Selected Tools and their application

Question 1

Why do we need tools

Answer 1

Innovation strategy requires up to date information

Question 2

Monitoring: Steps

Answer 2

Question 3

Monitoring: sources of information

Answer 3

• research institutes
• customers
• competitors
• other companies
• suppliers
• trade associations

Question 4

Monitoring: types of information

Answer 4

Question 5

Monitoring: methods of data collection

Answer 5

• field observation (reverse engineering, test of new products)
• direct contact to experts
• indirect contact to experts (consultants)
• publications
• data bases
• organizations

Question 6

Roadmapping

Answer 6

• technology and products interact in various ways
• method for forecasting and visualizing interdependent developments

Question 7

Roadmapping: product / technology / Process

Answer 7

• product and technology roadmap are linked in order to analyze the use of an need for technologies

Question 8

Benefits of roadmapping

Answer 8

• establishment of a shared product-technology strategy
• interlinked approach for long-range product and technology planning
• stimulation of learning and improvement of cross-functional communication
• improvement of time-to-market and time-to-money

Question 9

sicky information

Answer 9

Richest need information is usually found at user sites

Richest solution information is often found at manufacturer sties

Question 10

What follows from stickyness

Answer 10

• users typically conceive/develop functionally novel innovations
• manufacturers tend to develop improvements

Question 11

User innovation

Answer 11

Many innovations come from users
▪ User innovation can be found in many industries – really high user need for medical treatment
▪ User Innovation as “double use” – existing solution applied to existing (but unusual) need
→ new uses of drugs, often discovered by “users” (i.e., doctors)
▪ Often “first of type” innovations

Question 12

Lead user

Answer 12

• may be firm or individual
• have needs that foreshadow general demand in the marketplace
• expect to obtain high benefit from a solution to their needs

consequences:
- often innovate to solve their own needs by developing prototypes
- are often willing to freely reveal their innovations Individual lead users may also start companies

Question 13

Lead user method

Answer 13

Question 14

steps: lead user method

Answer 14

1. identify current trends
2. who is ahead of the market in these trends
3. systematic research
4. invitation to workshop
5. development of new product concepts