Wiley Series in Engineering and Technology Management – serie

Describes principles and methodologies necessary to build efficient and highly productive work systems in high tech organizations that must develop and deploy new products in a timely fashion with competitive advantage. Presents techniques applicable to small high tech consumer products or large complex systems requiring cost control, waste minimization and rapid product development. Stresses methodologies to be used for strategic advantage. Suggests diverse strategic plans and their pros and cons, depending on the product and markets.

The first and only step-by-step guide to selecting the best R&Dprojects In today's fiercely competitive global economy, so much depends onmaking the correct R&D project choice. The first and only guideoffering comprehensive coverage of state-of-the-art selectiontechniques now being used by decision-makers in industry,government, and academe, R&D Project Selection is anindispensable working resource for research and developmentmanagers, department heads, administrators, policymakers,consulting engineers, and all those involved in the projectselection and management process. Applicable to all fields oftechnical, engineering, and scientific research it:* Provides an in-depth analysis of the nine major selectionmethods--including cluster analysis, cognitive modeling,simulation, portfolio optimization, and decision theory* Explores the strengths and weaknesses of each and shows how theyrelate to one another* Features extensive coverage of the data requirements for eachmethod* Supplies R&D managers with clear guidelines on how toeffectively tailor the various selection methods to meet thedemands of their organizations' unique situations and goals* Offers scientists and engineers a wealth of proposal-writing tipsthat can dramatically increase their chances of getting funding fortheir projects The first and only professional guide devoted exclusively to thesubject, R&D Project Selection describes the most successfulproject selection methods now in use in government, industry, andacademe. Based on its author's extensive professional experience as well ashis exhaustive review of the past 30 years of R&D managementliterature, it provides an in-depth analysis of nine majorselection methods--including cluster analysis, cognitive modeling,simulation, portfolio optimization, decision theory, and others. Itexplores the strengths and weaknesses of each, shows how theyrelate to one another, and provides extensive coverage (sixchapters) of the data requirements for each. Just as importantly, this unique guide provides R&D managerswith clear guidelines on how to effectively tai-lor the variousselection methods discussed to meet the demands of theirorganizations' unique situations and goals. Applicable to all fields of technical, engineering, and scientificresearch, R&D Project Selection is an indispensable workingresource for R&D managers working in industry, academe, andgovernment. It arms them with clear, step-by-step guidelines on howto effectively select projects so as not to fall short on workalready in progress or to overcommit and exceed availableresources. At the same time, it supplies scientists and engineerswith a wealth of information on how best to tailor their projectproposals to increase the likelihood of funding.

Reviews basic principles and presents techniques for evaluating and making decisions about investments and the acquisition of capital projects in industry and the private sector. Provides management and control techniques for construction of facilities or installation and operation of machinery and equipment. Covers sensitivity analysis and methods for ranking projects. Discusses the limitations of various methods. Explains how to carry out economic studies for the proper allocation of capital spending.