R&D project

Research and development project is a complex set of activities performed by various individuals that in theory should lead to innovation, introduction or improvement of some products or procedures. R&D project activities may look different in different institutions, those activities may be either performed by engineers (whose main objective is to develop new products) or by industrial scientists (whose main objective then is to apply research in scientific or technological fields in order to simplify future development).

Characteristics

Activities performed during research and development projects are very responsive to sudden research environment changes. This might sometimes be problematic, while new problems may appear in the real-time or meantime while conducting research.

Such process is also very complicated. The process by which activities concerning research and development project is measured, monitored, acknowledged, documented etc. varies greatly. It depends on projects, programs and organizations.

Managing development and progression of the R&D baseline

Research and development projects have to be managed in a different way than the deployment projects (they usually follow its own neat process). This different way means that managers have to among the others establish parameters framing the scope, costs and schedule, make overall review, identify research elements, make approval for the whole project.

Examples of R&D project

• Developing a new product: Developing a new product may involve a range of activities such as researching the market and understanding customer needs, designing the product, developing the engineering, testing it, developing the manufacturing process, and marketing it.
• Developing a process improvement: This type of project may involve activities such as studying current manufacturing processes, developing and testing alternative process designs, and implementing the best alternative.
• Developing a new technology: This type of project may involve activities such as researching existing technologies and their applications, developing new technologies or improving existing ones, testing and validating the technologies, and developing applications.
• Developing a new service: This type of project may involve activities such as researching customer needs, developing the service concept, designing the service, testing and validating the service, and marketing it.

Advantages of R&D project

R&D projects bring a number of advantages to the organization that conducts it. These include:

• Creativity and innovation: R&D projects allow for the exploration of new possibilities and the generation of creative solutions to existing problems. This can lead to technological advances, as well as the development of new products or services.
• Competitive advantage: Companies that are able to stay ahead of the competition by developing innovative products or services can gain a competitive edge.
• Cost savings: R&D projects can help to reduce costs by improving existing processes and products or by finding ways to create more efficient products and processes.
• Improved efficiency: R&D projects can help to improve the efficiency of existing operations, which can lead to better customer service and higher productivity.
• Improved customer satisfaction: By developing new products or services that meet customer needs, companies can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Limitations of R&D project

• One of the main limitations of R&D project is that its success is heavily dependent on the knowledge and experience of those involved. If the team lacks the necessary expertise, it may not be able to complete the project.
• Another limitation of R&D project is financial constraints. It is often difficult to obtain the necessary funding for the project, as it requires a large amount of capital.
• R&D projects also have time constraints. Research and development projects often take a long time to complete, and any delays can have a significant impact on the project's outcome.
• R&D projects often involve complex technical processes, which can be difficult to manage. This can lead to unexpected problems, which can cause delays and cost overruns.
• R&D projects can also be difficult to scale. It is often difficult to replicate the same process multiple times, and this can limit the potential of the project.
• Finally, R&D projects often require a high level of collaboration between different teams. This can be difficult to manage, and can also increase the risk of the project failing.

Other approaches related to R&D project

A research and development (R&D) project is a complex set of activities performed by various individuals or teams, with the aim of creating or improving products or procedures. In addition to the traditional engineering and scientific approaches to R&D, there are a number of other approaches that can be used in R&D projects:

• Collaborative R&D: This approach involves collaboration between teams in different organizations or countries to develop new products or services. This type of R&D may also be referred to as open innovation, as it encourages the sharing of ideas and resources between different teams.
• Customer-driven R&D: This approach focuses on understanding customer needs and creating products or services to meet those needs. This type of R&D helps to ensure that the end product or service is well-suited to customer requirements.
• Design-driven R&D: This approach involves using design principles to create products or services that are visually appealing and easy to use. This type of R&D is often used in the technology industry, as it helps to create products that are attractive and intuitive for users.
• Risk-based R&D: This approach focuses on reducing risks associated with R&D, such as financial losses and delays in product development. This type of R&D involves assessing and mitigating risks throughout the development process, in order to ensure successful outcomes.

In conclusion, research and development projects involve a range of different approaches, including engineering and scientific approaches, collaboration, customer-driven R&D, design-driven R&D, and risk-based R&D. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, and should be chosen based on the specific needs and objectives of the project.

R&D project — recommended articles

Innovation and creativity — Innovation management — Lead user — Innovation models — Incremental innovation — Core process — Adoption of innovations — Simultaneous engineering — Methods in management

References

• "Project Management in Research and Development", 2010 - Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) Project Management Working Group. [accessed 03.01.2018]
• Griffin, A., & Hauser, J. R. (1996).Integrating R&D and marketing: a review and analysis of the literature. Journal of Product Innovation Management: AN INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION OF THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, 13(3), 191-215.