Working with many R&D projects, I am lucky enough to have witnessed ‘miracle’ moments.
One is a company to start a very challenging project. They spent time and money for initial research, looking into what others do. However, knowledge accumulation didn’t bring them anywhere relevant.
Then, an engineer popped in. What happened?
The other one is abandoned project by a big name company. They had an engineering product ready for market almost but they pulled the plug.
A small company took over it and had an experienced engineer. What’s happened?
Both ended up with significant success. Especially, the latter impacted its industry and doubled the value of the company instantly.
There is commonality for both, more than enough budged and number of people. And, they already had ALMOST-SUCCESSFUL development even before the turning point. Even so, they are heading to bin their project in vain.
Simple rule is missed….
You aren’t be surprised by the fact there is some random move in R&D world. Scientific approach is main stream but we never stop our effort just because we don’t have 100% explanation. If it worked, it would be an engineering success in a sense.
This ‘natural selection’ made product better in long run (how efficient is other question though…) unless you keep one single rule.
Back to conversation in Tokyo
‘Guess how did a new joiner change the situation?’
I also questioned to my Tokyo friend on this topic. And… heard right answer immediately.
OK. He is very experienced engineer. But, I am still surprised by his answer and impressed by the discipline Japanese engineer carries.
It’s…. Performance Index
The cases above missed right performance index. That’s it.
If you are questioned, ‘my drone doesn’t fly well. why?’, you would notice this type of problem right away, and then, you ask:
What do you mean by ‘doesn’t fly well’ ?
It’s about stability?
It’s about flying time?
It’s about flying range?
You just need an index, measurable and connected to the final performance of product, for any development act. This makes a final touch possible to put R&D project right the way you benefit it.
For both cases, a guy figured out an effective index to evaluate the performance. It’s secured immediate right decision and mid-term success also unsurprisingly.
So simple but even big name misses this basics time to time.
Don’t travel without compass!
Author: Sergio T