to the Saudi markets, but also to the regional markets. The existing issues with the availability of technologies can be better strategized by the nation as a whole. The past success of the petrochemical technology transfer gives a good confidence that such move will have fruitful results and can lead an industrial boom that will help the country in so many areas such as the researches, educational institutions, small entrepreneurships and more technological alliances and activities in the region. Close

• 23. [Article] Green Index: Integration of Environmental Performance, Green Innovativeness and Financial Performance

  The integration of sustainability performance of companies is becoming increasingly important. The recent global requirements (i.e. the Kyoto Protocol) for significant reduction of the negative impact ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Green Index: Integration of Environmental Performance, Green Innovativeness and Financial Performance Author: Tekin, Ilknur Mary Joy Nirmala Year: 2014 The integration of sustainability performance of companies is becoming increasingly important. The recent global requirements (i.e. the Kyoto Protocol) for significant reduction of the negative impact of companies on the environment over the next 6 years have been putting pressure on the companies, requiring them to lower the negative environmental impact of market performance. This requirement challenges the profitable growth of the companies' business functions, given the change needed for business operations to improve on their environmental impact. In this dissertation a new corporate sustainability performance index, called: The Green Index, for measuring and assessing the integrated sustainability performance of companies is developed. The Green Index integrates Environmental Performance, Green Innovativeness and Financial Performance, by quantifying the expert opinions toward their integration. Development of the Green Index is a holistic approach in defining and measuring "green" performance for companies, integrated into their market performance. Green Index, for the first time in the literature, introduces Green Innovativeness in defining and measuring Green Performance of companies, in integration with Environmental and Financial Performance. In the literature and business practices, there are various sustainability indices used, and methodological approaches in measuring corporate sustainability performance with more than hundred performance indicators. The Green Index, uniquely refers to the collective expert opinion of management researchers, executive managers of corporations, high-tech companies' R&D managers, financial managers, corporate social responsibility managers, in defining a shorter list of 29 performance measures under the three core performance dimensions. Hierarchical Decision Modeling is used for the development of Green Index based on experts' collective decisions. At the next level, desirability levels for each one of the 29 performance measures are scaled by a group of angel investors and investors. And their collective desirability quantifications are used toward the application of the Green Index to quantify the Green Index value for a set of scenario analyses for alternative company performance states. Green Index fills a major gap in the scholarly literature and business practices. It meets the needs prioritized in the near future strategy of World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) towards development of new performance metrics and business models for industries that are financially successful while innovating with green products as they are reducing their negative environmental impact (WBCSD Annual Report 2010, 2011). Title: Green Index: Integration of Environmental Performance, Green Innovativeness and Financial Performance Author: Tekin, Ilknur Mary Joy Nirmala Year: 2014 The integration of sustainability performance of companies is becoming increasingly important. The recent global requirements (i.e. the Kyoto Protocol) for significant reduction of the negative impact of companies on the environment over the next 6 years have been putting pressure on the companies, requiring them to lower the negative environmental impact of market performance. This requirement challenges the profitable growth of the companies' business functions, given the change needed for business operations to improve on their environmental impact. In this dissertation a new corporate sustainability performance index, called: The Green Index, for measuring and assessing the integrated sustainability performance of companies is developed. The Green Index integrates Environmental Performance, Green Innovativeness and Financial Performance, by quantifying the expert opinions toward their integration. Development of the Green Index is a holistic approach in defining and measuring "green" performance for companies, integrated into their market performance. Green Index, for the first time in the literature, introduces Green Innovativeness in defining and measuring Green Performance of companies, in integration with Environmental and Financial Performance. In the literature and business practices, there are various sustainability indices used, and methodological approaches in measuring corporate sustainability performance with more than hundred performance indicators. The Green Index, uniquely refers to the collective expert opinion of management researchers, executive managers of corporations, high-tech companies' R&D managers, financial managers, corporate social responsibility managers, in defining a shorter list of 29 performance measures under the three core performance dimensions. Hierarchical Decision Modeling is used for the development of Green Index based on experts' collective decisions. At the next level, desirability levels for each one of the 29 performance measures are scaled by a group of angel investors and investors. And their collective desirability quantifications are used toward the application of the Green Index to quantify the Green Index value for a set of scenario analyses for alternative company performance states. Green Index fills a major gap in the scholarly literature and business practices. It meets the needs prioritized in the near future strategy of World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) towards development of new performance metrics and business models for industries that are financially successful while innovating with green products as they are reducing their negative environmental impact (WBCSD Annual Report 2010, 2011). Close

• 24. [Article] Data Warehouse Governance Best Practices

  Maintaining a stable data warehouse becomes quite a challenge if code development, code changes, code performance, systems computing resources usage and configurations of various integration specifications ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Data Warehouse Governance Best Practices Author: Rahman, Nayem, Sengupta, Sowmini, Aldhaban, Fahad Year: 2012 Maintaining a stable data warehouse becomes quite a challenge if code development, code changes, code performance, systems computing resources usage and configurations of various integration specifications are not done with discipline. As the size of the data warehouse increases the value it brings to an organization also increases. However these benefits come at a cost of maintaining the applications and running the data warehouse efficiently on a twenty four by seven basis. Governance is all about bringing discipline and control in place so that application developers and IT integration engineers follow certain guidelines so that the behavior of a data warehouse application becomes predictable and manageable. In this paper we have defined and explained some of the governance best practices being followed in large enterprise data warehouse of an organization. With a data warehouse governance process in place it can help in maintaining a stable data warehouse. Data warehouse governance can support the development life cycle, maintenance, data quality assurance, and the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act requirements and enforce numerous business requirements. Title: Data Warehouse Governance Best Practices Author: Rahman, Nayem, Sengupta, Sowmini, Aldhaban, Fahad Year: 2012 Maintaining a stable data warehouse becomes quite a challenge if code development, code changes, code performance, systems computing resources usage and configurations of various integration specifications are not done with discipline. As the size of the data warehouse increases the value it brings to an organization also increases. However these benefits come at a cost of maintaining the applications and running the data warehouse efficiently on a twenty four by seven basis. Governance is all about bringing discipline and control in place so that application developers and IT integration engineers follow certain guidelines so that the behavior of a data warehouse application becomes predictable and manageable. In this paper we have defined and explained some of the governance best practices being followed in large enterprise data warehouse of an organization. With a data warehouse governance process in place it can help in maintaining a stable data warehouse. Data warehouse governance can support the development life cycle, maintenance, data quality assurance, and the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act requirements and enforce numerous business requirements. Close

• 25. [Article] Review of R&D Project Selection Models

  Evaluation and selection of new projects is vital to the health of an organization. For many firms, especially those that depend on technology innovation to stay in business, the key to continued competitiveness ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Review of R&D Project Selection Models Author: Boemo-Mokhawa, Nametsegang, Gomez, Fredy, Hsieh, I-Hsuan, Lotfi, Theodore Nyma Year: 2010 Evaluation and selection of new projects is vital to the health of an organization. For many firms, especially those that depend on technology innovation to stay in business, the key to continued competitiveness lies in their ability to develop and implement new products and processes. For these organizations, research and development (R&D) is an integral function within the technology strategic management framework. There are two related sub-problems to selection of R&D projects: to access the evaluation of individual projects and to build a portfolio of the most promising projects among all submitted to a certain call for projects. Finally what really matters is the portfolio, which contains only the projects to be funded and amounts assigned to each project. This paper reviews some of the frequently used models and tools by different governmental and nongovernmental firms to select their R&D projects and briefly explore, based on literature reviews, the contribution of each model to the firm‟s strategies down the organizational hierarchy (Top-Down); from the institutional strategy down to the R&D strategy. Conclusions and suggestions for future research are also provided. Title: Review of R&D Project Selection Models Author: Boemo-Mokhawa, Nametsegang, Gomez, Fredy, Hsieh, I-Hsuan, Lotfi, Theodore Nyma Year: 2010 Evaluation and selection of new projects is vital to the health of an organization. For many firms, especially those that depend on technology innovation to stay in business, the key to continued competitiveness lies in their ability to develop and implement new products and processes. For these organizations, research and development (R&D) is an integral function within the technology strategic management framework. There are two related sub-problems to selection of R&D projects: to access the evaluation of individual projects and to build a portfolio of the most promising projects among all submitted to a certain call for projects. Finally what really matters is the portfolio, which contains only the projects to be funded and amounts assigned to each project. This paper reviews some of the frequently used models and tools by different governmental and nongovernmental firms to select their R&D projects and briefly explore, based on literature reviews, the contribution of each model to the firm‟s strategies down the organizational hierarchy (Top-Down); from the institutional strategy down to the R&D strategy. Conclusions and suggestions for future research are also provided. Close

• 26. [Article] Website Development Proposal for a Sportswear Company

  This online sales website development project is being undertaken to create a one stop online shopping platform for our client’s fast growing customer base. Once completed their numerous customers will ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Website Development Proposal for a Sportswear Company Author: Reddy, Akash, Mbagwu, Obinna Charles, Guo, Qin, Al-Nasri, Yaser Year: 2016 This online sales website development project is being undertaken to create a one stop online shopping platform for our client’s fast growing customer base. Once completed their numerous customers will be able to make purchases from the varieties of sports products they offer them from their convenience and have it shipped anywhere they might be located. To the client organization, the successful completion of this project will enable them reach more customers by adding the modern day increasing online shoppers to their customer base, increase their annual sales volume, reduce current and future cost of erecting and maintaining multiple physical store infrastructure as well as decongesting the existing facilities. Their financial projection for the first year after integrating the online sales is estimated to be a 30 per cent increase in the previous year’s annual revenue and 22 per cent increase in annual profit. To our organization this project is line with the kind of projects we do, will add to our experience curve. Also, the profit of accepting this project will increase our revenue. Title: Website Development Proposal for a Sportswear Company Author: Reddy, Akash, Mbagwu, Obinna Charles, Guo, Qin, Al-Nasri, Yaser Year: 2016 This online sales website development project is being undertaken to create a one stop online shopping platform for our client’s fast growing customer base. Once completed their numerous customers will be able to make purchases from the varieties of sports products they offer them from their convenience and have it shipped anywhere they might be located. To the client organization, the successful completion of this project will enable them reach more customers by adding the modern day increasing online shoppers to their customer base, increase their annual sales volume, reduce current and future cost of erecting and maintaining multiple physical store infrastructure as well as decongesting the existing facilities. Their financial projection for the first year after integrating the online sales is estimated to be a 30 per cent increase in the previous year’s annual revenue and 22 per cent increase in annual profit. To our organization this project is line with the kind of projects we do, will add to our experience curve. Also, the profit of accepting this project will increase our revenue. Close

• 27. [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

• 28. [Article] Economic Analysis of Developing a Web Based Scheduling Platform as a New Business Opportunity

  The principal objective of the project was to determine the viability of proposed business alternatives by leveraging appropriate economic analysis methods. To scope and outline assumptions, a section ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Economic Analysis of Developing a Web Based Scheduling Platform as a New Business Opportunity Author: Bhella, Opinderjit, Elliot, John, Gilliland, Garrett, Ibarra, Maria M., Rahimi, Noshad, Runde, Neil Year: 2012 The principal objective of the project was to determine the viability of proposed business alternatives by leveraging appropriate economic analysis methods. To scope and outline assumptions, a section on background research was performed and documented. The numbers from this initial research was plugged into development costs, pricing and ongoing operation expenses. Four solutions were considered: two product designs using two different development models. A conservative minimum attractive rate of return was established and applied to the models. A detailed analysis was conducted and results showed at least one viable option. Due to the limited resources and time available, many assumptions will need further investigation. Title: Economic Analysis of Developing a Web Based Scheduling Platform as a New Business Opportunity Author: Bhella, Opinderjit, Elliot, John, Gilliland, Garrett, Ibarra, Maria M., Rahimi, Noshad, Runde, Neil Year: 2012 The principal objective of the project was to determine the viability of proposed business alternatives by leveraging appropriate economic analysis methods. To scope and outline assumptions, a section on background research was performed and documented. The numbers from this initial research was plugged into development costs, pricing and ongoing operation expenses. Four solutions were considered: two product designs using two different development models. A conservative minimum attractive rate of return was established and applied to the models. A detailed analysis was conducted and results showed at least one viable option. Due to the limited resources and time available, many assumptions will need further investigation. Close

• 29. [Article] Development Log: Cool People Inc.

  The Development Log report will focus in a detailed description of the implementation process of the theory learnt in class in a real application for the product of Cool People Inc. There is an visible ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Development Log: Cool People Inc. Author: Upadhyay, Jubin, Alzamil, Ziyad, Charoensupyanan, Apisit, Pornsatit, Chakaphan, Soysa, Dinesh, Gomez, Fredy Year: 2012 The Development Log report will focus in a detailed description of the implementation process of the theory learnt in class in a real application for the product of Cool People Inc. There is an visible gap between theory and practice, so the team had to manage different situation where either different tools beyond the ones explained in class were used or some approaches were avoided because of lack of applicability. This report is broken down in different sections that match the flow of the book, and it explains the process and main barriers to implement the material learnt in class in the development of our new product. Title: Development Log: Cool People Inc. Author: Upadhyay, Jubin, Alzamil, Ziyad, Charoensupyanan, Apisit, Pornsatit, Chakaphan, Soysa, Dinesh, Gomez, Fredy Year: 2012 The Development Log report will focus in a detailed description of the implementation process of the theory learnt in class in a real application for the product of Cool People Inc. There is an visible gap between theory and practice, so the team had to manage different situation where either different tools beyond the ones explained in class were used or some approaches were avoided because of lack of applicability. This report is broken down in different sections that match the flow of the book, and it explains the process and main barriers to implement the material learnt in class in the development of our new product. Close

• 30. [Article] Eco-Innovation: Innovation Goes Green

  The term “eco-innovation” is thought to be first coined by Claude Fussler and Peter James in their book “Driving Eco-Innovation” in 1996. Fussler and James defined “Eco-Innovation” as new products and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Eco-Innovation: Innovation Goes Green Author: Khanam, Momtaj, Khammuang, Monticha, Gajavelly, Nikesh Year: 2014 The term “eco-innovation” is thought to be first coined by Claude Fussler and Peter James in their book “Driving Eco-Innovation” in 1996. Fussler and James defined “Eco-Innovation” as new products and process that provide customers and business value while significantly decreasing environmental impacts. However, with the passage of time with increasing concern for sustainable development eco-innovation has started to consider social and institutional aspects as well. A series of terms are used interchangeably with eco-innovation e,g, environmental innovation, innovation for sustainable development and sustainable innovation. Since 2000, environmental innovation is attracting attention to comply with ‘Lisbon Objectives’ on growth and innovation and the ‘Gothenburg priorities’ on sustainable development. Title: Eco-Innovation: Innovation Goes Green Author: Khanam, Momtaj, Khammuang, Monticha, Gajavelly, Nikesh Year: 2014 The term “eco-innovation” is thought to be first coined by Claude Fussler and Peter James in their book “Driving Eco-Innovation” in 1996. Fussler and James defined “Eco-Innovation” as new products and process that provide customers and business value while significantly decreasing environmental impacts. However, with the passage of time with increasing concern for sustainable development eco-innovation has started to consider social and institutional aspects as well. A series of terms are used interchangeably with eco-innovation e,g, environmental innovation, innovation for sustainable development and sustainable innovation. Since 2000, environmental innovation is attracting attention to comply with ‘Lisbon Objectives’ on growth and innovation and the ‘Gothenburg priorities’ on sustainable development. Close