Executive Decisions and Product Launch Failure Most executives do not wake up in the morning intending to launch a defective product. They are not trying to damage customer trust. They are not attempting to trigger recalls, incur warranty costs, or cause reputational damage. Most are attempting to balance delivery schedules, investor expectations, internal politics, manufacturing […]
Product Development Writing — Engineering Beyond Engineering I never intended to become a writer. I intended to become a product development professional. Like many engineers, I initially believed technical competence and creativity would largely determine success. Certainly, strong engineering capability matters. But over time, reality exposes a far more complicated truth: Products rarely fail solely […]
Relaxation in Moderation and Sustainable Success Relaxation is important. Recovery matters. Rest is necessary. But “relaxation in moderation” is an idea that deserves more scrutiny than most people give it. In modern culture, relaxation is often marketed as a permanent or desired end state: avoid stress, minimize discomfort, seek convenience, optimize ease, remove friction. Yet […]
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 […]
The Fates and Project Management: Understanding Control and Uncertainty In Greek mythology, the Fates—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos—govern the thread of life. This powerful metaphor offers a compelling way to understand Fates project management in today’s unpredictable project environments. Despite detailed plans and structured methodologies, projects rarely unfold exactly as intended. Like the Fates, project managers […]
The global conversation about why projects fail often centers on methodology, certification, or process discipline. Yet despite decades of frameworks, certifications, and governance models, project failure rates still hover between 70% and 88% across industries. This post is in response to a LinkedIn post from Michael Kaplan. The problem is not always a lack of project […]
Modern products are rarely single, fixed configurations. Instead, they exist as families of variants designed to meet different customer needs, regulatory requirements, and operational environments. Managing this complexity requires a disciplined approach to product structure, configuration management, and verification. One of the most important concepts supporting this effort is the 150% eBOM. That leads to […]
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 […]
New Part Number vs Revision Level in Product Management One of the most debated topics in product management and configuration management is the decision between New Part Number and Revision Level. When should a design change require a brand-new part number?When is a revision level update sufficient? The answer affects traceability, supply chain management, quality control, […]