Project Management for Research and Development


Book Description

Today’s leading organizations recognize the importance of research and development (R&D) to maintain and grow market share. If companies want to survive into the future, they must accelerate their R&D-to-market cycles or find themselves behind the competition. Project Management for Research and Development: Guiding Innovation for Positive R&D Outcomes explains how to apply proven project management methods to obtain positive outcomes in R&D and innovation projects. It addresses the specific factors companies must consider when using project management to scope, define, and manage R&D projects. It also offers best practices and case studies that illustrate actual applications of theory. This book details methods to help readers optimize results in R&D through the use of structured processes derived from the project management field and other complementary disciplines. Each chapter includes diagrams, surveys, checklists, and question-answer forms to guide readers in determining where their activity falls along a project spectrum and to help them structure their own R&D project. The methods presented in this book can easily be applied to innovation projects and creative endeavors. As there are limited sources of information on how to utilize project management methodology effectively in these types of projects, this book is an ideal resource for anyone looking to add structure and proven methods to enable R&D, innovation, and other creative activities.




Management of Research and Development Organizations


Book Description

This edition has been completely revised. The authors, noted authorities in the field, focus on ways to improve R&D organization productivity and foster excellence in such companies. They describe how to design jobs, organize hierarchies, resolve conflicts, motivate employees, and create an innovative work environment. Features extensive cross-cultural coverage of European and Pacific Rim R&D organizations and policies which greatly differ from the US. Includes an entirely new section on various strategic planning elements unique to an R&D organization along with a case study.




Managing Research, Development and Innovation


Book Description

Now fully revised and updated the classic book on effective R&D management "This thoughtful and detailed work outlines what is required in order to achieve the desired end results in a networked world where teamwork and collaboration are increasingly important to globally dispersed workforces." JOHN CHAMBERS, Chairman and CEO, Cisco Praise for the Second Edition "This is a superbly written book and could make an excellent reference and text for related university courses." E. LILE MURPHREE, JR., PHD, former Chairman, Department of Engineering Management, The George Washington University "Provides a superb exposition of the role that social and psychological phenomena play in today's organizations." FRED E. FIEDLER, Professor of Psychology Emeritus, University of Washington, Seattle As the economy shifts from producing goods to producing information, the role of researchers in shaping the future has become immense. By taking advantage of modern technology, the highly trained and predominantly autonomous researchers from around the globe collect and share information better than ever yet, there is still a lack of an effective centralized structure for an R&D organization manager to integrate the efforts from many disparate individuals into a unified plan. Managing Research, Development, and Innovation, Third Edition covers the management skills and leadership theories essential to generating products and excelling in today's global economy. Topics of interest include how to design jobs, organize hierarchies, resolve conflicts, motivate employees, and create an innovative work environment. Discover how superior management skills can increase funding, generate profit, and improve the effectiveness of technologically based organizations. This new revised edition: Covers all aspects of the research and development process with focus on the human management function Includes two new chapters covering the innovation process critical to research and development of new products and services Outlines the challenging issues related to diversity in science and technology organizations and provides insights as to how diversity can be used to enhance creativity Managing Research, Development, and Innovation, Third Edition is the most complete, insightful book of its kind. Useful for professionals and graduate students alike, the text demonstrates in clear, straightforward prose how good management skills will shape the future.




Participatory Research and Development for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management


Book Description

Intended for aspiring and new practitioners of Participatory Research and Development (PR&D) as well as field-based researchers in developing countries. Highlights that agricultural research and development has become a joint approach to deal with diverse biophysical environments, multiple livelihood goals, rapid changes in local and global economies, and an expanded range for stakeholders over agriculture and natural resources.




Research and Development Management


Book Description

This book introduces readers to essential technology assessment and forecasting tools, demonstrating their use on the basis of multiple cases. As organizations in the high-tech industry need to be able to assess emerging technologies, the book presents cases in which formal decision-making models are developed, providing a framework for decision-making in the context of technology acquisition and development. Applications of different technology forecasting tools are also discussed for a range of technologies and sectors, providing a guide to keep R&D organizations abreast of technological trends that affect their business. As such, the book offers a valuable the theoretical and practical reference guide for R&D managers responsible for emerging and future technologies.




Managing Projects in Research and Development


Book Description

Research and Development is the vehicle by which organizations and economies create opportunity, innovation and secure a stream of future products and services.These outcomes are all critically important sources of sustainability in a world that is changing faster than most companies can keep up.The challenge behind them is the fundamental unpredictability of R&D; which is why effective project management is so important. Ron Basu's Managing Projects in Research and Development explains how and why project management can provide a means of helping to plan, organise and control multi-disciplinary research activities without stifling innovation. Combining research with practical examples and experience from a career that has included blue chip organizations such as GSK, GlaxoWellcome and Unilever, Ron Basu offers a rigorous guide to the fundamentals of R&D project management including project lifecycle management, risk management, cost, time quality and other success measures as well as the keys to operational excellence in this complicated world.




Research for Development


Book Description

`[Research for Development] is well-written and, at every stage, is well-documented with practical examples. The simplicity with which it is written adds to its value in that non-professional persons get well-aquainted with the research process. Every chapter in the book ends with highlighting of the main points made in that chapter... A further strength of the book is the inclusion of an appendix with a list of websites that deal with issues in the area of development research... the simplicity of its organization and message should appeal to people/researchers across disciplines' - Pakistan Development Review `Research for Development achieves the near impossible: it provides vast quantities of useful guidance for almost anyone involved in research for development regardless of the size of your research project or your role within that project' - Arvac Bulletin `Written by professional researchers, this immensely practical book provides development workers with a more research-oriented point of view, so that they can avoid mistakes in the design of programmes. It will also help them to understand people's needs and respond accordingly' - The Asian Age `It is a beautiful and comprehensive compilation giving scores of instances that prove the essentiality if carrying out a survey of a particular locality for bringing about a change there' - Rafique Jalal, DAWN This book provides a comprehensive introduction and handbook for undertaking and managing research in development. It is designed to provide both a quick reference manual and an indispensable learning tool for all students, researchers and practitioners engaged in development work. The text is divided into two parts: Managing research for development, and Doing research for development. Together the two parts review the complete research process from outlining the essential role and purpose of research, highlighting specific issues to development research, to demonstrating how to evaluate and secure the best results from subsequent research projects. The book includes: an overview of different types of research in development work; practical steps to writing a brief and managing research; practical steps to evaluating and promoting research findings; step by step guides to getting started and choosing a research method; detailed guidelines to seven key research techniques; examples, exercises, summaries and checklists; and glossary and guides to additional resources and packages Drawing on considerable hands-on experience, Research for Development will be an essential companion and invaluable tool for anyone engaged in contemporary development research, development work and development studies.




Innovation, Research and Development Management


Book Description

In today’s business environment, as organizations constantly seek to growth and develop through the optimization of their innovative and creative potential, understanding the critical issues and management practices in R & D is essential. This book provides a critical revaluation of the state of the art issues and concepts in R&D management. The views expressed are those of leading French researchers and professionals in this field, fed by empirical studies in national and international firms.




Learning and Development for Managers


Book Description

This text describes, analyses and synthesises a wide range ofcontemporary issues from research and practice in the field ofindividual and collective workplace learning and development. Enables students and managers of learning and development(L&D) to understand the theory and practice of L&D inorganizations. Explores the concept of learning from a variety of perspectivesthrough the use of examples of research and practice from all overthe world. Takes a broad view of learning as encompassing both explicitand implicit and individual and collective learningprocesses. Argues that the practice of L&D should be based upon arigorous theoretical and empirical base. Each chapter uses synopses of research studies and case studiesfrom businesses to illustrate the most important theories, conceptsand models. Lists of key concepts, knowledge outcomes, ‘perspectivesfrom practice’, ‘perspectives from research’,discussion points (for individual or class use), and conceptchecklists to benefit both students and teachers. Is illustrated throughout with diagrams, tables and‘L&D facts and figures’.




Knowledge to Policy


Book Description

Investigates the effects of research in the field of international development.. Examines the consequences of 23 research projects funded by Canada's International Development Research Centre in developing countries. Shows how research influence public policy and decision-making and how can contribute to better governance.