A systems approach to resource planning in new product development

This thesis documents the novel application of Design of Experiments (Design of Experiments) to the predictive modelling of resource demand information in New Product Development (NPD). Resource information is a fundamental problem across resource planning processes. No matter what tools are used to re-organise and manage the data, the essential success of the planning process lies in the data quality. The thesis begins by exploring the current resource information generation process before setting out criteria by which "good" resource data can be defined: accuracy, timeliness, consistency and transparency. It is at this juncture that the decision is taken to invest research effort in developing a predictive resource information model. Several modelling approaches are considered with little success owing to a shortage of past-project data. Resultantly, a novel approach is developed. The approach is verified through internal repetition, external repetition and comparison with a limited pool of past project data before being successfully implemented in the sponsoring company. The novel approach involves using Design of Experiments to model the tacit, process of estimating resource using hypothetical project scenarios in place of experiments. The outcome of the thesis is a process by which the tacit considerations of estimators can be modelled. Practically this translates to a useable and tested process for the development of a new approach to generating timely, accurate, consistent and transparent resource-demand-per-project information for industry leading to enhanced portfolio planning capability and resource utilisation.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

engd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Hird, Abigail

DOI

10.48730/zz7b-h861

Identifier

T13406

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:n296wz188