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5.3.4 Introducing Innovative Technology in a Contract‐Driven Environment
Author(s) -
Myers Kenneth N.,
Beckley Jennie
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
incose international symposium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-5837
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-5837.2002.tb02520.x
Subject(s) - process (computing) , government (linguistics) , tracking (education) , product (mathematics) , knowledge management , new product development , front (military) , process management , product innovation , business , engineering management , computer science , engineering , marketing , sociology , mechanical engineering , pedagogy , philosophy , linguistics , geometry , mathematics , operating system
This paper discusses our experiences in developing and introducing a web‐centric Collaborative Engineering Environment (CEE) into an organization whose lifeblood is performing on government contracts. We review events in the team's 3‐1/2 year history that led to an increasing awareness that the product development paradigm needed to introduce innovation into the engineering organization is very different from that needed to perform successfully on a contract. While many lessons from the world of contracting have been valuable, some of the disciplined processes learned over the course of many years, such as up front specification and traditional forms of progress tracking, can hinder innovation. Finally, we summarize the process adaptations we have made to address the conflicts.