Product Launch Delays Continue to Impact Automotive and Technology Programs A recent Gartner study noted that nearly half of product launches experience delays of at least one month. That statistic should surprise nobody working in modern vehicle development, software-defined systems, or complex manufacturing programs. The causes of Product Launch Delays are often deeper than scheduling […]
How to Use AI in Business Processes for Faster Quoting, Smarter Design, and Improved Manufacturing Quality Artificial intelligence is no longer experimental—it is becoming essential for companies looking to improve speed, accuracy, and decision-making. The real opportunity lies in applying AI business processes across the value chain, particularly in quoting, design exploration, material substitution, and […]
Employee Engagement Trends and Strategies for High-Performing Teams Employee engagement is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it is a business imperative. Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace report reveals a troubling trend: global engagement has dropped to around 20–21%, one of the lowest levels since 2020. I have been watching this for many years now, always […]
In many organizations, teams face a subtle but dangerous behavior known as product development chicken. This occurs when individuals delay communicating problems or risks, hoping that someone else’s issue will surface first. Instead of addressing challenges early, teams wait until the project is already in trouble. The result is predictable: missed deadlines, increased costs, and […]
Why Test Failures Occur in Software Testing In software development and system engineering, test failures are often interpreted as evidence that the product contains defects. However, experienced engineers know that test failures can originate from multiple sources across the development lifecycle, not just the code itself. This post originated from a read of a LinkedIn […]
Risk Sensitivity Balance in Product Development and Manufacturing: Calculated Risks in a Technology-Driven World In today’s hypercompetitive environment, product development and manufacturing risk management have become strategic differentiators. Organizations that master risk sensitivity balance outperform those that either recklessly gamble or cautiously stall innovation. I have spoken and taught on risk management. Whenever risk comes […]
AI in Product Development & Testing: Support and Refutation Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how products are developed and tested — offering speed, insight, and automation, yet also raising questions about reliability, variability, and limits in real-world engineering. This article examines both the support for and refutation of the use of AI product development tools, […]
Quality Improvement in Product Development: The Horse Isn’t Even Near the Water Before we go any further with this blog post, I need to note that this stems from recent consulting work that demonstrated the principle. But that would not have been enough even though these thoughts were rolling through my head. The catalyst was […]
The Iterative Development Process in Modern Product Development The iterative development process is not a single activity or phase—it is a system of interconnected disciplines working together throughout the product lifecycle. The attached graphic illustrates this system as a set of interlocking gears, each representing a critical capability required to move from concept to successful […]
When the Schedule Is “Managed” but Still Sinking Not everything can be turned into a process—especially in product development, where discovery and uncertainty are unavoidable. But there is a dangerous gap between acknowledging uncertainty and pretending it is under control. The image illustrates a familiar scenario: a project manager confidently “monitoring and controlling” while the […]