Is your R&D department equipped for the future?

What steps must research and development (R&D) departments take today to set themselves up to deal with the challenges of tomorrow? In a collaborative project known as R&D Management 2020, Fraunhofer IAO will team up with partners from industry to develop solutions geared toward shaping the future of activities within the R&D sector. A free launch event is to be held on May 14 and will be a chance to showcase the network’s goals and structure.

Companies are constantly being put under pressure to come up with innovations that satisfy current needs – and to do so in ever shorter cycles. In this environment, only those who successfully develop innovations that cater to customers’ current needs in a targeted way, recognize changes in the market early and harness the opportunities presented by technological trends will be able to maintain an edge over the competition.

Companies can hope to be successful in the race for innovation only if they think strategically about the way their R&D departments are set up and organize them professionally. Starting in May 2014, Fraunhofer IAO will be working alongside companies in the R&D Management 2020 project to address the current issues regarding R&D organization. As part of the network, companies will have the opportunity to introduce and use specific concepts and techniques critical to their development of R&D capacities that are better equipped to deal with future demands.

Providing access to the latest results in applied research as well as industrial best practice solutions lies at the very heart of the R&D Management 2020 initiative. Members of the innovation network also have the chance to exchange experiences with industry speakers and participating companies and make the most of the advantages these contacts bring.

Within the network, partners work alongside Fraunhofer IAO on the key issues of tomorrow and draw on tried-and-tested techniques to implement solutions tailored to individual companies’ needs. Fraunhofer IAO experts also offer individual consultations, support and coaching. For example, the Fraunhofer IAO “R&D fitness assessment” gives companies the chance to analyze their own R&D departments, to identify areas with potential for improvement and to come up with specific measures.

Fraunhofer IAO is also on hand to provide network partners with support in various other undertakings. Two of the network’s primary areas of focus are developing concrete, synchronized R&D strategies and setting up performance measurement systems for the R&D sector. Further key topics will be determined when the participants meet as a group at the launch event.

The network kicks off on May 14, 2014 with a free launch event in Stuttgart and will initially run for a period of two years. Companies wishing to be part of this forward-looking network can go to www.iao.fraunhofer.de/vk219.html to register for the launch event.

Contact
Michael Schubert
R&D Management
Fraunhofer IAO
Nobelstraße 12
70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Phone +49 711 970-2046
Email michael.schubert@iao.fraunhofer.de

http://www.iao.fraunhofer.de/lang-en/business-areas/technology-innovation-manage…