Managing Process Innovation From Idea Generation To Implementation

This book will take the reader through a systematic examination of the factors involved in process innovation. It starts with the considerations to be initiated in the boardroom and at group management level and develops into a hands-on guide for middle management and professional engineers directly involved in the innovation of process technology. The book initially puts process innovation in a corporate perspective, providing a framework for the development of a corporate process innovation strategy. Some new methodological tools are also introduced which support the targeting and proper roadmapping of improved process capabilities, and the progression of customer and end-user product demands, into raw-material specifications in a well-managed supply and demand chain.Various aspects of the design of a process innovation organisation are reviewed in a later section. In the context of the development of process technology, this book advocates the importance of delineating and clarifying corporate work processes. Various environments for development work are discussed, from initial test work to pilot-plant testing and the use of demonstration facilities to achieve lean process innovation. The importance of an open collaborative approach is stressed. This includes involving external equipment manufacturers at an early stage as well as collaborative development of customers' use of the products in their production processes, with a view to excellence in future application development.Process innovation will not, however, generate profit or reduce operating costs until the new or improved process technology is operating well in the plant. Best practice for start-up of new process technology and process plants is examined, starting with a fresh outlook on technology transfer in general. This often-neglected area of management of process innovation is, in fact, of an importance equivalent to that of a product launch in the development of new products. The final part of the book closes the circle, discussing how to implement and measure the strategic intent of process innovation. Improving the general performance of corporate process innovation is then covered by going through success factors and key performance indicators, and their aggregation on a corporate level.

This book describes the phases for innovative metallurgical process development, from concept to commercialization. Key features of the book include: • Need for process innovation • Selection and optimization of process steps • Determination of the commercial feasibility of a process including engineering and equipment selection • Determination of the environmental footprint of a process • Case-study examples of innovative process development

This book is for directors, consultants, practitioners, and professionals aspiring to effectively manage operations, but is targeted at applying innovation to the management of operations, including supply chains. It is appropriate for those establishing a career in innovation and operations management. This book will: Equip readers with understanding of the nature of innovation, operations management concepts, business models, methods and tools; Explore best practices and most commonly used operations and innovation business models, methods, and tools used by successful organisations; Consider particular operational issues directly impact the competitiveness of organisations

In today's highly competitive industrial climate, and in times of limited company resources and a continual need to improve company performance in all areas, the use of effective and efficient tools and development methodologies for research and development (R&D) is one interesting avenue to follow. Thus, the question is not really whether they should be deployed or not, but rather which methodologies and best-practices should be used, and why, when and how they should be deployed.Contemporary Quality Function Deployment for Product and Process Innovation: Towards Digital Transformation of Customer and Product Information in a New Knowledge-Based Approach introduces the reader to the industrial use of the Quality Function Development (QFD) methodology in product and process innovation. Customer, product, and production data related to each product family will be digitized in the matrix structures used in this methodology, and be made accessible, more transparent, and visible, thus facilitating a holistic product information perspective. Moreover, using this information in the creation of Integrated Knowledge Platforms (IKPs), supporting more digitalized product and process innovation work processes, will speed up product development and capture vital information to be used in your next-generation product innovation projects. From an overall company perspective, the well-proven ability of the QFD methodology to stimulate cross-functional product innovation will guide product innovation towards a new knowledge-based approach in its enhanced digital transformation and use of integrated customer, product, and production informationUsing the QFD methodology, you will learn how to create a retrievable and accumulated digitized company knowledge base, coupled with improved company communication. You will get better decision support, assisting in the development of better product specifications, and resulting in better products, and ultimately leading to improved customer satisfaction. The adoption of the QFD tool and matrices in building such well-structured knowledge-based platforms (IKPs) related to individual products or product families is the heart of the matter and the 'hidden gem' of QFD methodology use.The book aims to serve as a manual introducing the methodology and how to use it, offering a guiding framework, and being a handbook for the methodology's industrial use for both newcomers and product developers. Furthermore, it offers new perspectives on a more efficient and effective use of the QFD methodology for the seasoned practitioner. This book can also serve as a textbook for students in all disciplines of the natural sciences, innovation management, product design, and engineering. Each part of the book concludes with a number of questions that can be used as learning instruments in lecturing and for more advanced tutorials.

In order to stay efficient, companies need to improve their existing business processes on a continuous basis. To ensure competitive edge, it is essential for companies to adapt radically to new business opportunities and when external demands change. However, experience and research show that companies have difficulties managing both the continuous improvement of the existing system and radical change at the same time. By using TQM and BPR to represent the two approaches to change Tor Tønnessen contributes to the understanding of the challenges of this integration and shows ways to accomplish a successful synergistic combining of the two approaches.

This management manual and textbook introduces the theoretical basics of process management and provides a procedural model for process innovation. The procedural model makes it possible to develop customer-oriented processes in a structured manner and to design them in order to meet changing requirements. This textbook has been recommended and developed for university courses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This book enables readers to understand and apply the seven phase procedural model for process innovation in order to design and implement innovative processes. Exercises and review questions test understanding of the theoretically acquired knowledge.

Best Practice: Process Innovation Management highlights best practice in innovation by bringing together practitioners and researchers in this field. This book presents contributions from leading academics and practitioners involved with innovation. They bring together all the strands of research, best practice and advice establishing an essential source of information for all involved with process innovation management.