Working with the IfM

Strategic Technology management

Our team of industrial practitioners work closely with your organisation to develop integrated and customised technology management solutions to create sustained competitive advantage.

Technology and Strategic roadmapping

The Institute for Manufacturing is activity involved in both research and practice, with more than 200 roadmapping applications in a diverse range of sectors and contexts. Our specialised workshop techniques have been developed to support roadmapping at both firm and sector levels. …more…

Technology intelligence

IfM researchers have created a three-level model comprising the framework, system, and process of acquiring technology intelligence. The model has been tested through case studies of technology intelligence systems in 14 technology-based companies. …more…

Open Innovation

Implementing an open innovation strategy presents many challenges for management. Our research in this area is focused on helping companies understand and overcome these challenges. …more…

Technology sourcing decisions: Make vs Buy

Business leaders are under increasing pressure to focus scarce resources on core activities, but the resulting moves to outsource can result in the loss of business-critical capabilities and undermine the firm's basis for competition and customer satisfaction. More than ever it is vital to have a structured approach to the "Make or Buy" decision (or increasingly "Do" or "Buy" as service-sector companies adopt best practice methodologies). …more…

Portfolio management

The IfM has worked closely with a number of companies to develop a suite of tools for managing new product development activities. These are known as Product, Project, Process, and Portfolio on a page.

The four tools are designed to be delivered through four half-day facilitated workshops and can be used together, to provide a complete set of NPI management tools, or individually, to focus on just one critical aspect.

In addition the IfM has carried out research into developing a balanced portfolio of programmes and projects to help prioritise research and development activity in line with the business strategy.

Assessment of early stage technologies

‘What is this technology worth?’ is a perennial question faced by technology managers and is particularly difficult for early stage technologies where traditional discounted cash flow techniques are inappropriate.

The IfM has carried out a research project on this subject and evaluated a series of techniques which can be customised and combined to help address this challenge.