Centre for Technology Management

Practical Tools for Managing Product Development Collaborations

Clare Farrukh, Peter Fraser* and Mike Gregory
Centre for Technology Management, Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX, UK

Email*: pvf20eng.cam.ac.uk

Abstract

This paper reviews the trial application of practical techniques for the assessment of product development collaboration practices within a real-time collaboration involving two SMEs. The techniques are a collaboration maturity grid to assess overall collaborative competence and a life cycle scenario tool for the examination of a specific collaborative project. It is proposed that these tools, embodied in a workbook, provide a means whereby manufacturing companies can assess the effectiveness of the collaborative activities critical to their business, and identify risks and required contingency plans as well as areas for improvement of skills or transfer of good practice. Keywords: Product development collaborations, Design chain management, Practical tools.