https://www.tcgen.com/Recent content in Product Consulting Experts on TCGen - Product Development ExpertsHugoen-usWed, 25 Feb 2026 23:41:42 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/ai-transformation-consulting/Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:41:42 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/ai-transformation-consulting/<h2 id="are-you-using-ai-but-not-seeing-its-benefits">Are You Using AI But Not Seeing Its Benefits?</h2> <p>Your board or CEO is asking for more AI — but without a clear sense of where to focus or what success looks like. Your teams are already experimenting, and individuals are finding real value in their daily work. But those experiments haven&rsquo;t added up to something you can point to yet. You&rsquo;re trying to figure out how to move faster without disrupting what&rsquo;s already working, but sometimes it feels like you spend more time cleaning up AI slop than just building what you know.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/new-product-development-creating-great-products-tcgen-new/Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:00:52 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/new-product-development-creating-great-products-tcgen-new/<h2 id="what-is-new-product-development-npd">What is new product development (NPD)?</h2> <p>New product development is the ideation, design, production, pricing, and launching of new products to your target customers to provide a solution that addresses an important need.</p> <p>Business / large corp CTA text.</p> <p>More explanations or details of the target audience for this information.</p> <p>Inventors and physical products</p> <p>More explanations or details of the target audience for this information.</p> <p>App ideas / startups CTA text.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/time-to-market/Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:16:37 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/time-to-market/<div class="faq-section prose prose-lg max-w-none space-y-6"> <div class="faq-item"> <h2 id="what-is-time-to-market-ttm">What is Time to Market (TTM)?</h2><p>Time to market (TTM) describes how long it takes to develop a product from conception until it is released to the market and available for sale.</p> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <h2 id="why-it-is-important">Why It Is Important?</h2><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden;"> <iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HVBxsIz9cMA" title="Time To Market (TTM): What it is &amp; Why It&#39;s Important" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Time To Market (TTM): What it is \u0026 Why It's Important", "description": "Time to market (TTM) is the length of time to develop a product from conception until it is released to the market and is available for sale.", "thumbnailUrl": [ "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HVBxsIz9cMA/maxresdefault.jpg", "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HVBxsIz9cMA/hqdefault.jpg" ], "uploadDate": "2026-02-11T21:16:37Z", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/HVBxsIz9cMA", "contentUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVBxsIz9cMA" } </script> <p>Time to market is essential because it allows you to get to the market before competitors and increases sales, profit, and market share.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-strategy-consulting/Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:12:20 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-strategy-consulting/<p>TCGen’s Product Strategy Consulting helps you get the greatest return from your ideas.</p> <!-- TODO: insert client banner bar --> <p>Our Product Strategy Consulting service helps you align your product development efforts with your overarching business goals. We address critical challenges in product alignment, innovation, and strategic investment, helping you create market-leading products.</p> <p>​​This consulting service may be used independently, or in conjunction with our Product Management, or Product Development consulting capabilities. It may also be supplemented with our training or coaching services.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford/Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:06:40 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford_hu_abf4ae089df9739d.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford_hu_cf4f83460934f4bf.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford_hu_d9c9f0731293eaa5.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford_hu_b3ce5666a5b606d4.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Jeanne Bradford" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>As Principal of TCGen, Jeanne has been a trusted advisor to some of the industry&rsquo;s leading technology companies in the areas of product development, program management, and operations.</p> <p>She has led global organizations to deliver compelling products and technologies for companies like Apple, Cisco, and Fitbit. While at Apple, Jeanne lead the cross-functional team that rearchitected the company’s new product development process, which focused on improving speed, scale and predictability. The Apple New Product Development Process (ANPP) has withstood the test of time and today is foundational to the company’s ability to predictably release new products to market.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/brad-taylor/Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:44:19 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/brad-taylor/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brad-taylor-square_hu_b441c567a5da7b38.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brad-taylor-square_hu_fb61016c18de5594.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brad-taylor-square_hu_586b13e360b852a5.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brad-taylor-square_hu_d61d258c8815c008.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Brad Taylor" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brad-taylor-square.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Brad is a hands-on, mission-driven engineering executive who has led teams across a variety of industries, including healthcare, accessibility, gaming, pets and payments. He is currently a fractional CTO and advisor to tech startups in healthtech and climate change. Previously, he served as CTO of Nursa and Galileo, and led multiple engineering verticals at Marqeta through their IPO. Early in his career, Brad led the development of the world&rsquo;s first open-source electronic medical record, OpenVista CIS, while at Medsphere.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/media/Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:25:23 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/media/<h2 id="about-tcgen">About TCGen</h2> <p>TCGen Inc. is a product management and product development consulting firm based in Menlo Park, California. TCGen advises companies on accelerating product innovation and reducing costs by working with teams and management to unlock the value they already have in engineering and marketing.</p> <p>TCGen assists companies in the strategy and innovation processes through product definition, execution, and launch. TCGen has helped cut time to market, rapidly scale product programs, foster a product mindset and improve innovation.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/ai-adoption-frameworks-executive-research/Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/ai-adoption-frameworks-executive-research/<h2 id="executive-summary-faster-code-migration-new-zero-one-products-and-better-quicker-prototyping-are-clear-early-stage-ai-successes">Executive Summary: Faster Code Migration, New Zero-One Products, and Better, Quicker Prototyping are clear, early stage AI successes</h2> <ul> <li>In Summer of 2025, we interviewed <strong>15 executives</strong> about leveraging AI to <strong>build better products faster</strong>. Our interviewees had combined experiences ranging from VC-backed startups, PE-backed growth stage, and public company boards. Most dealt with software, and level of AI readiness ranged from “dipping toe in the water” to “we use it for every task, every day”</li> <li>Across the board, interviewees reported immense <strong>pressure for “more AI”</strong> from the board and CEO, with more reserved excitement from the C-Suite. Most wanted <strong>better primary measures of success</strong>.</li> <li>Our findings showed clear differences between higher and lower performing teams – both in terms of adoption and reported productivity gains. Key factors were building a <strong>culture of experimentation with AI</strong>, ease of <strong>incorporating the latest tools</strong>, sophistication in <strong>managing expectations</strong> of what AI can and cannot do well.</li> <li>Found compelling evidence on <strong>10x time-to-market gains in specific areas</strong>, notably prototypes, zero to one features, and migrations. Doing work in days that would have taken weeks. Also found meaningful instances of spend avoidance in build vs buy.</li> <li>All organizations reported widespread adoption at individual level, especially around coming up to speed on a new market or leveraging it as a thought partner. Few companies had team-level deployments but those who did reported <strong>20%-50% overall time to market improvement</strong>. Most others estimated gains closer to 10%.</li> <li>Found several powerful best practices among the high performing teams –1) treat <strong>AI deployment like a change management project</strong>, including measuring sentiment &amp; adoption, doing training, and measuring results; 2) <strong>manage context explicitly</strong>, keep accountability with the human-in-the loop, and versioning prompts; and 3) proactively steer clear of ways AI can inadvertently <strong>dig you a hole you can’t get out of</strong>.</li> </ul> <figure ><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/blog/2025/ai-adoption/overall-productivity-gains_hu_fd2a496691e0e863.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/blog/2025/ai-adoption/overall-productivity-gains_hu_153ba911d5dc3123.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/blog/2025/ai-adoption/overall-productivity-gains_hu_f8fc0130b3491469.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/blog/2025/ai-adoption/overall-productivity-gains_hu_5c72c3d2166549c7.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Chart showing productivity gains by AI maturity level" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/blog/2025/ai-adoption/overall-productivity-gains.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ><figcaption class="pb-2 px-2 text-xs italic text-center">We observed 50% overall productivity gains among teams with high AI Maturity and broad adoption among team members.</figcaption> </figure> <h2 id="ai-is-eating-the-world-of-software">AI Is Eating The World Of Software</h2> <p>If you haven&rsquo;t heard, Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. CEOs and business leaders at all levels know they need to adjust—whether leading a growth-stage startup, a mature enterprise, a public company, or one navigating strategic transition. What makes this moment unusual is how many disruptions are converging simultaneously under the singular label of “AI.” It is a productivity tool, a platform shift, a rapidly evolving customer expectation, a disruptive technology, a competitive threat, and a business model transformation all at once.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/nolan-myers/Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:06:48 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/nolan-myers/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/nolan-myers_hu_a8e1dff3bb121d7b.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/nolan-myers_hu_432bf2fc94ed339d.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/nolan-myers_hu_4e77ed5a32ba4371.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/nolan-myers_hu_1e92d626b940fc4f.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Nolan Myers" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/nolan-myers.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Nolan Myers is the owner and Principal Consultant of TCGen, where he helps organizations accelerate innovation and deliver better products to market faster. His path blends art, science, and technology — from playing violin at a performing arts high school in Houston to building products used by millions. A Harvard-trained computer scientist, Nolan has spent his career at the intersection of creativity and engineering, helping teams turn ideas into elegant, impactful products.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/privacy-policy/Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:15:41 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/privacy-policy/<p>Your privacy is critically important to us.</p> <p>It is TCGen Inc&rsquo;s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our website. This Privacy Policy applies to <a href="https://tcgen.com">https://tcgen.com</a> (hereinafter, &ldquo;us&rdquo;, &ldquo;we&rdquo;, or &ldquo;<a href="https://www.tcgen.com">https://www.tcgen.com</a>&rdquo;). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting personally identifiable information you may provide us through the Website. We have adopted this privacy policy (&ldquo;Privacy Policy&rdquo;) to explain what information may be collected on our Website, how we use this information, and under what circumstances we may disclose the information to third parties. This Privacy Policy applies only to information we collect through the Website and does not apply to our collection of information from other sources.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/consulting/Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:03:30 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/consulting/<h2 id="what-tcgen-can-do-for-your-company">What TCGen Can Do For Your Company</h2> <p>Whether you&rsquo;re a startup or an established firm, TCGen&rsquo;s Consulting services and agile training can help you achieve your product goals. We help companies increase revenue and profit margins by building great products using agile processes, including setting up the right-sized agile framework for your organization (including DevOps).</p> <p>We have assisted clients across various industries, including healthcare, financial services, and SAAS, in adopting agile methodologies and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to enhance their strategy execution throughout the product life cycle (or across value streams) and increase adaptability. Our approach to agile and SAFe implementation incorporates beneficial automation, which empowers organizations to optimize their processes, foster better collaboration, and deliver high-quality products and services. By acting as a program consultant, we guide our clients through the complexities of implementing these methodologies. Our success stories and case studies affirm how we have enabled clients to achieve significant outcomes and drive business value by applying agile methods and SAFe principles strategically.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting-newer-better-faster-test/Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:04:17 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting-newer-better-faster-test/<h2 id="why-a-product-management-consultant">Why a Product Management Consultant?</h2> <p>You’re probably facing one of these common problems:</p> <ul> <li>Products don’t delight customers</li> <li>Products don’t meet financial objectives</li> <li>Product management and product marketing roles lack clarity</li> <li>Products are late due to changes in requirements</li> <li>Product managers and product teams are burned out</li> <li>The organization does not have a product mindset</li> </ul> <p>We’re making better decisions, faster.</p> <ul> <li>Apple Executive</li> </ul> <p>Product Management Consultants can be a solution for this typical set of problems that plague organizations and their and product management team.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/clients/case-study-create-innovation-pipeline/Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:26:01 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/clients/case-study-create-innovation-pipeline/<aside class="aside aside-takeaways rounded-2xl shadow-md shadow-brand-blue-darker p-6 mt-8"> <div class="aside-content"> <h2 id="executive-summary">Executive Summary</h2> <p>TCGen helped a globally recognized technology company build an innovation-to-commercialization pipeline to diversify beyond a declining core product.</p> <p>Key steps in the transformation:</p> <ul> <li>Designed a venture system with ring-fenced funding, dedicated discovery organization, venture board, and clear evaluation criteria modeled on VC best practices</li> <li>Surfaced and evaluated ventures across the organization using a balanced scorecard approach</li> <li>Launched 3 high-potential ventures into incubation with dedicated funding, full-stack teams, and seed-round-style milestones</li> <li>Augmented capabilities for newly-formed teams with market research and customer discovery</li> </ul> <p><em><strong>Results</strong></em>: catalyzed engagement from 40+ teams, established repeatable innovation pipeline, created transparent investment framework that built organizational culture and structure for sustained innovation</p>https://www.tcgen.com/clients/case-study-improve-product-definition/Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:22:28 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/clients/case-study-improve-product-definition/<aside class="aside aside-takeaways rounded-2xl shadow-md shadow-brand-blue-darker p-6 mt-8"> <div class="aside-content"> <h2 id="executive-summary">Executive Summary</h2> <p>TCGen helped Bio-Rad transform a struggling flagship product into their #1 revenue platform for 17+ years by building internal customer-discovery capability.</p> <p>Key steps in the transformation</p> <ul> <li>Assembled cross-functional teams for direct customer immersion (100+ structured interviews)</li> <li>Used Market-Driven Product Definition (MDPD) and Kano frameworks analysis to structure and prioritize team insights</li> <li>Coached internal teams to own the methodology, creating lasting culture</li> </ul> </div> </aside> <h2 id="background">Background</h2> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/bio-rad.svg" alt="Bio-Rad logo" class="w-32 md:w-40 lg:w-48 shadow-md rounded md:float-right md:ml-6 md:mb-4 clear-right p-2 bg-white"> A global life-sciences company—one of the largest producers of diagnostic instruments and reagents—was preparing to launch a new generation of its flagship testing platform. The product represented the company&rsquo;s core business and the majority of its profits. Despite technical excellence, previous launches had underperformed due to weak product definition: unclear customer needs, internal silos, and late-stage redesigns. They had lost market share to competitors.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/clients/case-study-develop-product-mindset/Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/clients/case-study-develop-product-mindset/<aside class="aside aside-takeaways rounded-2xl shadow-md shadow-brand-blue-darker p-6 mt-8"> <div class="aside-content"> <h2 id="executive-summary">Executive Summary</h2> <p>TCGen transformed a struggling product management organization facing chronic delays and customer misses by diagnosing capability gaps through a competency framework and implementing a mentor-led upskilling program.</p> <p>Key steps in the transformation:</p> <ul> <li>Used competency framework to diagnose root causes: PM capability gaps (especially business acumen and customer-centricity) and unclear decision rights across product, business, and IT</li> <li>Developed improvement roadmap addressing PM training, clarified decision rights, and rationalized project loads</li> <li>Implemented through internal mentorship: coached high-performing PMs to train peers in specific competencies, embedding knowledge-sharing culture</li> </ul> <p><em><strong>Results</strong></em>: improved decision-making clarity, measurably stronger business acumen and customer focus, sustained internal capability development</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/case-study-unlocking-speed-through-integration/Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:28:18 -0700https://www.tcgen.com/blog/case-study-unlocking-speed-through-integration/<a href="https://www.seagullsoftware.com/"> <img class="float-right w-48 ml-4 mb-4 p-4 bg-white rounded-md shadow-lg shadow-brand-blue" src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/seagull.svg" alt="Seagull"> </a> <!-- Testing. this comment can be removed later. --> <p>Seagull Software combined world class labeling with item level Track and Trace to deliver a unified solution with big upside: make BigRiver Product Authenticity easy. Print a unique per-carton code, scan it, and verify product authenticity end to end. The vision was clear, the market need was real, and investor expectations were high. The missing piece was proof. After months of hard work, the team had built solid components—APIs were in place, unit tests passed—but work was organized in long stretches that produced little stakeholders could see. Nothing yet ran end to end, so while the project was advancing, others could not see the evidence. Confidence began to waver, and the board set a clear challenge: demonstrate something market-ready in ten weeks to prove the approach could deliver.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/best-product-management-book/Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/best-product-management-book/<p><em>Product management can be difficult, but with the right information, it becomes a lot easier. Click here to learn more about the 15 product management books that are guaranteed to help you on your product management journey.</em></p> <p>In the age of the Internet, modern product managers are lucky to have a wide range of resources available to help them learn effective product management.</p> <p>From webinars to blogs, YouTube channels, and podcasts, there are a plethora of learning platforms that product managers can use to enhance their skillset.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/startup-founder-coaching/Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:46:23 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/startup-founder-coaching/<h2 id="founders-deal-with-many-questions-and-tough-situations">Founders deal with many questions and tough situations…</h2> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/startup-founders-how-do-i-1280x648_hu_f50dab12c021574d.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/startup-founders-how-do-i-1280x648_hu_118b997a420d893e.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/startup-founders-how-do-i-1280x648_hu_97475a05ca36aaf5.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/startup-founders-how-do-i-1280x648_hu_ef50f9598c0df23c.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/startup-founders-how-do-i-1280x648.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <!-- Alt text for the image ### How do I... - Focus on the **big picture** while keeping aware of **risks and - obstacles**? - **Create a culture** of urgency and empowerment? - Leverage **best practices** where they work and innovate where needed? - **Hire the right people** to scale the team? - Navigate the relationship with my **cofounder**? - - **Prioritize my time** amid many competing priorities? - - Deal with an **underperforming sales leader**? - - Maintain my **mental health** amid the chaos? - - Delegate and **empower** while still holding my team **accountable**?  --> <h2 id="startup-founder-coaching-practice">Startup Founder Coaching Practice</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Manage more effectively</strong> by refining and articulating what you want</li> <li><strong>Improve your strategic thinking</strong> and prioritize effectively</li> <li><strong>Build a high-performance culture</strong> by both empowering your team <em>and</em> holding them accountable for results</li> <li><strong>Increase your confidence</strong> and speed through increased self-awareness and resilience</li> <li><strong>Deal with conflict</strong> constructively and <strong>manage underperformance</strong> adeptly</li> </ul> <!-- > “Working with Nolan helped me create a more self-accountable team. He brings emotional maturity and experience, helping me build on my existing skills while identifying critical deficiencies and acquiring tools to approach challenges constructively. This has boosted my confidence, reduced my stress, and now allows me to focus on what matters most to me and my company’s success. Thanks to this work, I feel happier and more fulfilled as a founder and CEO.” --> <blockquote> <p>“Working with Nolan helped me create a more self-accountable team. He brings emotional maturity and experience, helping me build on my existing skills while identifying critical deficiencies and acquiring tools to approach challenges constructively.”</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/predictive-metrics-measuring-the-right-things-to-ensure-project-success/Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:37:30 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/predictive-metrics-measuring-the-right-things-to-ensure-project-success/<h2 id="predictive-metrics-whats-new">Predictive Metrics. What’s New?</h2> <p>Companies are measuring the wrong things and ending up with the wrong results. Many times we get stuck on measuring what’s easy instead of what’s useful, or we focus on validating whether we succeeded or failed instead of measuring the elements that would tell us that a project is getting ready to go off the rails. Predictive metrics are the solution to that problem, and the Predictive Metrics Tree is the tool that helps ensure you’re measuring the right actions to achieve your program goals.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/medical-device-product-development-consulting-services/Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:34:06 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/medical-device-product-development-consulting-services/<p><em>TCGen’s Medical Device Product Development Consulting helps you develop better products, faster</em></p> <h2 id="increase-product-innovation-and-reduce-time-to-market-while-ensuring-compliance">Increase product innovation and reduce time to market, while ensuring compliance</h2> <p>Successful products are a company&rsquo;s lifeblood, and your medical device product development strategy is essential to success. But even great companies occasionally experience periods where they are late to market, troubled by regulatory compliance, and their design control or quality management systems limit agility. This is where TCGen can help.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/rd-consulting-services/Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:10:49 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/rd-consulting-services/<h2 id="increase-product-innovation-and-reduce-time-to-market">Increase product innovation and reduce time to market</h2> <p>Successful products are a company&rsquo;s lifeblood, and your R&amp;D product management strategy is essential to success. One of the most important aspects of R&amp;D strategy is the transfer of technology from experiment to product. This is where TCGen can help.</p> <h2 id="when-should-you-hire-a-rd-consultant">When should you hire a R&amp;D consultant?</h2> <p>An experienced R&amp;D consultant can bring an outside view and expertise to help you bring your product execution to the next level and increase product-market fit. You may need to…</p>https://www.tcgen.com/most-innovative-us-states-ranked/Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:45:41 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/most-innovative-us-states-ranked/<h2 id="more-than-money-the-top-state-innovation-leaders-use-policy-too">More than Money: The Top State Innovation Leaders Use Policy Too</h2> <p>When we think of innovation, we rarely think about it in the context of the 50 United States, but we might think about companies or individuals. We also infrequently consider geographic/political factors influencing creativity and innovation. However, this is short-sighted because there is substantial regional variation, and we can learn from what separates innovative leaders from those struggling to keep up.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/product-portfolio-investment-map-tying-product-strategy-to-execution/Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:27:43 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/product-portfolio-investment-map-tying-product-strategy-to-execution/<p>Product development projects are not all the same. Some represent slight modifications of an existing, time-tested product, a workhorse for your company. Other projects might represent startling, new-to-the-world ideas that disrupt everything. Most others fall somewhere in between.</p> <p>With a limited budget, how can a company best allocate Development investments? What is the right mix of investments? How should this investment mix change, based on the risk tolerance and maturity of the company? First, for innovation, a company must have a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/">product development strategy</a>. Next, creating a Portfolio Investment Map can help.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-portfolio-investment-map-tying-product-strategy-to-execution/Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:27:43 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-portfolio-investment-map-tying-product-strategy-to-execution/<p>Product development projects are not all the same. Some represent slight modifications of an existing, time-tested product, a workhorse for your company. Other projects might represent startling, new-to-the-world ideas that disrupt everything. Most others fall somewhere in between.</p> <p>With a limited budget, how can a company best allocate Development investments? What is the right mix of investments? How should this investment mix change, based on the risk tolerance and maturity of the company? First, for innovation, a company must have a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/">product development strategy</a>. Next, creating a Portfolio Investment Map can help.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/schedule-prediction-accuracy-anticipating-problems-to-deliver-on-time/Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:24:05 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/schedule-prediction-accuracy-anticipating-problems-to-deliver-on-time/<h2 id="schedule-prediction-accuracy-whats-new">Schedule Prediction Accuracy. What’s New?</h2> <div class="float-right ml-4 max-w-[180px]"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPA-150x150.png" alt="Foo" class="w-full h-auto"> </div> <p>Measuring schedules is not new, but using a simple graphical tool that allows you to quickly monitor performance to the initial plan and check key drivers that can take you off course is a technique that is new to many organizations. This tool allows project teams to anticipate problems before they occur and to intervene before projects go off the rails.</p> <div class="faq-section prose prose-lg max-w-none space-y-6"> <div class="faq-item"> <h2 id="what-is-the-schedule-prediction-accuracy-tool">What Is The Schedule Prediction Accuracy Tool?</h2><p>The Schedule Prediction Accuracy tool is an Excel X-Y scatter plot that visually represents the initial project schedule (Y-axis) against the current schedule (X-axis) for all major milestones. The tool is updated on a regular cadence (typically weekly). Ideally, if a project experienced no schedule impacts, each milestone would be represented over time as a horizontal line. When schedule changes are introduced (or anticipated), the impact is represented as an upward slope of the line. This tool also includes a “finish line”, which is a diagonal line that represents when each milestone should be reached based on the initial plan. The pre-populated template allows for quick updates (typically of less than 15 minutes) to the project’s major milestones. This tool is more accurate than the traditional Gantt chart and visually displays the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/change-impact-matrix-understanding-the-consequences-of-changes/">impact of changes</a> over the course of the project.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-offering/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:52:39 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-offering/<p>A strong product offering is paramount for business success, combining products, services, and experiences to attract and retain customers. This article offers a brief overview, delving into key components and strategies.</p> <p>Understanding your target audience is crucial in shaping a simple, affordable, and user-friendly product offering. Key components include the product or service, pricing, marketing, and customer service, working harmoniously to create an enticing package. Market analysis is essential, providing insights and uncovering innovation opportunities.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/strategic-product-management/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 18:49:41 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/strategic-product-management/<p>Strategic product management is crucial for developing a successful product. It involves defining the product&rsquo;s vision and strategy, setting goals, developing the roadmap, planning the launch, and analyzing performance. To be an effective strategic product manager, one must clearly understand the market and customers and work closely with the development team. As a Strategic Product Manager, the role involves shaping and sharing a strategic vision for the product, aligning the product&rsquo;s vision with the company&rsquo;s overall strategy, and mentoring the product team. A clear product strategy and vision are essential for the success of any product.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/consulting-deliverables/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 18:26:40 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/consulting-deliverables/<p><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/">Product management consultants</a> provide tangible and intangible outcomes to clients through consulting deliverables. Some examples of consulting deliverables include reports, presentations, assessments, analyses, models, plans, designs, prototypes, and training materials. These outcomes help clients make informed decisions, act appropriately, and achieve their goals. To create effective consulting deliverables, consultants must have the expertise, experience, and skills to analyze the client&rsquo;s situation, diagnose the issues, identify the opportunities, and develop the solutions. They must also communicate effectively with the client, understand their needs and expectations, and manage the project to ensure timely and satisfactory delivery.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-in-the-financial-services/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 17:36:38 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-in-the-financial-services/<p>Financial services product management is a challenging role that demands industry insight and regulatory compliance expertise. The product manager oversees new product development, manages product lifecycles, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to align products with customer needs while meeting regulatory guidelines. The role requires identifying market opportunities, analyzing customer feedback, and staying up-to-date with industry trends and technologies. Despite the challenges, product management in financial services is rewarding and offers opportunities for growth and innovation.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/new-product-consulting/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 17:31:37 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/new-product-consulting/<p>New product consulting is a service that helps inventors, startups, and small businesses bring their product ideas to life. The process involves market research, product innovation and design, and strategies for effective product launch. By working with experienced consultants, clients can manage risks and costs while creating value and customer satisfaction.</p> <p>Understanding new product consulting is important for anyone who wants to turn their product idea into a successful business venture. The market for new product consulting is highly competitive, with some key players offering a range of services to clients. Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a consultant include their experience, expertise, and track record of success.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/platform-product-management/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 17:08:44 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/platform-product-management/<p>Platform Product Management, a recent field, focuses on developing and managing platforms rather than individual products. Platforms are intricate systems comprising multiple products and services collaborating for a seamless user experience, demanding specialized skills.</p> <p>Understanding Platform Product Management is vital for those entering this field. It requires a profound grasp of the platform&rsquo;s architecture, its users, and the diverse products and services within. Platform product managers collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain the platform, ensuring it meets user needs.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-methodology/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:14:07 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-methodology/<p>Product management methodology is a set of structured frameworks, principles, and practices that product managers and development teams use to plan, execute, and deliver products to market. It is a critical function that involves identifying customer needs, developing and launching products, and ensuring their success in the market.</p> <p><strong>Product Management Methodology: A Comprehensive Guide</strong></p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-management-methodology-comprehensive-guide-450x450_hu_714a2ddd8325df34.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-management-methodology-comprehensive-guide-450x450_hu_43a92b88c52c3d73.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-management-methodology-comprehensive-guide-450x450_hu_9a964e346634c06f.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-management-methodology-comprehensive-guide-450x450_hu_fa6bd5c9183a6a0.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Management Methodology Comprehensive Guide" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-management-methodology-comprehensive-guide-450x450.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Understanding product management methodology is crucial for businesses developing successful products. This involves identifying high-value customer pain points, determining critical problems, and understanding the product development process, including agile and lean methodologies, the product management team, and various techniques in development.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-manager-vs-product-owner/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:43:03 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-manager-vs-product-owner/<p>As the world of product development has evolved, so have the roles of Product Manager and Product Owner. While the two roles are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct differences that are important to understand. In this article, I will dive into the key differences between a product manager and a product owner and each role&rsquo;s unique responsibilities.</p> <h2 id="product-manager-vs-product-owner-two-sides-of-the-same-coin">Product Manager vs Product Owner: Two Sides of the Same Coin</h2> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-manager-vs-product-owner-450x450_hu_e79c8ad7b43f8f97.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-manager-vs-product-owner-450x450_hu_12d04add9dc302.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-manager-vs-product-owner-450x450_hu_73689187de295c57.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-manager-vs-product-owner-450x450_hu_b47ad1eeccbc0304.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Manager vs Product Owner" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/product-manager-vs-product-owner-450x450.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-roadmap/Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:17:40 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-roadmap/<p>Creating a product roadmap is essential to any product manager&rsquo;s job. A product roadmap is a high-level visual summary that outlines a product&rsquo;s vision and direction over time. It helps teams to align their efforts, set priorities, and communicate the product strategy to stakeholders. In this article, I will discuss the steps required to create a practical product roadmap, the role of a product manager in roadmap development, and the tools and templates available to help you create a roadmap.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/escalation-process/Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/escalation-process/<p>An escalation process clarifies the boundaries and channels of decision-making throughout an organization to solve a problem quickly and clearly.</p> <p>Designed around the concept of a core project team with clear project management, this formal process outlines a path that allows the core team to make decisions at lower levels of the org chart while having a predefined way for exception management.</p> <p>An effective escalation process involves various departments and requires extensive communication. But, when implemented correctly, there are plenty of benefits for the project management team.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/stage-gate-process/Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/stage-gate-process/<h2 id="what-is-the-stage-gate-process-for-product-development">What is the Stage-Gate process for product development?</h2> <p><strong>The Stage-Gate Process divides product development into 5 stages where progress to the next stage is approved at the gate. Projects proceed to the next stage only if they pass the gates at key decision points, also known as milestones.</strong></p> <p>Initially developed by R. G. Cooper (Stage-Gate is a registered trademark of <a href="https://www.stage-gate.com">Stage-Gate</a> Inc.), a Stage-Gate process is a method where a project proceeds through a phased, sequential process where teams conceive and scope new products; they build a business rationale around the idea, and then develop a product; they then validate the product and launch it. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-google/Thu, 12 Oct 2023 14:20:55 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-google/<p>Ever wondered how product management at an international tech giant like Google works? Have you ever dreamt of working as a Google PM (product manager)? Well, look no further; we have all the answers you need.</p> <h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2> <p>Have you ever wondered how global technology giants like Google can deliver a wide range of successful products that are sure to do well on the market?</p> <p>Well, the driving force behind Google’s staggering success, which has cemented its position among the<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/267161/market-share-of-search-engines-in-the-united-states/"> primary U.S search engine providers</a>, is its brilliant <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-leadership/">product management leadership</a>. With headquarters in Mountain View, California, Google has expanded its operations to major cities around the world, including New York and San Francisco. These vibrant tech hubs are home to talented product managers who contribute to the development and success of Google&rsquo;s innovative products and services.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile-tools/agilent-doubled-its-productivity/Sat, 02 Sep 2023 09:36:11 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile-tools/agilent-doubled-its-productivity/<a href="https://www.agilent.com/"> <img class="float-right w-48 ml-4 mb-4 p-4 bg-white rounded-md shadow-lg shadow-brand-blue" src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/agilent.png" alt="Agilent Logo"> </a> <p>In 2015,  we undertook a lean / agile transformation journey at Agilent Technologies that resulted in doubling our productivity over three years. Along the way we learned about teaching a large global team to do coordinated agile development; the leadership conditions that drove success working smoothly with outsource vendors; and partnering with our IT department. We&rsquo;ll cover struggles with repairing field quality, delivering on a cadence, and building credibility and trust over time with customers and internal partners. Supplemental papers available on the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/scaled-agile-consulting/">TCGen website</a> provide more detail on many of these topics, agile principles, metrics, and practices.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/program-management-vs-product-management/Sun, 06 Aug 2023 05:22:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/program-management-vs-product-management/<h2 id="program-management-vs-product-management">Program Management vs. Product Management</h2> <p>The titles of program manager and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/">product manager</a> sound similar, but they serve quite different functions in an organization. The skills and job title descriptions of these two professionals are distinct.</p> <p><em>Product managers</em>, as the name implies, have a <em>product mindset</em>. <em>They are responsible for answering the questions “What?” and “Why?”</em> They are the champions of the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition/">product definition</a> and a stream of follow on products, throughout the product life cycle. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/tech-product-management/Sun, 06 Aug 2023 05:04:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/tech-product-management/<p>Do you know how a technical product manager is different from a product manager? This article will help you find out and learn more about tech <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/">product management</a>.</p> <h2 id="introduction-to-technology-product-management">Introduction To Technology Product Management</h2> <p>To survive in today’s competitive business world, a company must build up an effective system, with the product manager at its core.</p> <p>But over time, the product manager job has evolved from a general management system to a multi-dimensional approach that aims to cater to the specific needs of each business.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-leadership/Sun, 06 Aug 2023 04:35:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-leadership/<p>Want to learn more about product management leadership? Click to find out all the information you need to know about the role of a product management leader and learn how to excel at it.</p> <h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2> <p>In the competitive world of business and marketing, effective product management is one of the driving forces behind a company&rsquo;s success.</p> <p>With huge corporations like Amazon, Apple, and Spotify all relying on product management to run their business operations smoothly, the role of the product management leader has grown to affect every aspect of the process involved in creating a product that customers will love.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/Thu, 03 Aug 2023 17:22:08 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/<h2 id="what-is-product-development-life-cycle-management">What is Product Development Life Cycle Management?</h2> <p>The product development life cycle describes the 4 stages of a product&rsquo;s life: 1. Introduction, 2. Growth, 3. Maturity, 4. and Decline. It is fundamentally part of your <strong><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/">product development strategy</a>.</strong></p> <div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden;"> <iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AsddQMsD2aw" title="Product Development Life Cycle: The 4 Stages Explained" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Product Development Life Cycle: The 4 Stages Explained", "description": "Product development life cycle describes the 4 stages of a product’s life: 1. Introduction, 2. Growth, 3. Maturity, 4. and Decline. It is fundamentally part of your product development strategy.", "thumbnailUrl": [ "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AsddQMsD2aw/maxresdefault.jpg", "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AsddQMsD2aw/hqdefault.jpg" ], "uploadDate": "2023-08-03T17:22:08Z", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/AsddQMsD2aw", "contentUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsddQMsD2aw" } </script> <p>Just as human beings pass through predictable stages of birth, childhood, adolescence, maturity, and an inevitable decline, products and services pass through similar phases. Product marketers and product managers may change their strategies to maximize outcomes at each stage. Strategies vary depending on the source of the life cycle stages. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-mindset/Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:16:39 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-mindset/<div class="faq-section prose prose-lg max-w-none space-y-6"> <div class="faq-item"> <h2 id="what-is-a-product-mindset">What is a Product Mindset?</h2><p>A product mindset is nothing more than a single-minded focus on creating meaningful value for customers before all else. The Scrum Guide 2020 defines a product as &ldquo;a vehicle to deliver value. It has a clear boundary, known stakeholders, and well-defined users or customers.&rdquo; It can be a designed physical object, a service, or a more abstract offering.  </p> <p>A product-focused mindset, therefore, means a better understanding of stakeholder requirements to deliver increments of value faster that <strong>meet or exceed user needs</strong>.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile-consulting-2/Wed, 02 Aug 2023 05:13:15 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile-consulting-2/<p><em>TCGen’s Product Management Consulting helps you develop better products, faster</em></p> <!-- TODO: Insert trust-bar --> <h2 id="product-management-consulting-services--expertise">Product Management Consulting Services &amp; Expertise</h2> <p>We are <strong>deeply experienced product experts</strong> who <strong>understand your challenges</strong>, deliver <strong>practical guidance</strong>, and help you <strong>innovate, scale</strong>, and <strong>build world-class product teams.</strong></p> <blockquote> <p><em>“We’re making better decisions, faster.”</em> <strong>— Apple Executive</strong></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em>“John has that rare combination of brilliance and pragmatism that truly sets him apart. John is world class.”</em> <strong>— Dan Keller, HP Executive</strong></p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-documentation/Sun, 30 Jul 2023 09:03:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-documentation/<p>Ever since the <a href="https://agilemanifesto.org/">Agile Manifesto</a> came to light, software development industries have been abandoning the Waterfall model for a more efficient Agile approach to programming.</p> <p>As companies started to notice this cultural shift from traditional methods to more modern ones, many industries, not just software, began to implement Agile methodologies.</p> <p>Agile called for a complete revamp of the Waterfall status quo, changing how people approached project management.</p> <p>One such major change was how the Agile Manifesto believed in “working software over comprehensive documentation.” This was intended to streamline development processes but this principle has led many to believe that Agile doesn’t need technical documentation - causing many frustrations in the long run.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/digital-product-development/Sun, 30 Jul 2023 04:38:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/digital-product-development/<p>Every business owner sets out to achieve one thing with their business: success. If there’s one thing that distinguishes successful businesses from unsuccessful ones it&rsquo;s innovation through <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/">New Product Development</a> or NPD.</p> <p>Nowadays, customers can order anything from the palm of their hand which is causing customer trends and business dynamics to change fast. That’s exactly why countless companies are investing millions to develop digital products in order to stay competitive.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:17:56 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/<h2 id="what-is-a-product-development-strategy">What is a Product Development Strategy?</h2> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/What-is-a-Product-Development-Strategy-1280x640_hu_b779a8f69288b030.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/What-is-a-Product-Development-Strategy-1280x640_hu_8acce8a1e1a53588.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/What-is-a-Product-Development-Strategy-1280x640_hu_98b37aebe361d2e6.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/What-is-a-Product-Development-Strategy-1280x640_hu_6a44c33501caef2b.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="What is Product Development Strategy" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/What-is-a-Product-Development-Strategy-1280x640.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>A product development strategy guides new product development or existing product changes to maximize sales.</p> <p>Product development strategy can be a subset of corporate strategy and should not be confused with the new <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/">product development process</a> - it is a lot more. It sets the direction for new products by establishing goals and through funding decisions. Product development strategy aims to gain a competitive advantage by placing product offerings in the best possible position to drive business goals such as sales growth, revenue, and profits throughout the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/">product development life cycle</a>. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-portfolio-map/Fri, 14 Jul 2023 05:21:34 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-portfolio-map/<p>Product development projects are not all the same. Some represent slight modifications of an existing, time-tested product, a workhorse for your company. Other projects might express startling, new-to-the-world ideas that disrupt everything. Most others fall somewhere in between.</p> <p>With a limited budget, how can a company best allocate Development investments? What is the right mix of investments? How should this investment mix change based on the risk tolerance and maturity of the company? First, a company must have a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/"><strong>strategic planning process for innovation</strong></a>. Next, creating a Portfolio Investment Map can help.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-taxonomy-how-it-helps-it-create-stakeholder-value/Wed, 31 May 2023 10:12:13 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-taxonomy-how-it-helps-it-create-stakeholder-value/<h2 id="what-is-a-product-taxonomy">What is a product taxonomy?</h2> <p>A product taxonomy is a systematic categorization of products based on their attributes, characteristics, and relationships to other products. Usually, it is a tool for retailers, ecommerce businesses, and manufacturers who need to organize their product data to improve their online search and navigation experience, as well as to better understand their product portfolio. </p> <p>While its use in eCommerce is well-known, it is also essential in IT, where managers want to align their <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-process/">product management</a> accountabilities with product lines and teams need to satisfy many different stakeholders.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/best-practices-in-innovation-creating-better-innovations-faster/Tue, 30 May 2023 22:27:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/best-practices-in-innovation-creating-better-innovations-faster/<p>Our clients often ask us how they can become more innovative. Some seem to believe that innovation just appears as if by magic. Many believe that there is <em>no</em> innovation process, even though there have been significant breakthroughs in this field of study. Some companies benefit from some recent best practices that help improve innovation efforts but many companies don’t know about them because they are still hidden within academia. The three practices we have identified consist of a research-verified, end-to-end series of steps that yield the best ideas. You can apply this three-step method to small problems in as little as a day, or scale it to solve the largest challenges, spanning several months or more.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/sprint-planning-scorecard-increases-project-predictability/Tue, 30 May 2023 21:32:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/sprint-planning-scorecard-increases-project-predictability/<p>Agile is not just for software anymore. Many companies that develop tangible products – be they hardware or mixed software/hardware systems – are applying techniques borrowed from Agile. By combining Agile with traditional Phase-Gate/Milestone processes, they are accelerating programs and delivering winning products. Although, many tools &amp; methods of Agile <em>do</em> apply to non-software environments, they require modification to address hardware’s unique challenges. The best organizations combine modified <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/agile-product-management/">Agile techniques with more traditional approaches</a> to speed products to market.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/strategic-planning-process-innovation-long-term-horizon-product-planning/Tue, 30 May 2023 20:53:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/strategic-planning-process-innovation-long-term-horizon-product-planning/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/product-development-strategy-905x1280_hu_f90b5adb0ea235fb.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/product-development-strategy-905x1280_hu_2c51c32994b0f84a.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/product-development-strategy-905x1280_hu_e3eed61a4318fa34.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/product-development-strategy-905x1280_hu_a4bec03bb873c520.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Figure: Product Development Innovation Strategic Planning Diagram" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/product-development-strategy-905x1280.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Before projects become products, they are ideas in the minds of your teams. They begin their life as <em>product concepts</em>, germs of your company&rsquo;s future growth. How can companies manage the portfolio of product ideas, those as-yet unformed concepts that will eventually enter the pipeline and pass through a gated product development process? In our experience, too many companies do not adequately <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/consulting/product-portfolio-management/">manage this portfolio of product</a> concepts. They are missing systems for managing the fuzzy front end. What we have discovered is that success begins by having some means of de-mystifying the front end of product development through systems that enable decision-makers to converge on the best opportunities for creating winning products.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/sprints-demos-twin-beacons-accountability/Tue, 30 May 2023 19:58:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/sprints-demos-twin-beacons-accountability/<p>The time has come to de-mystify Agile. Our research and client work show that even those software firms that boast about being Agile do not necessarily follow every point in the Agile Manifesto. They do not follow even half of them. They apply only a very small portion of Agile practices – and they’re having remarkable success with this approach. Development teams of tangible products, be they consumer electronics, medical equipment, or pharmaceuticals, can also benefit from <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-transformation/">applying select practices from the Agile</a> body of knowledge to speed products to market. Two of the most effective and beneficial of these practices are <em>sprints</em> and <em>demos</em>. Powered by these twin aspects of Agile, development teams of all manner of products can increase accountability and make programs faster and more predictable.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/getting-more-done-by-doing-less-11/Tue, 30 May 2023 03:27:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/getting-more-done-by-doing-less-11/<h2 id="project-efficiency---whats-new">Project Efficiency - What’s New?</h2> <p>Project overloading is anything but new.  However it seems to be getting worse rapidly with the increasing speed of development, especially with SAAS (Software as a Service) and Web 2.0 development where releases can be pushed out daily.  It appears to be that managers want to optimize their resources by loading them up and have them do more on the priority list to satisfy the executive suite.  However, this is a false economy as it is neither improving project efficiency, nor does it lead to higher throughput.  The optimum load is approximately 2 projects – one large and one small – far from what is seen at most organizations.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/community-product-requirements-chart/Mon, 29 May 2023 20:42:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/community-product-requirements-chart/<p>Our clients are finding that the savings garnered from outsourcing manufacturing have declined. Increasingly, they are looking for exciting new products in new categories as the most reliable way to grow. Creating these new blockbusters requires getting very close to customers to understanding their needs in the finest detail. The Community Product Requirements Chart is a tool that provides customer insights and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/best-practices-in-innovation-creating-better-innovations-faster/">creates opportunities for innovation</a>. It summarizes customer and community feedback verbatim and organizes it by category, as well as by customer ratings, both positive and negative.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/lite-schedule-estimating-matrix/Mon, 29 May 2023 20:27:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/lite-schedule-estimating-matrix/<p>We have found that many organizations are struggling with predictability. One reason is that they don’t use common sense when estimating a project’s timeline. The <em>Lite Schedule Estimating Matrix</em> is a tool that helps to estimate the amount of time a project will take in any given phase. It leverages past experience combined with the critical few, key drivers that impact a project’s schedule. The matrix, which consists of five to eight inputs per phase, predicts the duration of each phase based on the range of typical times and the technical complexity of the design. An alternative to the time consuming, bottom-up Gantt chart, the tool helps inexperienced <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management-consulting/"><strong>program managers</strong></a> become more successful.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/dont-let-functional-silos-kill-agile-implementation/Mon, 29 May 2023 13:42:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/dont-let-functional-silos-kill-agile-implementation/<p>The fastest way to destroy an agile project management implementation is to let functional silos get in the way. Unfortunately, it happens all the time. And it happens because many companies underestimate the organizational implications of the overall successful Agile implementation. Most technology companies are still organized into discrete, functional chimneys: Marketing, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, etc. In such organizations, functional allegiance tends to trump customer/product allegiance. Deferring to functional needs rather than customer needs runs counter to Agile principles. In functional organizations, team members tend to become entangled in conflicts that arise from resource misalignments, inconsistent project priorities and office politics. These are major obstacles to the project management team’s ability to execute to a predictable schedule. And when functional organizations do not support the transition to Agile, your implementation is defeated before it begins.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-retrospectives-are-a-waste-of-time/Sun, 28 May 2023 06:46:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-retrospectives-are-a-waste-of-time/<p>Retrospectives, also known as post mortems or project histories are commonly performed after the conclusion of a release.  Typically, they involve a subset of the team with a project manager or process manager facilitating a gripe session. </p> <p>These meetings start with a token effort to brainstorm what went well (to placate the team members) and then finish with a longer session where the losses are written on a flip chart.  In the more enlightened companies, there is an effort to suggest some solutions to the bigger losses not to be repeated again (ever).  Again, in the more forward thinking companies, these flip charts are written up in Microsoft Word document and sent to the team with a cc to some managers. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/predictive-metrics-tree-measuring-behaviors-drive-results/Thu, 11 May 2023 23:01:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/predictive-metrics-tree-measuring-behaviors-drive-results/<p>Many companies are measuring the wrong things and ending up with the wrong results. Many times we see organizations get stuck on measuring what’s easy instead of what’s useful. Or they focus on metrics that tell them whether they’ve succeeded or failed rather than measuring the behaviors that drive success. Predictive metrics are the solution to this problem. Predictive metrics are fundamentally different from results metrics in that they measure a process or behavior rather than an outcome. The Predictive Metrics Tree is a tool that ensures that what you’re measuring helps you achieve your program goals. It provides a direct line of sight between the project plan and goal and the few (three to five) key metrics that predict the likelihood of achieving the desired goal.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/getting-a-project-back-on-the-rails/Tue, 09 May 2023 07:23:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/getting-a-project-back-on-the-rails/<h2 id="out-of-bounds-review---whats-new">Out of Bounds Review - What’s new?</h2> <p>This is a process that is lean, fast, and effective in getting teams focused and back on track when material changes are made in a project.</p> <p>Setting “boundary conditions” at the time of a project’s approval is an effective way to create a “contract” between the project managers and project teams.  This contract allows teams to move forward with minimal guidance as long as the boundary conditions (typical cost, schedule, features &amp; quality) are not crossed.  And when those project boundaries are crossed, the Out of Bounds (OOB) review is the mechanism to course correct and realign to a new plan of record.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/company-investing-enough-engineering-productivity-know/Tue, 09 May 2023 01:30:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/company-investing-enough-engineering-productivity-know/<p>Can you imagine an organization that had no interest in improving its factory output, upgrading its IT, or in optimizing its financial investments? Can you imagine a company that had used the same processes for manufacturing or the same financial investment strategies that it used 10 years ago?</p> <p>Can you imagine a successful company that used the same IT infrastructure it had five or ten years ago? Management would never tolerate such inaction in its other operations, but it consistently short-changes one of the most important processes in the enterprise: the ability to deliver a stream of exciting new products that delight customers. Engineering organizations are failing to take a stake in improving product development (<a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics/">product development metrics consulting</a> is crucial here), a core process that is the engine of top-line growth.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/dot-voting-evaluating-ideas-prioritizing-action/Tue, 09 May 2023 00:55:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/dot-voting-evaluating-ideas-prioritizing-action/<h2 id="dot-voting---whats-new">Dot Voting - What’s New?</h2> <p>Within the course of managing a project to completion or evaluating the delivery of a program, brainstorming sessions can be useful to creatively evaluate and solve problems. Dot Voting is a simple tool that provides an equitable means for team members’ voices to be heard and to quickly reach a consensus on prioritizing issues and identifying trends or major gaps. The process of Dot Voting can be done in real time in a matter of minutes and requires no special data collection or synthesis tools.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile-product-development-roadmap/Mon, 01 May 2023 15:39:15 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile-product-development-roadmap/<h2 id="what-is-a-product-development-roadmap">What is a product development roadmap?</h2> <p>Product development roadmaps provide a visual explanation of a company’s strategy. They link the product vision with development. They help align Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Support, and the C-suite. </p> <p>In addition to communicating strategy, the optimal Product development roadmap <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-discovery-techniques/">can inspire innovation</a> because it lays out your product’s strongest differentiators to ensure you hit your business goals. It can also improve execution because it helps to understand dependencies, communicate platform and derivative strategies, and how they unfold over time. Done right, product roadmaps serve as an organizing principle for decisions around technology requirements, resource allocation, and product positioning.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/scaled-agile-consulting/Mon, 24 Apr 2023 05:59:44 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/scaled-agile-consulting/<p>Are you looking to transform your organization&rsquo;s software development practices to deliver value faster and more effectively? We have helped some of the most revered global brands improve their Agile execution. </p> <section class="overflow-hidden w-screen relative left-1/2 right-1/2 -ml-[50vw] -mr-[50vw] bg-brand-blue pt-4 pb-2 -mx-8"> <h2 class="font-sora text-2xl text-gray-200 text-left my-2 ml-8">Trusted by these brands and organizations</h2> <div class="px-6"> <div class="flex gap-12 animate-[scroll_20s_linear_infinite] mx-4"> <div class="flex items-center justify-center gap-8 md:gap-12 lg:gap-16 py-4 mt-3"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/apple.svg" alt="Apple" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/amazon.svg" alt="Amazon" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/cisco.svg" alt="Cisco" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/ibm.svg" alt="IBM" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/roche.svg" alt="Roche" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/3m.svg" alt="3M" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/workday.svg" alt="Workday" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/apple.svg" alt="Apple" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/amazon.svg" alt="Amazon" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/cisco.svg" alt="Cisco" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/ibm.svg" alt="IBM" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/roche.svg" alt="Roche" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/3m.svg" alt="3M" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/client-logos/workday.svg" alt="Workday" class="h-6 md:h-8 w-auto filter invert brightness-0"> </div> </div> </div> </section> <blockquote> <p>“We’re making better decisions, faster”*— Apple Executive</p>https://www.tcgen.com/new-product-introduction/Sun, 16 Apr 2023 15:54:56 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/new-product-introduction/<h2 id="what-is-new-product-introduction-npi">What is New Product introduction (NPI)?</h2> <p>New Product introduction (NPI) is the step-by-step process that takes an idea at the concept stage, moves it through a working prototype stage, and into mass production and commercialization. It is called the new product introduction process rather than the new product development (NPD) process because NPI looks at the product from the manufacturing viewpoint. As such, it also differs from <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/">product development life cycle</a> management.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/waterfall-vs-agile/Thu, 30 Mar 2023 08:25:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/waterfall-vs-agile/<h2 id="waterfall-vs-agile">Waterfall vs Agile?</h2> <p><em>&ldquo;Agile and Waterfall methodologies are like oil and water. They don&rsquo;t mix.&rdquo;</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;Software development differs from hardware; Agile only works for software.&rdquo;</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;Applying Agile is all or nothing.&rdquo;</em></p> <p><em>&ldquo;You must be able to ship every two weeks.&rdquo;</em></p> <p>We constantly hear these statements from hardware teams trying to <strong>increase</strong> speed and predictability in their <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/">product development</a> projects. The reality is that hybrid processes that mix the discipline and long-term planning of the Waterfall model with the adaptability and speed of Agile are not only possible – they are best-in-class.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-estimation-techniques/Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:12:13 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-estimation-techniques/<p>As humans, we are terrible at estimating how long something will take. When determining how long a project or task will take us to complete, we often think in absolute terms, like a week or maybe two weeks. But, once we start working and finish a task, we realize that our timing was way off.</p> <p>Unlike machines, when we first start a project, we don’t have any previous data on which to base our estimations. This means most, if not all, of our estimations are mere guesses. In the business of developing new products, we can’t leave everything to guesswork. We need methods for estimating project deadlines to reduce risk and effectively plan and allocate resources.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-ceremonies/Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:15:57 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-ceremonies/<p>Agile methodologies are quickly being recognized by many industries as a way to streamline the development process. With <a href="https://stateofagile.com/#ufh-i-661275008-15th-state-of-agile-report/7027494">86% of organizations</a> using some form of Agile framework, it’s no surprise that this modern approach works to improve productivity and help businesses reach their goals.</p> <p>Despite its wide adoption, many businesses are still struggling to implement Agile practices effectively. One way to manage the Agile process is to arrange Agile ceremonies that help scrum teams improve how they plan, track, and collaborate with stakeholders.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-work-environment/Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:06:49 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-work-environment/<p><a href="https://www.zippia.com/advice/agile-statistics/">71% of U.S. companies</a> have adopted Agile practices.But, for a company to incorporate the Agile mindset, they have to forget everything they know about traditional project management and the Waterfall approach.</p> <p>The <a href="https://agilemanifesto.org/">Agile Manifesto</a> has brought a huge change in how people work, so it only makes sense to move away from the Waterfall model and adapt to this change by restructuring your environment to help facilitate the new agile approach.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/what-to-improve-your-results-then-stop-measuring-them/Tue, 14 Mar 2023 08:42:18 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/what-to-improve-your-results-then-stop-measuring-them/<h2 id="3-steps-to-implementing-predictive-metrics-and-achieving-better-results">3 steps to implementing Predictive Metrics and achieving better results.</h2> <p>How you noticed how most companies have huge dash-boards and spreadsheets containing dozens of metrics? But to what end? Does anyone really look at these metrics, and if they do, does anyone know what they should be doing differently?</p> <p>Companies are measuring the wrong things, and end up producing the wrong results.   So, if you want to improve your results, we suggest you stop measuring them.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/Sat, 11 Mar 2023 10:56:24 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/<h2 id="what-is-a-new-product-development-process">What is a New Product Development Process?</h2> <p>A New Product Development Process refers to the entire range of activities where a company conceptualizes and realizes a new offering, often based on emerging market trends. A product concept might originate in the marketplace, a lab, a workspace, or the fuzzy front end. Ideas come from customer requirements, too. A flawless process allows teams to innovate and quickly release differentiated products rapidly.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/product-development/Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:26:45 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/product-development/<h2 id="what-is-product-development">What is Product Development?</h2> <p>Product Development is the capability that allows a company to realize product concepts and present them to customers – reliably and predictably.</p> <p>It includes the entire set of activities through which a company conceptualizes, develops, and launches a concept to the market.</p> <p>If you want to improve your development, check out our material on <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development-consulting/"><strong>product development consulting</strong></a>.</p> <div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden;"> <iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S_bsftE57WY" title="New Product Development Process -- 6 Stages" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "New Product Development Process -- 6 Stages", "description": "Guide to understanding the 6 stages of product development, from ideation to commercialization.", "thumbnailUrl": [ "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S_bsftE57WY/maxresdefault.jpg", "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S_bsftE57WY/hqdefault.jpg" ], "uploadDate": "2023-02-27T16:26:45Z", "embedUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/S_bsftE57WY", "contentUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_bsftE57WY" } </script> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Development-in-6-Steps_hu_745b55f54d0047f9.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Development-in-6-Steps_hu_9ce3dcd17407e81b.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Development-in-6-Steps_hu_efe8ea4cf6774beb.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Development-in-6-Steps_hu_bdb8d04fd2851cbc.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Development in 6 steps" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Development-in-6-Steps.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-discovery-techniques/Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:40:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-discovery-techniques/<p>In this guide, I&rsquo;ll draw on my years of work in product strategy to help you understand the product discovery process and the techniques teams use to develop valuable insights that lead to innovative products. </p> <p>More and more, organizations are looking to innovate—and fast. There is enormous pressure from consumers and stakeholders to come up with something (anything!) new. </p> <p>But the best product teams use carefully crafted continuous product discovery techniques to create genuinely innovative products—not just &ldquo;novel&rdquo;—products. I&rsquo;ll explain these techniques below, along with a process and framework to help you better understand product discovery methods so you can position your teams to create industry-leading products.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/medical-product-development/Fri, 13 Jan 2023 13:31:43 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/medical-product-development/<p>New medical device development is the way for medical device manufacturers to encourage innovation and provide unique solutions to customer needs. However, in the medical industry due to strict regulatory standards for medical device manufacturing, it can be incredibly costly and time-consuming to make a product. </p> <p>Although regulatory standards for medical device manufacturers differ from country to country, the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/">product development life cycle</a> follows a general trend when bringing new products into the market. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/software-product-development/Fri, 13 Jan 2023 13:17:08 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/software-product-development/<p>Software is a part of our everyday lives. It’s what runs our phones, computers, cars, and other products. But, despite the wider adoption and understanding of technology, as many as <a href="https://www.standishgroup.com/sample_research_files/CHAOSReport2015-Final.pdf">19% of all software projects still fail</a>.</p> <p>Most projects that fail have some issues in common. Poor planning and unclear project requirements are often the main contributors to software project failures.</p> <p>This makes one wonder how big tech companies manage to consistently produce high-quality, working software. All these companies follow a tried-and-tested software product development process that increases the likelihood of creating successful products in the market.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-kpis/Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:56:27 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-kpis/<p>Product development KPIs, or key performance indicators, are specific <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/">product management</a> metrics that track and monitor business goals and give vital insights into the product development process.</p> <p>They are a powerful tool for product developers by providing quantitative data on product quality, progress, and performance.</p> <p>But what are product development KPIs? And how do you decide which product management metrics to track to streamline the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/">product development process</a>?</p> <h2 id="what-are-product-development-kpis">What are Product Development KPIs?</h2> <p>Product development key performance indicators are product management metrics that track and monitor the product team or <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development-consulting/">product development consultants</a> if you are using consultants. They are used to measure the progress of projects and behavioral changes and identify opportunities for improvement.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/food-product-development/Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:39:49 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/food-product-development/<p>With the wider adoption of technology throughout industries, companies seem to be making more innovative products than ever before. </p> <p>The food industry seemed like the last place for a formal product development process, but due to rapidly changing markets and development in food science, businesses have started to implement detailed processes to encourage innovation.</p> <p>Food product development is a complex process where food companies have to carefully plan, invest in, and revise their production strategy to create a successful food product. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/cosmetic-product-development/Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:29:55 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/cosmetic-product-development/<p>The beauty industry is growing at a rapid pace. A report by <a href="https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cosmetics-market">Allied Market Research</a> suggests that the global cosmetics market will grow to $463.5 billion by 2027 with a growth rate of 5.3%. With more and more businesses entering the beauty industry, it can be difficult for them to remain competitive.</p> <p>However, despite the growing competition, customer trends and advancements in technology have introduced market gaps giving businesses the opportunity to increase their competitiveness. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/engineering-product-development/Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:48:05 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/engineering-product-development/<p><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/"><strong>New product development</strong></a> or NPD is the process by which businesses create new and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-innovation-management/">innovative products</a> for their customers with the hopes of gaining a competitive advantage.</p> <p>Businesses usually follow a structured NPD process to ensure the products they manufacture meet consumer needs and perform well in the market.</p> <p>The most important stages of this process are its design and development phases where the product comes into shape. Between those, is the engineering phase where product developers gather technical details about the product and optimize it to provide maximum value.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/electronic-product-development/Fri, 02 Dec 2022 07:04:09 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/electronic-product-development/<p>Creating electronic hardware is a difficult and often exhausting task. Most hardware startups fail due to unanticipated obstacles and product complexity. According to Forbes, as many as <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/11/03/the-top-reasons-startups-fail-infographic/?sh=388e79ad4b0d">97% of seed crowdfunded hardware startups fail</a>.</p> <p>Fortunately, newer technologies, design systems, and processes have reduced the risk of failure in electronic product development leading to the creation of more successful products. </p> <p>That said, you can’t only rely on modern tech. You also need an electronic product development process to help you make well-informed decisions that produce effective, high-value hardware for the end-users.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/market-development-vs-product-development/Fri, 25 Nov 2022 01:21:16 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/market-development-vs-product-development/<p>Having an efficient long-term strategy is essential for businesses to expand and grow. Planning to expand and grow operations, however, is easier said than done which explains why <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/the-true-failure-rate-of-small-businesses/361350">50% of small businesses fail</a> within their first five years.</p> <p>This high failure rate has led to business owners and analysts constantly developing and evolving theories to help combat the challenge.</p> <p>One such theory is the Ansoff Matrix, developed by H. Igor Ansoff, which gives a good idea of how to grow your business while taking into account the risks. This can be used in combination with other qualitative business measures, such as SWOT analysis and Porter’s five forces, to properly analyze your business’s growth strategy.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/pharmaceutical-product-development/Thu, 17 Nov 2022 09:01:30 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/pharmaceutical-product-development/<p>New product development (or NPD) in the pharmaceutical industry can be a complex and difficult process. Statistics show that the R&amp;D budget allocated for developing new drugs is five <a href="https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJBIR.2011.037257">times higher</a> than other industries. Despite the high costs, only three <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00019053-200220003-00002?error=cookies_not_supported&amp;code=3483e650-8b8f-4d22-9777-80f99fdf3e13">out of ten marketed drugs drive any significant revenue</a> to the business.</p> <p>This uncertainty can limit pharmaceutical companies from creating new products, but new pharmaceutical products are required to effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases. An effective pharmaceutical product development process can aid in the process of creating drugs that are more likely to drive significant revenue.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-change-management/Wed, 09 Nov 2022 07:01:39 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-change-management/<p>Business dynamics are changing rapidly. Traditional change management techniques are no longer meeting the demands of the 21st century. Today, organizations need to tailor their change management strategy to include agile processes.</p> <p>Traditional change management follows a rigid plan with lengthy timelines and limited rollouts. In contrast, Agile change management offers a faster way to adapt to changes in the business environment and customer requirements by offering solutions to the challenges posed by traditional methods.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-performance/Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:56:27 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-performance/<p>Project managers have been implementing agile tactics to keep up with the rapidly changing customer trends. But sometimes it can feel like the newly implemented tactics are doing more harm than good.</p> <p>Accurately measuring business performance is key to improving operations and ensuring great results. Although performance management allows managers to track results, the time it takes to gather feedback may be too slow for some organizations.</p> <p>Agile organizations thrive on frequent feedback which necessitates the need for an updated performance management strategy. <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-project-management/">Agile project management</a> provides that well-needed shift from traditional practices by streamlining communication between employees and project managers through regular check-ins and frequent reporting.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/fashion-product-development/Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:50:24 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/fashion-product-development/<p>The fashion industry is as fierce as ever, every dollar spent, at every stage matters. Fashion product development helps to create innovative products catered to customer needs to gain a competitive advantage in the market.</p> <p>Planning the fashion <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/">product development process</a> can set up a business for success because overseeing the entire innovation process ensures that each of its stages is optimized for delivery.</p> <p>In this article, we’ll explore what fashion product development is, what the production process looks like, and the importance of creating sustainable products in the fashion industry.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-project-management/Thu, 20 Oct 2022 01:08:03 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-project-management/<p>Agile project management is an approach to product development based on iteration, or on taking incremental steps, to create and improve a design. In agile methods of project management, teams divide a project into sprints. These are roughly two-week periods at the end of which, ideally, the team delivers some functional product. </p> <p>The development team releases a deliverable to a stakeholder at the end of the sprint, be it internal functions or external customers. Team members then receive feedback from stakeholders, and then they incorporate this feedback into future iterations of the product or solution. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-construction/Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:49:52 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-construction/<p>Traditional software development follows a sequential approach to project management. Each stage of the process goes through a specific set of instructions and only after fulfilling the criteria does it get passed on to the next developmental phase.</p> <p>Agile project management was introduced in 2001 when some of the top software engineers established the <a href="https://agilemanifesto.org/">Agile manifesto</a>. This publication revolutionized how businesses worked by breaking down the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/">production process</a>, to deliver working software faster. It quickly spread in the business world as it was adapted by many businesses in different industries.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-roles-and-responsibilities-matrix/Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:27:59 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-roles-and-responsibilities-matrix/<p>As a project manager, you’ll often find yourself being pulled in many directions at once. You may be handling the pressure of a closing deadline, making a detailed <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-product-development-roadmap/">agile product development roadmap</a>, or setting business goals. With so many responsibilities, you know there’s little to no room for mistakes.</p> <p>Many project managers often find themselves off-track, demotivated, and just not able to get things done on time. </p> <p>What went wrong? </p> <p>You probably didn’t clarify the roles and responsibilities of your agile team.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:40:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/<h2 id="what-is-a-cross-functional-team">What is a Cross Functional Team?</h2> <p>A Cross Functional team (or Cross-functional team) is a group of people from different disciplines, performing specialized tasks, coordinated to deliver value. A Cross Functional team has a common vision and a clear goal. It has a definition of “done” or “what success looks like” with buy-in from everyone on the team. Team members make the success of the project a priority, and they allocate enough time to make it happen. Continue reading for a helpful cross functional team example.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/design-thinking/Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:40:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/design-thinking/<div class="faq-section prose prose-lg max-w-none space-y-6"> <div class="faq-item"> <h2 id="what-is-design-thinking-and-how-does-it-relate-to-product-development">What is Design Thinking and How Does it Relate to Product Development?</h2><p>Design Thinking is an innovation process inspired by empathy for the user followed by ideation and implementation. While Design Thinking applies to many endeavors and many types of problems, in <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/new/"><strong>new product development</strong></a>, it is a means to direct and focus innovation that drives growth in sales and profits. It is an iterative process allowing a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/"><strong>cross-functional design team</strong></a> to question its assumptions and focus on the user experience above all else. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/project-management/risk-management/Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:40:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/project-management/risk-management/<p><em>How to Assess, Plan, Monitor and Respond to Risks</em></p> <!-- TODO: trust-bar --> <div class="faq-section prose prose-lg max-w-none space-y-6"> <div class="faq-item"> <h2 id="what-is-risk-management-and-how-do-you-minimize-risk">What is risk management and how do you minimize risk?</h2><p>Risk management is the process of anticipating unwelcome events and mitigating their effects as much as possible. It includes anticipating and assessing risks, planning around them, monitoring them, and responding to them when appropriate.</p> <p>Risk management applies to many fields, from Finance to Healthcare, and to many processes, from <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/new/"><strong>new product development</strong></a> to IT projects. Product development projects in particular are exercises in reducing risk to an acceptably low level. When should a risk be avoided in project management? When the probably is high and possible impact is significant - this is often the case in product development to construction. Where costs are high.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/ux-product-design/Mon, 10 Oct 2022 06:43:52 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/ux-product-design/<p>There are many things to consider when developing a new product in our digital world. Costs, legacy mainframe modernization, and scalability are all concerns worth thinking about. Chief among them ought to be how well it serves the user. That’s where UX product design comes in. Learn everything you need to know about UX in product development. We will discover what UX is, what a UX designer does, and how UX overlaps with the rest of the design process.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-transformation/Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:40:55 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-transformation/<p>In 2015, we undertook a lean/agile transformation journey at Agilent Technologies that roughly doubled our productivity over three years. Along the way, we learned about&hellip;</p> <ul> <li>Teaching a large global team to do coordinated agile development</li> <li>The leadership conditions that drive success</li> <li>Working smoothly with outsourced vendors</li> <li>Partnering with our IT department</li> </ul> <p>We faced struggles with repairing field quality, delivering on a cadence, and building credibility and trust with customers and internal partners over time. (Papers on the TCGen website provide more detail on Agile principles, agile metrics, and good Agile practices.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-planning/Fri, 30 Sep 2022 03:13:40 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-planning/<p>Agile project management enables businesses to respond to change, develop faster, and create customer-centric products focused on providing value. Around <a href="https://stateofagile.com/#ufh-i-615706098-14th-annual-state-of-agile-report/7027494"><strong>95% of organizations have started to adopt agile practices</strong></a> and they have managed to achieve a <a href="https://www.zippia.com/advice/agile-statistics/#:~:text=Agile%20projects%20have%20a%2064,more%20successful%20than%20waterfall%20projects."><strong>success rate of 64%.</strong></a> Businesses are slowly moving away from traditional methods such as the waterfall approach.</p> <p>An agile plan gives team members the flexibility to take in customer needs as opposed to the waterfall model which involves a rigid, fixed planning process, with set milestones, and a step-by-step guide and strict quality checks.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-metrics/Fri, 30 Sep 2022 01:51:02 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-metrics/<p>Agile product management depends on an iterative and incremental framework with a focus on continuous improvement. It is the new norm for successful businesses. </p> <p>Its modern approach to the product development process enables organizations to develop and standardize an <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-product-development-roadmap/">agile product development roadmap</a>, make better products, and improve customer satisfaction.</p> <p>That&rsquo;s all great, but how much value are <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-workflow/">agile workflow processes</a> really driving to the business and its customers? </p> <p>Measuring the impact of agile processes on software quality and product value can be difficult which is why every project manager needs agile metrics.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-roles/Fri, 09 Sep 2022 06:44:14 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-roles/<p>Agile software development has managed to revolutionize how businesses work. It gives companies of all shapes and sizes a framework in which they can create better products faster. By encouraging project managers to embrace change rather than fear it, agile provided a well-needed shift from the status quo waterfall approach.</p> <p>Agile is significantly different from traditional project management, so you may need to redefine roles, responsibilities, and your company’s work culture. This can be intimidating as failing to define who needs to do what can lead to serious issues within your company.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-waterfall-vs-scrum/Thu, 01 Sep 2022 03:45:46 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-waterfall-vs-scrum/<p>The product management landscape keeps evolving. Customer requirements are changing faster than ever, which requires product managers to stay on top of the latest trends. When it comes to exploring different options for your organization, project management methodologies like Waterfall, Agile, and Scrum are great for streamlining business operations.</p> <p>In this article, we&rsquo;ll discuss these different methodologies. We&rsquo;ll define key terms like <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-project-management/">Agile product management</a>, Scrum project management, and the Waterfall methodology and see how these methodologies compare with each other.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-design-thinking/Thu, 01 Sep 2022 03:19:56 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-design-thinking/<p>Business owners, product managers, and developers are always looking for the best strategies to create the ideal customer experience.</p> <p>Modern approaches to the development process enable businesses to effectively fulfill customer needs. The most popular approaches adopted by businesses are <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/design-thinking/">design thinking</a> and the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/product-development/">Agile product development methodology</a>.</p> <p>These two methods have revolutionized how businesses approach the development process. They both focus on creating products for users by sharing new ideas, gathering customer feedback, and encouraging team collaboration.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/refactoring-in-agile/Wed, 24 Aug 2022 12:37:19 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/refactoring-in-agile/<p>Have you ever looked at the back of an embroidered picture? While the front side the viewer sees is tidy and nice to look at, the flip side can be a jumble of tangled thread, messy knots, and wasteful loops.</p> <p>Similarly, software developers typically rely on quick and dirty techniques when writing code. Backend code, or the internal structure of a program, may need to be cleaned up every once in a while. This process is called code refactoring and is an integral function of any team using <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/software-product-development/">Agile software</a> development. Refactoring in Agile improves code quality and design without touching the functionality of the program &ndash; making code more effective and maintainable.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-books/Wed, 24 Aug 2022 12:36:20 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-books/<p>Even if you aren&rsquo;t a member of the IT field, learning about Agile practices can be beneficial. <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-project-management/">Agile project management</a>, in any industry, can teach individuals how to work better in teams and accomplish more with a fluid game plan that responds to customer feedback.</p> <p>So, what&rsquo;s the first step to learning everything there is to know about Agile methods? While googling &ldquo;best agile books&rdquo; is a prominent place to start, millions of search results quickly become overwhelming.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-workflow/Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:21:52 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-workflow/<p>Product management is difficult. This job becomes even more complicated when product managers are asked to keep up with customer trends while following a concrete plan. </p> <p>This is where <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-construction/">Agile project management comes in</a>. Businesses that adopt Agile workflow bring increased flexibility to their product development process. Agile breaks down complex tasks and takes into account customer feedback that results in better products. In this fast-paced world, if you’re not implementing Agile methodology, you might get left behind.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-scrum/Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:12:37 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-scrum/<p>Product management is a complex job as it incorporates software development, innovation, and growth. In the modern world of product management, there are many tools and techniques discovered day in and day out. The ever-changing landscape of product development makes it crucial for product managers to stay on top of the latest tools and terms.</p> <p>If you’re involved in product management, you’ve no doubt heard of the terms Agile and Scrum thrown around.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-innovation-management/Tue, 16 Aug 2022 01:06:43 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-innovation-management/<p>Technology has made it easier than ever to buy any product whenever and wherever you want. Likewise, the development of new tools and equipment means that businesses are more able to design and create a wide variety of products to sell. In this environment, businesses need to be innovative with their products, launching ranges and stock that captures the interest of their target customers both in-store and online to make sales and profits.Encouraging this innovation in your <a href="https://vmblog.com/archive/2021/10/19/business-practices-and-software-development-intersect-more-than-you-think-here-s-how.aspx#.YuIgy3bMLIV">business practices</a> can be a challenge, especially if you’re not clear on what you’re aiming for or how to manage it. Releasing products that customers will want and buy isn’t a random process of asking your research and development department to come up with something new. The better your product innovation management, the better your customer reactions will be in response to the products you introduce to them.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/okrs-product-management/Thu, 11 Aug 2022 03:52:21 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/okrs-product-management/<p>Being a product manager nowadays may seem like a daunting task. Strict deadlines, exhaustive assignments, and being on top of customer trends can be draining. This is why successful product managers are always on the lookout for a better, more effective way to do their job.</p> <p>As a manager, you’re responsible for your whole team. Having a framework that incorporates the goals and objectives of a business with a proper structure can be all you need to manage your day-to-day operations efficiently.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/agile-product-management/Thu, 11 Aug 2022 02:24:10 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/agile-product-management/<p>Product owners and managers are constantly looking for ways to improve the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/">product development process</a>. This constant search has brought to light many different techniques and tools to make the process easier and more manageable. Out of these, Agile product management has gained popularity.</p> <p>Agile product management gives product managers a flexible <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/complete-guide-to-product-management-frameworks/">product management framework</a>. It challenges traditional product management methods such as the Waterfall model. It aims to help teams maximize efficiency, adapt to changing conditions, and build make better products.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/unclear-escalation-paths-can-kill-projects/Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:13:32 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/unclear-escalation-paths-can-kill-projects/<p>In any kind of project or program, situations often occur that require escalation for decisions to be made above the level of the project team. Typical examples of such situations include changes of project scope, unforeseen technical problems, overspending, lost expertise, and schedule slippages or changes.</p> <p>The problems can get especially costly in a heavily matrixed organization, wherein people who report to various functions (engineering, marketing, finance, manufacturing, etc.) are essentially “on loan” to a program manager to complete the deliverables. Some or all of these people may be working on more than one program team, plus contributing work to their functional teams.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-vs-product-development/Tue, 02 Aug 2022 05:03:52 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-vs-product-development/<p><em>Product management is about &ldquo;what” and “why.&rdquo; Product development is about &ldquo;how” and “when.&rdquo;</em></p> <p>Product management is about creating a product vision. It’s about understanding customers and other stakeholders. And it’s about translating data into a set of prioritized features that a product development (usually through an <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-workflow/">agile workflow</a> methodology)team can execute.</p> <p>Product development is about taking a product concept and launching it into the marketplace. It takes the product manager’s vision and prioritization, and realizes a concept as a functional product design. It’s about execution.  </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-roadmap/Tue, 26 Jul 2022 04:09:03 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-roadmap/<p>Building effective products is no easy task. Everyone can dream of making the next big thing but product managers or <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/">product manager consultants</a> who deliver are the ones who plan effectively. Effective planning requires outlining flexible strategies, setting ambitious goals, and prioritizing tasks that lead to the best results.</p> <p>That’s why many product managers use product management roadmap. A <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-roadmap/">product management roadmap</a> allows product managers to plan the development of a new or existing product. It provides a clear focus on creating value for users and prioritizing tasks that align with your business goals.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-podcasts/Tue, 26 Jul 2022 04:03:09 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-podcasts/<p>If there’s one thing product managers don’t have enough of, it&rsquo;s time. With <a href="https://productmanagementfestival.com/survey/">50% of product managers complaining about a lack of time</a>, it can be difficult to focus on deadlines and sharpen your skills.</p> <p>As a product manager, you’re asked to multitask. You probably don’t have the time to read <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/best-product-management-book/">product management books</a>, attend seminars, or take a course. That’s why listening to a product management podcast is a great way to explore valuable insights from experts in your field.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-data/Tue, 26 Jul 2022 02:01:21 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-data/<p>With the rapid digitalization of today’s world, it is no surprise that businesses have had to revise their product management structures. </p> <p>As systems governing our everyday lives become automated, it is easier than ever for companies to obtain valuable data regarding their target customer base, current market trends, and future business prospects.</p> <p>But, with the widespread availability of data, companies require someone who can analyze that data and use those insights to maximize business productivity and profitability. This is where traditional and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/agile-product-management/">agile product management</a> has evolved into data product management, with the role of the data product manager at its center.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-process/Thu, 21 Jul 2022 04:59:38 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-process/<h2 id="what-is-the-product-management-process">What is the Product Management Process?</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/program-management-vs-product-management/">Product management </a>process enables teams to develop the right solution for all stakeholders. It’s about using data and experience to establish <em>why</em> a certain feature or product is what customers need. And it’s about creating a product that will satisfy all internal stakeholders and other parties.</p> <p>This process guides strategic planning and has oversight of the profitability of new products. A product management process generally involves: </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/lean-product-development/Wed, 06 Jul 2022 05:16:48 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/lean-product-development/<h2 id="what-is-lean-product-development-lpd">What is Lean Product Development (LPD)?</h2> <p>Lean product development is a refinement in development methodologies based on cross-functional planning and collaboration. It eliminates non-value added activities and eases communication between<a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/dont-let-functional-silos-kill-agile-implementation/"> functional silos</a>. </p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lean-Product-Development-Visual-Dashboard-TCGen-1280x797_hu_704255a2724dd355.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lean-Product-Development-Visual-Dashboard-TCGen-1280x797_hu_d8b02c92b862df4e.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lean-Product-Development-Visual-Dashboard-TCGen-1280x797_hu_315be0235e0f7608.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lean-Product-Development-Visual-Dashboard-TCGen-1280x797_hu_6b316799389670da.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Lean Product Development Visual Dashboard TCGen" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lean-Product-Development-Visual-Dashboard-TCGen-1280x797.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>The basic idea of lean thinking is to reduce waste in any and all processes. Lean is about maximizing the value-added portion in any process. Lean as applied to the new product development process examines the entire value stream, and asks this question: “How much of what we’re doing truly benefits end users or customers?” Any work that does not produce a benefit to stakeholders is regarded as waste and should be cut to the absolute minimum. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-performance-metrics/Wed, 06 Jul 2022 04:46:50 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-performance-metrics/<p>How do companies keep track of their growth and the success of their products? The answer lies in the use of product management performance metrics. Read on to find out more.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Product-Management-Performance-Metrics_hu_77970d5bca927b7b.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Product-Management-Performance-Metrics_hu_ebccbdc77a21c4a4.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Product-Management-Performance-Metrics_hu_cb68da3a40298fec.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Product-Management-Performance-Metrics_hu_a056750cf55dbf56.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Management Performance Metrics" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Product-Management-Performance-Metrics.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2> <p>To establish and expand in today’s competitive business world, a company needs to rely on an effective <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/complete-guide-to-product-management-frameworks/">product management framework</a>.</p> <p>But how exactly can a company measure the success of its product management?</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-owner-vs-product-manager/Thu, 26 May 2022 07:06:14 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-owner-vs-product-manager/<p><em>Yes, there is some overlap. But it helps to understand the distinction between product owners and product managers.</em></p> <h2 id="product-managers-and-product-owners">Product Managers and Product Owners</h2> <p>The titles of product owner and product manager sound similar. Both are representing the customer and both are focused on delivering the right product. In a startup or a smaller company they might be the same person. But in larger companies, the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-manager-vs-product-owner/">product manager and product owner roles</a> might have very different backgrounds and orientations.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/spotify-agile-model/Wed, 25 May 2022 07:04:08 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/spotify-agile-model/<p>Product development is a complicated process, what works for some might not work for others. Ever-changing business dynamics keep product managers on their toes to keep a lookout for the methodology that works for their company.</p> <p>When trying to <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/">find a product management consulting company</a> that’s right for your business, looking at other successful companies is a good starting point. One such company is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/">Spotify</a> which saw massive growth thanks to its unique approach to product management. It managed to increase its customer base to <a href="https://blog.crisp.se/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SpotifyScaling.pdf">15 million active users</a> in just six years.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/complete-guide-to-product-management-frameworks/Tue, 24 May 2022 09:03:47 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/complete-guide-to-product-management-frameworks/<p>Using product management frameworks is a way to dramatically improve product management and make your products a success. Read on to find the most powerful frameworks you can use to boost your business.</p> <p>Have you ever wondered how international giants like Amazon, Apple, and Shopify can deliver a wide range of successful products that almost always do well in the marketplace? It’s because these companies rely on a well-structured product management system to ensure that each of their products meets customer needs.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-documentation/Tue, 24 May 2022 08:04:32 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-documentation/<p><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/program-management-vs-product-management/">Product management</a> is a complex process that begins with ideation and ends in the commercialization of a new product. Efficient and organized product management is key to a successful product. And the key to organized product management is <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-data/">product data management </a>documentation.</p> <p>While product managers have responsibilities that vary with their company and industry. Some organizations may choose to <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/">partner with a product management consulting firm</a> or build their own product team in-house.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/program-management-consulting/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:23 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/program-management-consulting/<h2 id="what-is-program-management-consulting"><strong>What is Program Management Consulting</strong>?</h2> <p>Program Management Consulting helps organizations improve program management capabilities to deliver better results on time and within budget.</p> <ul> <li>Make IT &amp; product development programs more efficient and effective</li> <li>Improve the execution of Strategy</li> <li>Accelerate Innovation</li> <li>Increase Organizational Effectiveness</li> <li>Improve cross-functional team collaboration</li> <li>Improve the overall management of your program and product portfolio</li> </ul> <h3 id="project-management-consulting-for-complex-projects">Project management consulting for complex projects</h3> <p>Depending on the type of initiatives, complex projects, or product developments that need better outcomes, project management expertise, track record, and industry experience, including PMP certification, can make a big difference. Incorporating sustainability and digital transformation into these projects enhances their environmental impact and improves their overall viability across their lifecycle. The combination of experience and program management expertise, especially in handling complex programs, applied together can help you solve the toughest problems. Advisory services can further augment this by providing specialized knowledge and insights, particularly in enhancing customer experience through the use of performance cookies for website optimization. Of course, you should consider the business case and strategic alignment first to ensure that the effort will have the payback you want.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/project-management-consulting/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:23 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/project-management-consulting/<h2 id="time-and-money-are-gained-or-lost-every-day-at-the-project-level">Time and money are gained or lost every day at the project level.</h2> <p>The decisions teams make at the micro level, at each hour of the day, can make the difference between meeting or breaking schedules and budgets; between having a superb or a merely adequate feature set; between having a product that delights customers, or standing in the middle of the pack.</p> <p>TCGen’s <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/agile-product-management/">approach to project management</a> is at the level of the Project Management Office (PMO). We take a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/consulting/product-portfolio-management/">product portfolio view of project management</a> because product development projects cannot be optimized in isolation. We help companies control the complex dependencies between one project and another that help prevent projects from tripping over one another. Our methods to help manage processes often include clarifying responsibilities, especially the roles that <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-leadership/">project managers and leaders</a> play in the decision-making process.  </p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile-tools/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile-tools/<p>Please <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools/">download graphical tools</a> based on our book <em>Innovate Products Faster</em>.</p> <p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don&rsquo;t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/book/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/book/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Innovate-products-faster-trans-337x450_hu_44b849c5d21a3ccf.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Innovate-products-faster-trans-337x450_hu_680bd96e9695bd63.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Innovate-products-faster-trans-337x450_hu_8203bb58292aacf7.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Innovate-products-faster-trans-337x450_hu_b18e2ea3df589d4a.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Innovate Products Faster" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Innovate-products-faster-trans-337x450.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <h2 id="the-prevailing-view-of-innovation-is-wrong">The prevailing view of innovation is wrong.</h2> <p>The traditional view of product development is that there is a fundamental dichotomy between innovation and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/time-to-market/"><strong>time to market</strong></a>. You can have one or the other, but not both. However, this is not a physical law like Newton&rsquo;s law or the second law of thermodynamics, but rather a short-sighted view of <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/best-product-management-book/">management </a>that likes to use the excuse &ldquo;one or the other, but NOT BOTH.&rdquo;</p>https://www.tcgen.com/process-improvement-tools/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/process-improvement-tools/<p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don&rsquo;t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs.</p> <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto px-4 my-12"> <div class="grid gap-8 md:gap-12 grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2"> <article class="tool-item bg-white rounded-lg shadow-md overflow-hidden hover:shadow-lg transition-shadow duration-300 flex flex-col" data-tags='[&#34;high-performance-teams&#34;,&#34;responsibility-matrix&#34;,&#34;team-coordination&#34;,&#34;process-improvement&#34;,&#34;product-development-process&#34;]'> <div class="aspect-video overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/circle-dot-chart/"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_634a3901db45b223.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_d801251bb6e530de.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_584d331265cd1722.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_3676bf65db8c47e4.webp 2560w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 800px, 320px" alt="Circle Dot Chart" class="w-full object-cover hover:scale-105 transition-transform duration-300" loading="lazy" decoding="async" > </a> </div> <div class="p-6 flex flex-col justify-between h-full flex-grow"> <header class="mb-4"> <h2 class="text-xl md:text-2xl font-sora my-4 text-brand-dark"> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/circle-dot-chart/" class="hover:text-brand-blue transition-colors">Circle Dot Chart</a> </h2> </header> <div class="text-gray-700 mb-4 flex-grow"> <p class="font-montserrat">This simplified RACI helps you clarify who owns what decisions within a project.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition/<p><em>Studies have shown that over 70% of all delays are due to inadequate or changing Product Definition. It can make the difference between a failed launch and a blockbuster.</em></p> <h2 id="it-can-make-the-difference-between-a-failed-launch-and-a-blockbuster">It can make the difference between a failed launch and a blockbuster.</h2> <p>But the new product requirements process remains one of the most challenging aspects of product development – creating a dynamic tension between engineering (features) and marketing (benefits). Defining new products involves deep customer knowledge and the ability to probe beyond what customers say they want, to serve their actual needs. Teasing out new product requirements is an art that includes listening and respecting customers.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition-tools/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition-tools/<p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don&rsquo;t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs.</p> <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto px-4 my-12"> <div class="grid gap-8 md:gap-12 grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2"> <article class="tool-item bg-white rounded-lg shadow-md overflow-hidden hover:shadow-lg transition-shadow duration-300 flex flex-col" data-tags='[&#34;high-performance-teams&#34;,&#34;product-development&#34;,&#34;innovation&#34;,&#34;product-definition&#34;,&#34;product-strategy-and-portfolio&#34;,&#34;product-development-process&#34;]'> <div class="aspect-video overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/innovate-products-faster/"> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/innovate-products-faster-cover_hu_bd7e5364e407b704.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/innovate-products-faster-cover_hu_80cef05f5fa11bdd.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/innovate-products-faster-cover_hu_28a3e72ecdfcf43a.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/innovate-products-faster-cover_hu_fb9b74e106569fb9.webp 2560w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 800px, 320px" alt="Innovate Products Faster" class="w-full object-cover hover:scale-105 transition-transform duration-300" loading="lazy" decoding="async" > </a> </div> <div class="p-6 flex flex-col justify-between h-full flex-grow"> <header class="mb-4"> <h2 class="text-xl md:text-2xl font-sora my-4 text-brand-dark"> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/innovate-products-faster/" class="hover:text-brand-blue transition-colors">Innovate Products Faster</a> </h2> </header> <div class="text-gray-700 mb-4 flex-grow"> <p class="font-montserrat">Graphical Tools for Accelerating Product Development</p>https://www.tcgen.com/metrics/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/metrics/<p>Teams are tasked with collecting product development metrics because they’re easy to gather rather than useful. Or they focus on validating whether they succeeded or failed instead of measuring the behaviors that drive success. More effective new product development metrics track the critical few factors that allow project leadership to make better decisions. These metrics provide a direct line of sight between the project goal and the three to five key measures that, when defined and frequently gathered, will best predict the likelihood of achieving that goal.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics/<h2 id="too-many-companies-are-measuring-the-wrong-things-in-the-wrong-way-and-ending-up-with-the-wrong-results">Too many companies are measuring the wrong things, in the wrong way, and ending up with the wrong results.</h2> <p>Product Management capability is emerging as one of the most important for innovative companies. Product Management takes three things – raw talent, organizational capability and influence. TCGen helps companies gain Product Management capability. We help to build product managers into influencers, through superior decision making and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-leadership/">product management leadership</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>“We’re making better decisions, faster”</strong></p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-strategy-and-portfolio-tools/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:22 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-strategy-and-portfolio-tools/<p>Please <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools/">download graphical tools</a> based on our book <em>Innovate Products Faster</em>.</p> <p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don&rsquo;t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs. We suggest <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-portfolio-management/"><strong>product portfolio management</strong></a> or product development strategy to get started.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics-tools/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:17 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics-tools/<p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don’t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs.</p> <!-- [Download Tools](#gettools) --> <h2 id="product-development-metrics-tools">Product Development Metrics Tools</h2> <h3 id="click-the-links-below-to-view-spreadsheet-based-templates-that-describe-the-tool-its-benefits-and-how-to-apply-it-the-tools-are-downloadable-free-of-charge-download-them-share-them-use-them-in-your-organization">Click the links below to view spreadsheet-based templates that describe the tool, its benefits and how to apply it. The tools are downloadable free of charge. Download them, share them, use them in your organization. </h3> <p>[pods name=&ldquo;tools&rdquo; where=&ldquo;tools_category.slug=&lsquo;product-development-metrics&rsquo;&rdquo; template=&ldquo;Tools Archive - Single&rdquo;]</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-process-tools/Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:40:17 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-process-tools/<p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don’t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs. If you need the basics, check out our work on the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/"><strong>product development process</strong></a>.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/product-development-checklist/Fri, 24 Jul 2020 19:09:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/product-development-checklist/<p>Product Development Checklist</p> <p>In our work as <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development-consulting/">product development consultants</a> with companies like Apple, Amazon, Abbott, Mozilla, Cisco, HP, IBM, Roche, 3M and others, we’ve seen many avoidable problems solved. We often see the same small number of challenges repeated over and over – issues that could have been resolved with a few simple but powerful distinctions, and simple practices that put them into action. We use a more detailed form of this checklist when assessing a<a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/new/"> new product development</a> process, too.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/program-managers-linchpin-of-product-development-agility/Sat, 13 Jun 2020 03:32:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/program-managers-linchpin-of-product-development-agility/<p>The rate of technology and market change today is staggering. For example, who could have imagined Google and Apple displacing auto companies? Yet, too many companies lack a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-portfolio-management/">Portfolio Management</a> process that enables them to respond effectively to such shifts in markets and in the labs. Even many companies that have an adequate portfolio process lack the ability to make the decisions that allow them to alter course quickly. This results in products that lose competitive market position and fail to meet revenue targets.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/innovation-two-systems-better-one/Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:14:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/innovation-two-systems-better-one/<p>In too many companies, the front end of development remains as fuzzy as it was decades ago. The same companies that will micro-manage IT, or spend time simplifying a portion of their manufacturing operations, show little interest in improving the early stage innovation activities that drive future top line growth. Within product development, companies spend time endlessly revising budgets, while ignoring the strategic management of the ideas that are the lifeblood of technology companies. The most striking product innovations are the result of both <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/strategic-planning-process-innovation-long-term-horizon-product-planning/">strategic planning</a> and the careful nurturing of innovative product ideas. And yet companies do not have <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/">systematic processes</a> for dealing with both of these aspects of their future product portfolio.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/attitude-influence-diagram-eliminating-political-roadblocks/Mon, 01 Jun 2020 21:32:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/attitude-influence-diagram-eliminating-political-roadblocks/<p>Have you ever had an excellent product concept derailed by internal politics? Of course you have because almost anyone who has been through the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/">product development process</a> more than a few times has experienced this. It is frustrating since good ideas that could benefit the company as well as the individuals involved are blocked for irrational causes. Can anything been done to help eliminate these roadblocks? The <em>Attitude Influence Diagram</em> is one tool that helps to overcome political obstacles. It is a scatter plot of your project&rsquo;s supporters and detractors that helps you to isolate and manage the key individuals that might impede your success.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/building-high-performance-teams-to-drive-innovation/Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:26:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/building-high-performance-teams-to-drive-innovation/<p>High-performance teams are not desirable in achieving innovation and speed - they are essential. However, most companies underestimate or overlook the benefit and opportunity that come from high-performance teams. In our work with world-class technology companies, high-performance teams are, quite frankly, part of their DNA and contribute to their competitive advantage. There are many examples of dysfunctional teams that have heroically pushed products over the finish line, but what many do not acknowledge is the opportunity cost of sub-optimal team performance, both in hard costs (delayed revenue, higher product costs, and higher support costs for low-quality products that reach customers) and soft costs (poor product reviews, lack of innovation, team fatigue, and low morale). We have identified four steps for creating a high performance <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/">cross functional team</a> that you can implement across your organization. If you are ready to incorporate high-performance teams as part of your company’s DNA and look forward to seeing a measurable improvement in your ability to quickly innovate and deliver winning products to market, here are the four things you should do:</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/risk-management-matrix-anticipating-and-mitigating-risk/Sun, 31 May 2020 21:11:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/risk-management-matrix-anticipating-and-mitigating-risk/<p>You can’t take the risk out of invention and no project is completely risk-free. But you can reduce the risk, even in the most innovative programs. How? By anticipating it. The Risk Management Matrix is an elegant way to anticipate, manage, and mitigate product development risks. The benefit of this methodology is that it defines a specific risk trigger point and defines it as a quantitative threshold. It also includes an action plan to mitigate the risk should you exceed the threshold.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/visualizing-the-resource-gaps/Fri, 15 May 2020 01:41:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/visualizing-the-resource-gaps/<p>Rarely does a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/">cross functional team</a> start a project with adequate resources to deliver on a predictable schedule. More likely, one of the key risk mitigation efforts is managing the ebb and flow of resource availability as individuals work on different projects at different times. And then, invariably, something falls through the cracks, and throws the project off the rails because you didn’t have the right resources in place. Inadequate staffing or unclear priorities across organizations often leave resource gaps on teams that lead to schedule slips, cost overruns and organizational chaos. Complicated capacity planning tools are often ignored or obsolete. To quickly get a clear picture of staffing gaps, teams can use a simple graphical tool to gain clarity on how &amp; when a team is fully staffed, and provides a mechanism for making better decisions faster.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/the-function-phase-matrix-clarifying-roles-and-responsibilities/Fri, 08 May 2020 21:48:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/the-function-phase-matrix-clarifying-roles-and-responsibilities/<p>Companies launch new projects every day. Many of them get off to a <em>fast</em> start but that does not necessarily mean a <em>good</em> start. Projects get derailed quickly when teams don’t have a clear understanding of what each functional group is contributing during each phase of the project. The Function Phase Matrix helps clarify the <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/">cross functional team</a> objectives, roles and responsibilities. It tracks key deliverables across the phases of a project and identifies each function’s participation in each of these phases.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/is-your-recruiting-process-damaging-your-brand/Fri, 01 May 2020 20:44:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/is-your-recruiting-process-damaging-your-brand/<p>In this time of slow job growth, many excellent people, either unemployed or unhappily employed, are checking job boards and sending out inquiries and resumes.  It is a great time for forward-looking companies to recruit for valuable professionals and workers. But what messages are these companies sending with their recruiting process?</p> <h2 id="what-are-the-typical-responses-after-applying-to-a-posted-job">What are the typical responses after applying to a posted job?</h2> <p><strong>After applying to a posted job, here are the typical responses seen by most applicants, in approximate order of frequency:</strong></p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/control-agile-development-project/Mon, 27 Apr 2020 09:37:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/control-agile-development-project/<p>So-called &ldquo;Waterfall&rdquo; or &ldquo;Phase-Gate&rdquo; product development methodologies often give management the illusion that they control the project while meddling and slowing it down. Each formal gate meeting or project review is an opportunity for every manager to put the project team under scrutiny about their accomplishments and whether they should continue with the next phase. I have been on both sides of the PC projector for many of these reviews, so I know what I am talking about. The project slows down when a gate checkpoint meeting or formal review is approaching. The project manager and critical technical contributors view the meeting as an opportunity to show their value or possibly slip up, which may affect their project and their personal ranking and stature. Therefore, they spend a lot of time and emotional energy on perfecting slideware – deciding what to emphasize or obfuscate about the project&rsquo;s progress. These meetings also drive other suboptimal behavior; for example, to show a &ldquo;quick win&rdquo; at a review, the team may take on a quick, low-risk piece of the development instead of concentrating their talents on retiring the higher-risk elements as early as possible. These deferred high-risk elements can cause significant project problems and delays later.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/tips-for-leading-a-globally-distributed-group/Thu, 16 Apr 2020 02:18:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/tips-for-leading-a-globally-distributed-group/<p>Many of today’s leaders try to coordinate business resources that are scattered over a large geographic area – perhaps even the whole world. It is common for such people to have direct reports on two or three continents, plus possibly key partners, subcontractors and suppliers even further afield. Leading such a dispersed group can be physically and emotionally very taxing, as those of us who have logged 200,000 flight miles or more in a year can tell you.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/circle-dot-chart-clarifying-responsibilities/Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:59:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/circle-dot-chart-clarifying-responsibilities/<p>Sorting out <em>who does what</em> on a project with a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/"><strong>cross functional team</strong></a> is pretty basic. Clear tasks with clear responsibilities and deadlines is Project Management 101. But how many projects have you managed where it was unclear who was responsible for a deliverable until it turned into a mess? The Circle Dot Chart, a modification of the “<a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/"><strong>raci</strong></a>” chart, addresses this issue. It is a set of connected circles in a matrix framework that identifies key deliverables on the horizontal axis and key roles or key individuals on the vertical axis. The chart itself is less important than the cross-functional contracts you create when you discuss and document key deliverables.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/visualizing-the-unexpected/Tue, 07 Apr 2020 04:45:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/visualizing-the-unexpected/<p>Project post mortems can be an excellent tool for learning from mistakes and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/"><strong>implementing process and decision-making</strong></a>improvements.  However, many times, these meetings, if held at all, get off to a bad start.  Typically, they quickly deteriorate into emotional finger pointing sessions where more credence is given to opinion rather than facts.  Team members leave frustrated, and skeptical that the same mistakes won’t occur over and over again.   The Event Timeline tool allows teams to come together at the end of a project to collect and prioritize fact-based information that will serve a credible basis for the post mortem process.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/staffing-ratio-matrix-optimizing-workloads-across-functions/Thu, 02 Apr 2020 22:17:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/staffing-ratio-matrix-optimizing-workloads-across-functions/<p>One of the most difficult challenges our clients face is determining the optimum balance of skills on a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/"><strong>cross functional team</strong></a>. Getting the right balance of functions on the team – such that it is supported but not starved for the right skills – is a challenge for many companies. A staffing ratio is the number of personnel in one function divided by the number of personnel in another. In product development, the base number used to calculate the ratios is often the headcount of Design Engineers since they usually represent the function with the largest number of team members. The numbers of personnel in other functions are then compared with Design Engineers in order to measure the balance of human resources on the team.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/forecasting-the-future/Thu, 26 Mar 2020 04:06:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/forecasting-the-future/<h2 id="what-is-the-improvement-forecaster">What is the Improvement Forecaster?</h2> <p>The Half-Life Diagram consists of an equation, and a graphical plot of expected improvement over time.  The Half-Life Diagram uses estimated degrees of technical and organizational complexity (high, middle, and low) as an input to the model and based on research of prior programs, then estimates the rate of improvement based on similar projects out of a study of nearly 100 programs*.</p> <p>This Half-Life Diagram generates a target curve over time that a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/"><strong>project team</strong></a> can use to gauge its progress.  Although most of the applications of this tool come from process improvement and change management initiatives, there are many other areas where it can be applied – either in spirit or by exact application.  Based on the technical and organizational complexity inputs, the output is a continuous graph that shows the projected improvement assuming that the improvement can be characterized by a relationship of constant percentage improvement – so the rate of improvement remains constant.  This is typical of most initiatives where you would expect say 50% improvement per time period, period over period.  If this time period for a 50% improvement is one month, after 4 months you would have accumulated a total improvement of 92%.  The time to get to 50% improvement is called the ‘half life’ since it is the time required to cut the errors by half.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/new-product-development-need-improve-team-performance-find-correct-pinch-points/Sat, 21 Mar 2020 05:21:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/new-product-development-need-improve-team-performance-find-correct-pinch-points/<p>Teams that develop new products are challenged to produce a high-quality, valuable solutions in as short a time as possible and within a tight budget. We all know that slippage in time-to-market; decreased functionality, or increased cost can have major negative consequences for the business, and may even determine the success or failure of a new product launch.</p> <p>One major cause of such slippage is confusion within the team around roles and responsibilities. If nobody on the team knows who is empowered to make a certain decision, the decision can go unmade, wasting valuable time, or be made by the wrong person – the person who does not have the knowledge to make such decisions.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/agile-myth-1-cant-work-hardware/Thu, 28 Nov 2019 00:33:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/agile-myth-1-cant-work-hardware/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/middleManager_shutterstock_512154358-300x228-768x584_hu_8fea4836eecbf8d8.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/middleManager_shutterstock_512154358-300x228-768x584_hu_1ebbb95d3c75bf78.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/middleManager_shutterstock_512154358-300x228-768x584_hu_1ae6b740ff39c21.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/middleManager_shutterstock_512154358-300x228-768x584_hu_331038846b95adf.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="It’s Management, not Ceremonies. - That is the problem and solution" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/middleManager_shutterstock_512154358-300x228-768x584.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <h2 id="its-management-not-ceremonies">It&rsquo;s management, not Ceremonies.</h2> <p>That is the problem and solution</p> <p>We repeatedly hear statements from hardware teams trying to increase speed and predictability in their product development projects but refuse to believe they can employ Agile methods. They don&rsquo;t get the real deal for Agile. They don&rsquo;t understand that it isn&rsquo;t the practices themselves (Fixed Length, Short Duration Sprints, Standups, Burndowns, Planning Poker, User Stories) that enable success – it is what these practices allow.  Think about it more deeply, and you will find that the real reason that these practices work is that they facilitate a conducive environment for success!  The elements of success, based on our research, have much more to do with management than teams:</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/the-product-radar-chart-making-smart-product-tradeoffs/Fri, 09 Aug 2019 20:39:53 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/the-product-radar-chart-making-smart-product-tradeoffs/<p>In product development limited resources (time, money, or staff) force tradeoffs both at the level of the product portfolio and within individual products. Lacking a methodology for evaluating potential products, companies often make product selection decisions based on unsubstantiated factors such as convenience, the enthusiasm of the lead engineer, or the rank of the executive who cheers the loudest. The first step is to have a strong <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/"><strong>product development strategy</strong></a>. Then, the Product Radar Chart can help.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/comparative-funding-models-funding-innovation-programs/Fri, 09 Aug 2019 20:35:16 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/comparative-funding-models-funding-innovation-programs/<p>Most businesses today are looking to take advantage of innovation to drive revenue growth, but they lack 1) an overall <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/"><strong>strategic planning process</strong></a> for innovation and 2) methods to fund the R&amp;D expense necessary to support expansion. Use this handy visualization tool to fund innovation programs. Business units that have R&amp;D budgets below that of the corporate average are called “sources.” They source revenue allocations to other business units called “sinks” because the R&amp;D budget allocation their sales generate, using the corporate average percentage, is lower than their spending. The sum of the sources and sinks yields the overall average.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/derivative-chart-maximizing-the-value-of-your-platform/Fri, 09 Aug 2019 20:09:13 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/derivative-chart-maximizing-the-value-of-your-platform/<p>The Platform/Derivative distinction is a key to <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/"><strong>product development strategy</strong></a>. According to David Robertson, a platform is “the collection of assets that are shared by a set of products.” These assets divide into four categories:</p> <ul> <li>Components: the part designs of a product, the fixtures and tools needed to make them, the circuit designs, and the programs burned into programmable chips or stored on disks.</li> <li>Processes: the equipment used to make components or to assemble them into products, and the design of the associated production process and supply chain.</li> <li>Knowledge: design know-how, technology applications and limitations, production techniques, mathematical models, and testing methods.</li> <li>People and relationships: teams, relationships among team members, relationships between the team and the larger organization, and relations with a network of suppliers.</li> </ul> <p>In our discussion, we will recognize the total definition of platform as indicated by the four points above, but our primary focus will be the notion that a platform is “a collection of assets (components) that are shared by a set of products.”</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/how-do-you-quantify-the-probability-of-success-of-a-new-product/Sat, 27 Jul 2019 19:41:11 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/how-do-you-quantify-the-probability-of-success-of-a-new-product/<p>If I had the definitive answer to this, I would be a millionaire! For the sake of simplicity (and for most real situations) we will assume that this question is asked by a manager or business owners at a company that has been in business, understands the market, and this is a new product development or launch for this company.</p> <p>The basic <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/metrics/"><strong>product development metrics</strong></a> we will use are:</p> <ol> <li>Sales rate one year after launch</li> <li>Gross margin of the product</li> </ol> <p>Thresholds for these two metrics are defined in the business case used to justify the cost of product development.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/how-to-manage-risk-proactively/Fri, 22 Feb 2019 19:55:42 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/how-to-manage-risk-proactively/<p>Innovation means doing something that has never been done before. And that’s fraught with risk. In new product development, innovation may entail technical risk, market risk, risk relating to outside partners, or even political events far beyond your control. No new product development program can avoid risk.</p> <p>However, much more than business-as-usual can be done to anticipate and <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/project-management/risk-management/"><strong>mitigate risks proactively</strong></a>. With forethought and planning, teams can at least get a head start in identifying likely challenges and then creating the basics of an action plan should the risk become reality.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/product-vision-between-strategy-amp-roadmaps/Fri, 09 Nov 2018 20:15:45 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/product-vision-between-strategy-amp-roadmaps/<p>Have you ever wondered how to create a great product vision?  Let’s show you.  Start with some examples to get your reference frame properly set.  Then look at some of the formats that might work best for you.</p> <p><strong>Amazon:</strong></p> <p>&ldquo;Our vision is to be earth&rsquo;s most customer centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.&rdquo;</p> <p><strong>Patagonia:</strong></p> <p>“Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/empowering-teams-through-metrics-at-apple/Mon, 30 Jul 2018 22:48:46 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/empowering-teams-through-metrics-at-apple/<p><em>Apple is an iconic brand noted for disruptive innovation. In the heat of the digital revolution that it helped spark, Apple’s products became a portfolio of increasingly complex and diverse offerings. At a crucial point in its growth, the company had to reign in its exuberance and created a disciplined, cross-company <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/"><strong>product development process</strong></a>.</em></p> <img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AppleLogo.png" alt="Apple Logo" class="ml-4 mb-4 w-32 sm:w-48 float-right"> <p>The challenge: the lack of a consistent process meant that each team reinvented the wheel. Worse, teams were unaware that they were interdependent on one another. The direction and decisions of one team might conflict with those of another. Conflicts over features and schedules loomed especially on the software side. Decisions made by one software team would have implications in the OS that would crash the work of another team. Cowboy teams acting in isolation also tend to cause conflicts over suppliers and over functional resources.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/seven-product-development-process-lessons-from-boses-blockbusters/Mon, 30 Jul 2018 21:03:21 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/seven-product-development-process-lessons-from-boses-blockbusters/<p><em>I had the good fortune to work with Dr. Amar Bose and with the great company he founded. I helped to bring into the world two blockbuster products – BOSE’s Noise-Cancelling Headphones and the BOSE® Wave® Music System. Here are <strong>seven product development process lessons</strong> learned from our experience creating products enjoyed by millions of customers.  See our video at <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/XcnT1GU89ss">https://youtu.be/XcnT1GU89ss</a></strong></em></p> <h2 id="lesson-1-noise-cancelling-headphones-were-not-about-cancelling-noise">Lesson #1: Noise-Cancelling Headphones Were Not About Cancelling Noise.</h2> <p>Bose wanted to improve the sound quality and tonal balance of a set of headphones. We weren’t working on a noise-reduction problem. Only after developing the technology did we realize that our aims were off-target and that the right goal was noise-reduction. In many cases, the primary benefit for consumers is unknown to developers. What turns out to be the real consumer benefit is not what you envisioned. It is often a secondary artifact of your invention that matters most in the end.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/change-impact-matrix-understanding-the-consequences-of-changes/Fri, 12 Jul 2013 22:29:46 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/change-impact-matrix-understanding-the-consequences-of-changes/<p>With shrinking technology lifecycles, as well as economic and technology developments happening every day, people are confronting the reality of continuous organizational change management. Managers are looking for tools that can help them prepare project teams for change initiatives, including <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/">cross-functional team examples</a>. The Change Impact Matrix is a descriptive tool that details the scope of the changes that everyone involved in a project will face. The matrix is useful for presenting the project context to upper management when discussing the project status, schedule, and progress to plan.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/what-is-technology-roadmap/Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:47:54 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/what-is-technology-roadmap/<p>We’ve been surprised lately how few companies are getting the most out of their Technology Roadmaps. We also find that clients often confuse a <strong>Technology Roadmap with an</strong> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-product-development-roadmap/"><strong>Agile Product Development Roadmap</strong></a>. The best Technology Roadmaps can be rigorous risk management tools while Product Roadmaps can be cartoonish Powerpoint slides depicting products over time. Technologies form one stream of activities, while product timetables form another stream. The Technology Roadmap ties these two streams together by indicating which core technologies will be mature enough to incorporate into a particular product release. It’s one facet of a larger <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/"><strong>product development strategy</strong></a>.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/social-community-matrix-getting-the-most-out-of-social-communities/Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:08:02 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/social-community-matrix-getting-the-most-out-of-social-communities/<p>We see many of our clients using virtual communities to communicate and collaborate with customers, suppliers, or other partners. They find that social solutions can accelerate innovation and product development. Managed communities enable the best resources to share ideas, collaborate, and present the best proposals to the leadership team. The Social Community Matrix is a tool that helps you select the best type of community for your needs, whether you are setting up an internal community (only employees) or an external community as well.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/anticipating-risks-the-risk-mind-map/Thu, 23 May 2013 21:56:15 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/anticipating-risks-the-risk-mind-map/<p>Product development is a risky activity. Managers often ask us <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/project-management/risk-management/">how they can learn to better anticipate risks</a> and how they can prepare to face these challenges as they occur. <em>Mindmapping</em> is a fresh approach to risk assessment and management. Mind maps record a creative process. They are used for creative problem solving, requirements generation, and product idea generation, but teams can also use them to brainstorm potential risks.</p> <h2 id="benefits-of-risk-mind-maps">Benefits of Risk Mind Maps:</h2> <ol> <li>Portrays the whole spectrum of risks at a glance</li> <li>Assesses which of those risks are the most probable and/or have the most impact on the project</li> <li>Allows teams to track risks and update the risk assessment as the project progresses</li> </ol> <p>To create a mind map write the central concern in the middle of the diagram. Draw related factors as bubbles connected to the central concern.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/optimizing-processes-four-fields-mapping/Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:08:10 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/optimizing-processes-four-fields-mapping/<h2 id="what-is-the-tool-four-fields-process-map">What Is the Tool? Four-Fields Process Map</h2> <p>Originated in Japan, the Four-Fields Map is a graphical technique most commonly applied to <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/"><strong>cross-functional processes</strong></a>. Unlike more traditional project planning methods that apply work breakdown structures and critical path analysis, the Four-Fields Map emphasizes the elements of tasks, teamwork, and quality.</p> <p>The tool describes the execution of a process across four areas:</p> <ol> <li> <p><strong>Phases:</strong> discrete states over time that define where in the process the team is executing.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/managing-project-cadence-deliverable-hit-rate-chart/Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:37:46 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/managing-project-cadence-deliverable-hit-rate-chart/<h2 id="what-is-the-tool-deliverable-hit-rate-chart">What Is the Tool? Deliverable Hit Rate Chart</h2> <p>The Deliverable Hit Rate tool monitors the progress of completed tasks against a target over time.  Best applied to complex programs with a large number of tasks, the tool is a high level graphical representation that indicates whether the cadence of task completion is on-track for delivering the program on time.</p> <p>The tool is constructed by establishing first constructing a linear target rate.  The target is calculated by dividing the total number of tasks required to complete the program by the duration of the program, typically measured in months.  At the end of each month, the number of completed tasks is mapped against the target for that time period.  A line chart is then generated to present actual vs. target.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/are-product-roadmaps-now-a-waste-of-time/Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:08:58 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/are-product-roadmaps-now-a-waste-of-time/<p><em><strong>H. Stanley Judd:</strong></em> “<a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/a_good_plan_is_like_a_road_map-it_shows_the_final/296095.html"><em>A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there.</em></a>”</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ProductRoadmap-1_hu_185995a588645172.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ProductRoadmap-1_hu_dfc44605389da047.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ProductRoadmap-1_hu_32aafbdcc9c0347.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ProductRoadmap-1_hu_109c5116a1682ca5.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Roadmap" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ProductRoadmap-1.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <h2 id="what-is-a-product-roadmap">What Is a Product Roadmap?</h2> <p>Product roadmaps often serve two masters and fail both. On one hand, the sales team uses them to close a sale because they insert the customer’s key wish into the product plan. On the other hand, product management uses them to assure the CEO that they plan to support their vision even though engineering has not looked at them. What they should do is to facilitate a company’s <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/"><strong>product development strategy</strong></a>.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-burndown-graphs/Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:18:53 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-burndown-graphs/<h2 id="whats-new">What’s New?</h2> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/46_burn-150x150_hu_dca036b804c4f51d.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/46_burn-150x150_hu_3a492afe0c5850ec.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/46_burn-150x150_hu_cd6432b0545bac93.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/46_burn-150x150_hu_4d4e631c5e6050d3.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Small Bar Graph" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/46_burn-150x150.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Software development has migrated to some degree from the waterfall model, where there is a clear handoff from one stage to the next, to agile development, where iteration of builds is the dominant paradigm. In agile development, the team goes through the whole requirements (build/integrate/test cycle) with the goal of solving the greatest number of user stories or requirements per build. Tracking the number of user stories completed per build as well as displaying them in a graphical format in the team workspace is an emerging practice that combines many best practices in one easy-to-use system.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/jump-starting-teams/Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:15:11 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/jump-starting-teams/<h2 id="whats-new">What’s New?</h2> <p>New programs spin up every day, but most teams get off to a bad start. In a rush to get going, they forego a few simple steps that would help position their programs for success. What’s new is a simple nine-step process that will ensure that teams quickly establish a firm foundation from which they can successfully execute their programs.</p> <h2 id="what-is-the-tool">What Is the Tool?</h2> <h3 id="nine-step-process-for-jump-starting-teams">Nine-Step Process for jump starting teams</h3> <p>Successful programs require that teams are aligned, have a common vision of success, and know how success will be measured. This nine-step process can be used to accelerate the desired outcomes by aligning teams, piloting new processes prior to broader implementation and creating a set of metrics by which to measure success.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/software-product-management-staffing-ratios/Fri, 21 May 2010 10:59:49 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/software-product-management-staffing-ratios/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/aixenprovencemascaron_thumb_hu_accd0baee0194552.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/aixenprovencemascaron_thumb_hu_6b354144259d0776.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/aixenprovencemascaron_thumb_hu_bc41005b0628cfb1.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/aixenprovencemascaron_thumb_hu_6afa9b828eb455e4.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Software Product Management – Staffing Ratios" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/aixenprovencemascaron_thumb.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Product Management is often an understaffed, overworked function.</p> <p>Yet, the impact that this organization has on development is huge.  The best analogy is a lever.  One Product Manager can effectively move 10 or more engineers and focus them on the winning requirement.  Done properly, it is amazing!  Done poorly it is a disaster.</p> <p>We recently performed a <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-benchmarking-often-fails-to-deliver-results/">benchmarking</a> study that included data from the following companies:</p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-benchmarking-often-fails-to-deliver-results/Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:07:54 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-benchmarking-often-fails-to-deliver-results/<p>Like many things in life, benchmarking often fails just when you need it most.  In order to motivate organizations to improve, external yardsticks are often used to motivate action.  In many cases, this is framed by a point example. </p> <p>For example, “…if HP can move from a computer company to a higher margin services company why can’t we?” might be a battle cry from one GM of a company’s professional services organization. Well, these battle cries may be desperately needed by the organization, but they fall on deaf ears. </p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/attitude-influence-diagram/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/attitude-influence-diagram/<p>Help identify and manage the key individuals who might impede your success by determining your project’s supporters and detractors. This product development process tool is a subjective assessment that provides a visual map to clarify the political landscape around your team. Requirements Management Matrix</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Attitude-Influence-Chart_hu_49aa30ed31ba5ca2.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Attitude-Influence-Chart_hu_fe58823061e67b1f.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Attitude-Influence-Chart_hu_ca26b7951ab0e083.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Attitude-Influence-Chart_hu_31e7117956e8c4c2.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Attitude Influence Diagram" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Attitude-Influence-Chart.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Attitude-Influence-Tool_0619.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Attitude-Influence-Tool_0619.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Attitude-Influence-Tool_0619.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Attitude-Influence-Tool_0619.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/test-background/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/test-background/<h1 id="background-pattern-test">Background Pattern Test</h1> <p>This page contains plain content to help visualize the site&rsquo;s global background pattern without any section backgrounds or overlays.</p> <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sit amet arcu vel risus gravida interdum. In nec lorem ac est pulvinar accumsan. Proin hendrerit aliquet mauris, ut interdum tellus facilisis id. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Integer accumsan, magna sit amet malesuada faucibus, elit libero pellentesque quam, ut tincidunt odio sapien vitae ante.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/boundary-conditions-diagram/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/boundary-conditions-diagram/<p>The Boundary Conditions Diagram is a tool that identifies the critical elements of a project and defines the conditions which must exist for a team to ship a successful product to market. Boundary Conditions create a “contract” between the project and management teams. This contract allows the team the authority to plan and execute the project with minimal intervention unless they cross the boundaries. Should the team cross these boundaries, there is a clear process to get the team back on track. Attitude Influence Diagram</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/brion-roberto/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/brion-roberto/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brion-roberto_hu_ab7a642ae22fe561.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brion-roberto_hu_5998949ecb34e8d7.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brion-roberto_hu_fc332727a3ee0d17.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brion-roberto_hu_75530f83cb56fd8d.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Brion Roberto" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/brion-roberto.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>With more than 20 years of experience, Brion is a leader focused on driving innovation and tackling challenging customer problems. He brings a wealth of senior executive cross-functional experience piloting global product management, marketing, and technology organizations. From startups to leading companies such as Diageo, Sanofi, Gartner, and The Washington Post, Brion&rsquo;s unique approach has garnered awards for exceptional products that deliver.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/capacity-models-in-agile-development/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/capacity-models-in-agile-development/<p>This paper adds to the <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/e/9c66c8fbc9f14f689dddac43c8e51938/">Method Matters Podcast with Carlos Taborda</a> from July 2019 (refer to 32:00)</p> <p>A good capacity model is your secret weapon for improving your ability to deliver value rapidly. This paper describes how capacity models work and steps to develop your own.</p> <p>A <strong>capacity model</strong> is a continuously refined artifact that helps to forecast how much work can get done in a given time. At Agilent’s Software and Informatics Division (SID), our capacity model helped us to more than double our productivity over a couple of years. It helped our stakeholders and customers understand what to expect from us at every release. Our capacity model was and still is the foundation of our team’s confidence and our customers‘ trust.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/change-impact-matrix/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/change-impact-matrix/<p>As product development projects progress, circumstances change. The Change Impact Matrix is a descriptive template that captures the details of what is likely to change for everyone involved in your project. It helps project teams prepare for the future and serves as a discussion guide for planning risk-mitigation activities. It enables organizational change management.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1_change-impact-matrix_hu_3d0ad5dd7d6ea64a.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1_change-impact-matrix_hu_d2e07a2831d0ebcc.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1_change-impact-matrix_hu_b571b4b87780fef7.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1_change-impact-matrix_hu_9d14ed2cc81940d1.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Change Impact Matrix" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1_change-impact-matrix.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Change-Impact-Tool_0619.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/circle-dot-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/circle-dot-chart/<p>Have you ever managed a project where it was not clear that someone was responsible for a deliverable until it was too late? The Circle Dot Chart, an improvement on the “raci” chart, solves this problem. The tool illustrates the directly responsible individual and contributors for each key project deliverable.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_634a3901db45b223.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_d801251bb6e530de.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_584d331265cd1722.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1_hu_3676bf65db8c47e4.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Circle Dot Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CircleDotChart-1.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Circle-Dot-Chart-tool-dvr1.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/comparative-funding-model/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/comparative-funding-model/<p>This tool helps shift the debate about funding new innovation projects from the political to the strategic. By looking at your funding levels over time, it helps to communicate to business unit managers how budgets represent tradeoffs, and how to make strategic allocations based on models not politics.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Comparative2BFunding2BModel_hu_7acf36292899f8a5.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Comparative2BFunding2BModel_hu_3949375fd47cde97.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Comparative2BFunding2BModel_hu_8782c6988f65c191.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Comparative2BFunding2BModel_hu_4da0487563637571.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Comparative Funding Model" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Comparative2BFunding2BModel.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Comparative-Funding-Model.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/cross-functional-team-model/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/cross-functional-team-model/<p>The Cross Functional Team Model is a tool to identify the leadership, critical functions, and key individuals in a cross functional team. It is a snapshot that identifies, by name, the functional resources assigned to a project. You structure the wheel as three concentric circles to differentiate between the project manager, the core team, and the extended team. Function Phase Matrix</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2Bteam2Bwheel_hu_501a4eb29d17fa21.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2Bteam2Bwheel_hu_b87d3791fa01c408.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2Bteam2Bwheel_hu_4acf4a6ee9e5c10d.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2Bteam2Bwheel_hu_fcf0bc3169f644c1.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Cross Functional Team Model" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2Bteam2Bwheel.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/david-vermette/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/david-vermette/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/david-vermette_hu_b8ef0d38ac773636.webp" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/david-vermette_hu_c6f590c50018e70c.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/david-vermette_hu_1519ba8dba592db5.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/david-vermette_hu_9fed603673b4d26b.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="David Vermette" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/david-vermette.webp" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>David Vermette has over 25 years of experience as an analyst, researcher, and writer specializing in product development and R&amp;D management. He has managed numerous primary research studies of <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-portfolio-management/"><strong>product development best practices</strong></a>. He has interviewed scores of product development practitioners from such companies as Ford, Motorola, and Xerox, as well as global thought leaders, consultants, authors, and academics. He has authored or co-authored white papers, case studies, reports, and presentations. He has contributed to research published by Oxford University Press and covered by <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/deliverable-hit-rate-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/deliverable-hit-rate-chart/<p>The Deliverable Hit Rate Chart monitors the progress of completed tasks against a target over time. It is a graph that indicates whether programs are staying on schedule by tracking the rate of task completion. It is applied best to complex programs with large numbers of tasks. Product Derivative Chart</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Deliverable2BHIt2BRate2BChart_hu_f65ab66388ad750b.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Deliverable2BHIt2BRate2BChart_hu_8da9b29b3a6217ad.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Deliverable2BHIt2BRate2BChart_hu_3d4ffaaf8911130.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Deliverable2BHIt2BRate2BChart_hu_2355bea6cced027f.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Deliverable Hit Rate Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Deliverable2BHIt2BRate2BChart.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Deliverable-Hit-Rate-Chart.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/five-habits-that-can-accelerate-product-development/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/five-habits-that-can-accelerate-product-development/<p><strong>Excerpted from the</strong> <a href="https://medium.com/authority-magazine/john-sadler-of-tcgen-on-the-5-habits-that-can-accelerate-product-development-cycles-9a89006f96a9"><strong>Authority Magazine interview with Rachel Kline</strong></a> <strong>and John Sadler</strong></p> <p><strong>RK: Based on your experience, what are your “Five Habits That Can Accelerate Product Development Cycles?” If you can, please share a story or an example for each.</strong></p> <h2 id="1-customer-contact-customer-contact-customer-contact">1. Customer contact, customer contact, customer contact</h2> <p>Any new product or service is an uncertain undertaking. One of the biggest uncertainties is whether if you build it anyone will buy it, followed closely by what characteristics really matter to customers. Success hinges on learning both as quickly as possible and keeping up with the critical characteristics as the market changes over time. In a<a href="https://youtu.be/8IhSWsQlaG8?t=906"> recent interview</a> Ford CEO Jim Farley said “we didn’t know that the main reason people are buying the F150 (Lightning) … is because it can power their house for 3 days. We didn’t know that a mobile battery … was going to be that evocative” This feature was an experiment, and it yielded surprising and very valuable knowledge. A team must get out of the building and take a few chances to figure that out.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/four-fields-map/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/four-fields-map/<p>The Four-Fields Map is a graphical technique most commonly applied to cross-functional processes. It emphasizes the elements of task, teamwork, and quality, with a focus on how you do the work rather than on what work to do. Applications of this tool include supplier risk assessment and customer service.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FourFieldsMap-1_hu_fe087d1452ca91c6.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FourFieldsMap-1_hu_311177ba11921467.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FourFieldsMap-1_hu_7aab1c216ca6f3e6.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FourFieldsMap-1_hu_8dabd9c7f36d3af8.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Four-Fields Map" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/FourFieldsMap-1.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Four-Fields-Map.pptx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/function-phase-matrix/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/function-phase-matrix/<p>The Function Phase Matrix allows a cross-functional project team to identify project objectives, roles &amp; responsibilities, and key deliverables, across the phases of a project. Use the matrix to visually identify dependencies between team members and deliverables.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Function2BPhase2BMatrix_hu_3fadb53fac336dce.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Function2BPhase2BMatrix_hu_51de447424610674.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Function2BPhase2BMatrix_hu_cc2e03bf023c79eb.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Function2BPhase2BMatrix_hu_ac44cc1f2c3e301b.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Function Phase Matrix" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Function2BPhase2BMatrix.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Function-Phase-Matrix-Tool.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Function-Phase-Matrix-Tool.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Function-Phase-Matrix-Tool.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Function-Phase-Matrix-Tool.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/high-performance-teams-tools/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/high-performance-teams-tools/<!-- TODO: add trust banner --> <p>These product development templates are based on real life examples, and have been tested in the field with clients on multiple engagements. We often are stuck when first getting started working on a complex issue, because we don&rsquo;t know how to take the first step. These graphical tools (graphs, charts, tables, and forms) are ready to go and can be modified for your needs.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/innovate-products-faster/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/innovate-products-faster/<p>The traditional perspective on product development suggests a conflict between innovation and time to market, implying that companies can prioritize one over the other. However, John Carter and Jeanne Bradford argue in their book that this view is a shortsighted management mindset. They contend that it is possible for companies to achieve both innovation and speed through the effective use of accessible tools and methodologies. These tools are designed to enable managers to make quicker, better decisions without complex systems or extensive IT investments. They have been successfully applied in over 50 client engagements across various industries, proving to be both tactically simple and strategically impactful for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Project Retrospective Methodology</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/john-carter/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/john-carter/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-carter_hu_a3f257c26e578ba9.webp" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-carter_hu_835c4fa83d57c22c.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-carter_hu_e0cd72973af66e61.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-carter_hu_c6a9cc65efdc43fb.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="John Carter" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-carter.webp" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>John Carter has been a widely respected adviser to technology firms over his career. John is the author of <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/book/"><em><strong>Innovate Products Faster: Graphical Tools for Accelerating Product Development</strong></em></a>. As Founder and Principal of TCGen Inc., he has advised some of the most revered technology firms in the world:</p> <p>• Abbott, Amazon, Apple<br> • BD, BOSE, Cisco, Fitbit<br> • HP, IBM, Roche</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/john-sadler/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/john-sadler/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-sadler_hu_35acde51f72a5d0c.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-sadler_hu_bb2d4decadfa72fb.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-sadler_hu_caea70a8ca4a7de7.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-sadler_hu_9e94e1223bbf724b.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="John Sadler" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/john-sadler.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>John Sadler focuses on helping executive leaders create the conditions for their teams to deliver value more rapidly to market, especially when software is involved. Professional experience in multiple markets, including medical devices, life sciences, internet, and consumer products, as well as proficiency in business strategy and multiple technical disciplines, allow John to bridge skill silos to get results.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/nine-step-initiative-plan/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/nine-step-initiative-plan/<p>New programs spin up every day, but most teams get off to a bad start. In a rush to get going, they forego a few simple steps that would help position their programs for success. What’s new is a simple nine-step process that will ensure that teams quickly establish a firm foundation from which they can successfully execute their programs. Successful programs require that teams are aligned, have a common vision of success, and know how success will be measured. This nine-step process can be used to accelerate the desired outcomes by aligning teams, piloting new processes prior to broader implementation and creating a set of metrics by which to measure success. The Nine-Step Process:</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/krista-brown/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/krista-brown/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/krista-brown_hu_fb5a6afb374a0594.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/krista-brown_hu_f611f49f1b3422d2.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/krista-brown_hu_f92f7d4f92c94076.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/krista-brown_hu_2e8a9464d8af1faa.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Krista Brown" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/krista-brown.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Krista Brown has a proven record of identifying and removing obstacles with her transparent leadership style and relationship-building background. With a career focused on technology companies, she has created 75+ high-margin service offerings. She was the SVP who led the strategic management of a solution portfolio, delivering $300 million in annual global sales revenue. She has also led the creation of a Portfolio Management organization for a large healthcare insurer. Intended to eliminate low-value activities and optimize capacity, the project saved $26M in savings by eliminating low-value work within its first six months.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/learning-loops-and-customer-satisfaction/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/learning-loops-and-customer-satisfaction/<p>Does your organization measure customer satisfaction? If so, how do you use those measures to <em>improve</em> customer satisfaction?</p> <p>A <strong>learning loop</strong> is a cyclic process of experimentation that fosters learning and continuous improvement of some outcome. The term was originally coined by Chris Argyris<sup id="fnref:1"><a href="#fn:1" class="footnote-ref" role="doc-noteref">1</a></sup>, who made the analogy to a thermostat maintaining the temperature in a room. But this doesn&rsquo;t feel right because <strong>thermostats don&rsquo;t learn</strong>. They don&rsquo;t ask &ldquo;why?&rdquo; or adjust strategy. They are in a feedback control loop without any analysis of cause and effect. In a &ldquo;true&rdquo; learning loop (which Argyris called &ldquo;Double Loop Learning&rdquo;) the learning happens when the team examines those things that didn&rsquo;t go the way they expected them to, and asks &ldquo;why did this happen?&rdquo; If they ask &ldquo;why&rdquo; enough times, they develop root cause hypotheses that they can test by further development and experimentation.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/lite-and-precise-schedule-estimating-matrices/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/lite-and-precise-schedule-estimating-matrices/<p>The Lite Schedule Estimating Matrix is a parametric tool that helps estimate the time to complete a given phase of a project. It creates a rough estimate using past experience combined with the critical few key drivers. The Precise Schedule Estimating Matrix is a tool that takes a relative complexity rating (1-5) for key design blocks and estimates time-to-market and the person months required for key functions.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lite2BSchedule2BEstimation2BMatrix_hu_6e6358bc8eb972e1.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lite2BSchedule2BEstimation2BMatrix_hu_6041795d72668c1.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lite2BSchedule2BEstimation2BMatrix_hu_f5900beabcd00882.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lite2BSchedule2BEstimation2BMatrix_hu_e27a67d359841966.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Lite and Precise Schedule Estimating Matrices" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Lite2BSchedule2BEstimation2BMatrix.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/blog/make-meetings-the-best-use-of-your-time-instead-of-a-waste-of-your-time/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/blog/make-meetings-the-best-use-of-your-time-instead-of-a-waste-of-your-time/<p>We’ve all experienced those mind-numbing meetings –there are a lot of people in the room, and many issues to resolve – but at the end of the meeting, little has been accomplished – what a waste of time and energy! Much as been written about the mechanics of running effective meetings – having an agenda, getting the right people in the room, focusing on agreements and decisions. And while these mechanics are necessary, they are not sufficient. One of the biggest factors driving inefficient meetings is organizational politics. They exist in almost every organization – and can bring a well-organized meeting to its knees. Politics is the elephant in the middle of the room – we all know it is there, but little or nothing is done proactively to ensure it doesn’t derail the outcome(s) you need from your meeting.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke/<p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke_hu_6a7b3b8e56e285f8.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke_hu_f79664e29df5ba1e.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke_hu_937b7c204e12d769.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke_hu_ce841ace2ffe4277.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Marcus Clarke" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <p>Marcus has worked in B2B and B2C marketing and research for over a decade. While being a T-shaped marketer, Marcus specializes in helping brands grow their organic presence online by assisting companies to find their audience through content and relationships.</p> <div class="no-prose"> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/contact/" data-cta="cta-contact" class="no-underline inline-flex items-center px-4 py-2 bg-brand-red text-white font-sora text-sm font-medium rounded-md hover:bg-brand-red-darker transition-colors duration-200 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-brand-red focus:ring-offset-2">Contact Us</a> </div>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/out-of-bounds-check/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/out-of-bounds-check/<p>The Out-of-Bounds (OOB) Check realigns teams after a project has gone out of scope. It provides the team with a process to conduct a root cause analysis, evaluate alternatives, and recommend a remedy to decision makers. Setting boundary conditions, at the time of project approval, that reflect the critical elements of a project (typically cost, schedule, features, or quality), creates a “contract” between management and project teams. When teams cross those boundaries the OOB Check is the mechanism to realign them around new plan of record. Boundary Conditions Diagram</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-derivative-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-derivative-chart/<p>A Product Derivative Chart is a diagram that depicts a set of related products over time. It shows related products that share underlying design components. It also shows the lifecycle of the platform and its family of derivatives, indicating the relationships between these derivatives, in terms of such factors as cost, performance, quality, or feature density. An important tool for product development strategy. Social Community Matrix</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Platform2BDerivative2BChart_hu_748dd177917b25b8.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Platform2BDerivative2BChart_hu_fc3986e3adb6083e.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Platform2BDerivative2BChart_hu_43f26ac1a1bfa1b8.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Platform2BDerivative2BChart_hu_fe7679e9cca1cf6f.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Derivative Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Platform2BDerivative2BChart.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development-consulting/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development-consulting/<p>TCGen can help you reduce time to market, increase sales, and strengthen your innovation muscle.We bring best practices, adapt them to your company strategy, and focus implementation so you see results quickly.</p> <h2 id="our-impact">Our Impact</h2> <p>Our engagements build quick results and lasting change. We&rsquo;ve helped companies reduce time to market by 55%, scale development capacity 4x, and increase margins by 20%.</p> <div id="testimonials-slider" class="relative max-w-4xl mx-auto"> <div class="overflow-hidden"> <div class="flex transition-transform duration-500 ease-in-out" id="testimonials-track"><blockquote class="w-full flex-shrink-0 text-center px-8"> <p class="text-lg md:text-xl text-gray-700 italic mb-6 leading-relaxed">I highly recommend TCGen to leaders looking to drive significant transformation in a tech company: TCGen blends quick assessment of the situation with a highly personable approach and some clear and actionable recommendations.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-development-strategy-process/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-development-strategy-process/<p>Effective product development strategy connects long-term goals to the daily management of product concepts. A strategic product planning process links together the company’s vision, with the strategic steps required to realize that vision. It then connects the strategy to product and technology roadmaps that then connect to the yearly budgets. Product Portfolio Management Framework</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YearlyStrategicPlanningProcess_new_hu_1bc82768abae650a.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YearlyStrategicPlanningProcess_new_hu_839120ec7781afe.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YearlyStrategicPlanningProcess_new_hu_45eb07226d97ad42.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YearlyStrategicPlanningProcess_new_hu_f3e8036f359ac7ea.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Development Strategy Process" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YearlyStrategicPlanningProcess_new.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>product-strategy-process-tool-0130.pptx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-leadership-coaching/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-leadership-coaching/<!-- TODO: insert client scroll bar --> <p>As a product leader, there’s no shortage of great advice on how to approach your job. But still product management is hard – you’ve got to balance strategy, execution, vision, tactics, leadership, and management. How do you know what to do when? This is where a coach can help.</p> <p>A TCGen product leadership executive coach empowers clients to excel in their roles by providing tailored guidance and strategic insights. We help clients master the art of balancing vision with execution, ensuring that product development aligns with market needs and business goals. Through personalized sessions, we enhance our clients’ skills in areas such as product strategy, stakeholder management, and team leadership. By offering actionable feedback and fostering a growth mindset, we enable clients to make informed decisions, overcome challenges, and drive product success. Whether navigating complex product roadmaps or refining go-to-market strategies, clients gain the confidence and expertise needed to lead their teams and products to new heights.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/<h2 id="how-product-management-consulting-boosts-innovation-and-speed">How Product Management Consulting Boosts Innovation and Speed</h2> <p>Successful products are the lifeblood of a company and your product management strategy is essential to success. But even great companies occasionally go through periods where they are losing ground to competitors, no longer delighting customers, or not producing new products as quickly or efficiently as they need. This is where TCGen can help.</p> <h2 id="when-should-you-hire-a-product-management-consultant">When should you hire a product management consultant?</h2> <p>An experienced product management consultant can bring an outside view and expertise to help you bring your product strategy to the next level and increase product-market fit. You may need to…</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-portfolio-management/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-portfolio-management/<p>TCGen&rsquo;s Product Portfolio Management Consulting helps executives deliver on product development investments.</p> <!-- TODO: insert client scroll bar --> <h2 id="what-is-product-portfolio-management-ppm-consulting">What is Product Portfolio Management (PPM) Consulting?</h2> <p>Product Portfolio Management Consulting services help organizations optimize their project and product management (PPM) processes to meet strategic objectives. These services offer valuable expertise and guidance in various areas, including:</p> <ul> <li>Investments and resource allocation in NPD</li> <li>Scaling from a single product to families of products</li> <li>Product Innovation and transformative products</li> <li>Creating a clear business strategy that links with product roadmaps and budgets</li> <li>Having the right mix of products with the correct pricing</li> <li>Superior product lifecycle management</li> </ul> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Portfolio-Mgt-879x1280_hu_6bc9a46c9684ca78.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Portfolio-Mgt-879x1280_hu_f1e3e9e1adf022d.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Portfolio-Mgt-879x1280_hu_d563ebdd6c90aa54.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Portfolio-Mgt-879x1280_hu_eeffd7aeb867ce18.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Portfolio Management Consulting Frameworks" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Product-Portfolio-Mgt-879x1280.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-portfolio-management-framework/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-portfolio-management-framework/<p>The Product Portfolio Management Framework enables an intentional allocation of R&amp;D and Marketing investments that realizes a risk/reward mix as determined by overall corporate strategy. By diagramming these investments along market and product risk dimensions, the map displays the relative investment in the various types of initiatives. It allows a company to adjust the portfolio according to its product development strategy and risk tolerance. Product Development Strategy Process</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bubble2Bchart2Bexplaining2Bwhere2Bto2Bplay2Band2Bhow2Bto2Bwin_hu_94b39703af605ce7.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bubble2Bchart2Bexplaining2Bwhere2Bto2Bplay2Band2Bhow2Bto2Bwin_hu_4723b8eca777974.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bubble2Bchart2Bexplaining2Bwhere2Bto2Bplay2Band2Bhow2Bto2Bwin_hu_7d9b1d6bab0ae401.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bubble2Bchart2Bexplaining2Bwhere2Bto2Bplay2Band2Bhow2Bto2Bwin_hu_539424e30eb3b292.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Portfolio Management Framework" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bubble2Bchart2Bexplaining2Bwhere2Bto2Bplay2Band2Bhow2Bto2Bwin.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-radar-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-radar-chart/<p>The Product Radar Chart offers a way to evaluate and communicate the factors that go into product and portfolio decisions by graphing the key dimensions of a product or concept against alternatives. It facilitates product assessments and is excellent for comparing the feasibility of competing product ideas. It brings transparency and consensus to a product portfolio decision-making. Comparative Funding Model</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ProductRadarChart_hu_5027527fadc30665.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ProductRadarChart_hu_55844420e3eaf936.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ProductRadarChart_hu_a3231525e4df47dc.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ProductRadarChart_hu_8618da04e384ad49.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Radar Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ProductRadarChart.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-roadmap/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-roadmap/<p>The Product Roadmap is a visual explanation of a company’s strategy. It helps align engineering, marketing, sales, support, and the C-suite toward common product development goals. Product Roadmaps inspire innovation because they highlight the areas that are the strongest product differentiators. They are an important tool for product development strategy.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Product-Development-Roadmap_hu_b48c0b79fcaa1f35.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Product-Development-Roadmap_hu_8033fa8ff08e9121.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Product-Development-Roadmap_hu_9a0036e9e222ff52.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Product-Development-Roadmap_hu_6bd08500a1ef00f0.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Roadmap" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Product-Development-Roadmap.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Roadmap-Strategy-Tool_0822.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-vision-selection-criteria-tool/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-vision-selection-criteria-tool/<p>The Product Vision &amp; Selection Criteria tool offers a way to evaluate the many factors that go into product and portfolio decisions by ensuring their alignment with product development strategy, and ability to meet key goals. Rank product candidates by using the selection criteria (e.g. revenue potential, fit to customer set, competitive benefits, etc.). Product Development Strategy Process</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/product-vision-tool-icon_hu_d23f394a7c18acd9.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/product-vision-tool-icon_hu_9a1d7857b86ea16e.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/product-vision-tool-icon_hu_2e613bc083ef2afd.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/product-vision-tool-icon_hu_4b84878c8e4f9802.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Product Vision &amp; Selection Criteria Tool" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/product-vision-tool-icon.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-efficiency-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-efficiency-chart/<p>The Project Efficiency Chart estimates the amount of time a project team has available to create useful work output, based on the number of projects per person. It provides a visual map of resource overload and exposes overburdened functions. Staffing Ratio Matrix</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2BEfficiency_1_hu_7a3f8d0eca1fa653.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2BEfficiency_1_hu_e63f01ef6dfbd4bd.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2BEfficiency_1_hu_6ad6eba5ea894d60.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2BEfficiency_1_hu_2e3d8ca0e222ec99.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Project Efficiency Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Project2BEfficiency_1.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Project-Efficiency-Chart_v1.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Project-Efficiency-Chart_v1.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Project-Efficiency-Chart_v1.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Project-Efficiency-Chart_v1.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-escalation-map/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-escalation-map/<p>The Project Escalation Map is a tool that clarifies the boundaries and channels of decision making throughout the product development process. Designed around the concept of a core project team, this map displays a path that allows such teams to make decisions at the individual contributor level as much as possible, empowering teams, and minimizing the time and attention required by senior managers at the project level.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Project-Escalation-Map-01-01-01_hu_fd685944ec569d1e.png" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Project-Escalation-Map-01-01-01_hu_81a673435d21a326.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Project-Escalation-Map-01-01-01_hu_10d4c8732d49b868.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Project-Escalation-Map-01-01-01_hu_dde756326fbc90af.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Project Escalation Map" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Project-Escalation-Map-01-01-01.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-retrospective-methodology/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-retrospective-methodology/<p>This overview of the TCGen methodology is utilized for Project Retrospectives and Process Reviews. These are conducted as a series of workshops that help a team constructively build a prioritized consensus around a few high-value improvements to pursue. Learn more about Project Retrospective Methodology at TCGen’s Knowledge Base</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/images/tools-from-book/project-retrospective-methodology.png" alt="Project Retrospective Methodology"></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Project-Retrospective-Template.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Project-Retrospective-Template.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Project-Retrospective-Template.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Project-Retrospective-Template.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/quality-time-scope-in-the-right-order/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/quality-time-scope-in-the-right-order/<p>Have you made a clear decision about how to order Quality, Time, and Scope in your organization? If not, you may not be getting the results you want.</p> <p>Product development is a process of discovery. It is not possible to know in advance with certainty what capabilities are essential to adoption or market success. There are many sources of uncertainty: the market is developing; things don’t work as we expect them to; technology has unforeseen limits; people leave and are replaced, taking precious know-how with them. As a result, assuming you can make the perfect plan and execute it when developing product leads to disappointment.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/requirements-management-matrix/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/requirements-management-matrix/<p>The Requirements Management Matrix applies best practices from Agile development. This light weight tool helps ensure that your key product requirements are well-defined and understood. Also included is a Burn Down Chart that allows you to track product requirements definition.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Requirements2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_f314306ba8db78af.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Requirements2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_e188fbc9bceb9960.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Requirements2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_4c76cec6557911fc.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Requirements2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_58e0c8c65cd7af8b.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Requirements Management Matrix" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Requirements2BManagement2BMatrix.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Requirements-Management-Matrix.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Requirements-Management-Matrix.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Requirements-Management-Matrix.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Requirements-Management-Matrix.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/risk-management-matrix/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/risk-management-matrix/<p>The Risk Management Matrix is an elegant way to anticipate, manage, and mitigate product development risks. The matrix is a table that prompts the team to identify risks, to rate their potential impact, and to create action plans to mitigate them.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Risk2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_b602d570682130e9.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Risk2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_1c39191dc819744d.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Risk2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_51fd8649acb2757b.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Risk2BManagement2BMatrix_hu_8528666a08c43557.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Risk Management Matrix" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Risk2BManagement2BMatrix.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Risk-Management-Matrix.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Risk-Management-Matrix.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Risk-Management-Matrix.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Risk-Management-Matrix.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/root-cause-diagram/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/root-cause-diagram/<p>The Root Cause Diagram is a framework that helps you discover the ultimate cause of any outcome. Also known as the Fishbone or Ishikawa diagram, it is a graphical representation of an evidence-based method where individuals or groups discover the root causes that led to a specific outcome in a product development team.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RootCauseDiagram_hu_1e687384e5f0537a.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RootCauseDiagram_hu_358a50a47498112e.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RootCauseDiagram_hu_81001567cdb76fbd.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RootCauseDiagram_hu_b4f5d2f96f12e0de.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Root Cause Diagram" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RootCauseDiagram.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Root-Cause-Diagram.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/schedule-prediction-accuracy-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/schedule-prediction-accuracy-chart/<p>The Schedule Prediction Accuracy Chart provides an early warning when a project fails to hit the schedule. This tool allows project teams to anticipate problems before they occur, and to intervene before projects get behind. Deliverable Hit Rate Chart</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPAExplained_hu_7e3cba1c0d51ac25.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPAExplained_hu_7e748d294e38fce6.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPAExplained_hu_1175094c0cac06cb.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPAExplained_hu_1f9f1bc4e130e0ec.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Schedule Prediction Accuracy Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPAExplained.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Schedule-Prediction-Accuracy.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Schedule-Prediction-Accuracy.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Schedule-Prediction-Accuracy.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Schedule-Prediction-Accuracy.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/sitemap/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/sitemap/<p>Browse our complete collection of product development resources, consulting services, and insights organized by category.</p> <h2>About</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/brad-taylor/">Brad Taylor - TCGen Principal</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/brion-roberto/">Brion Roberto - TCGen Principal</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/david-vermette/">David Vermette - Research &amp; Analysis</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/jeanne-bradford/">Jeanne Bradford - TCGen Principal</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/john-carter/">John Carter - TCGen Founder</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/john-sadler/">John Sadler - TCGen Principal</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/krista-brown/">Krista Brown - Portfolio Management</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/marcus-clarke/">Marcus Clarke - Marketing &amp; Research</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/about-tcgen/nolan-myers/">Nolan Myers - TCGen Owner and Principal</a></li> </ul> <h2>Agile Management</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-ceremonies/">4 Agile Ceremonies Every Project Manager Should Know</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-estimation-techniques/">5 Agile Estimation Techniques For Your Projects</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-change-management/">A Complete Guide to Agile Change Management</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-books/">Agile Books: Explore the 14 Must-Read Books</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-burndown-graphs/">Agile Burndown Graphs</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-construction/">Agile Construction Management: Applying Agile Practices to the Construction Industry</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-documentation/">Agile Documentation: Definition, Importance, Process, and Best Practices</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/scaled-agile-consulting/">Agile Intelligence Consulting</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/learning/">Agile Leadership</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-roles/">Agile Roles &amp; Responsibilities: A Guide to Creating Agile Teams</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-transformation/">Agile Transformation</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-design-thinking/">Agile VS Design Thinking: Similarities, Differences, and Using Them Together</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-scrum/">Agile VS Scrum: Similarities and Differences</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-vs-waterfall-vs-scrum/">Agile vs. Waterfall vs. Scrum: Similarities and Differences</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-workflow/">Agile Workflow 101: What it is and How it Works</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-performance/">Complete Guide to Agile Performance Management: Definition, Benefits, and How to Implement It</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-tools/agilent-doubled-its-productivity/">How Agilent&#39;s Global Software Team Doubled its Productivity</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/product-development/">Product Development [Explainer] Definition and Examples | 2024</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-product-development-roadmap/">Product Development Roadmap: Tips For Making Agile Roadmaps</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/spotify-agile-model/">Spotify Agile Model: What it is and How it Works</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-metrics/">The Top 10 Agile Metrics You Need to be Aware of in 2025</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/waterfall-vs-agile/">Waterfall vs Agile - 9 Ways to Get the Best of Both | TCGen</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-planning/">What is Agile Planning? Why is it Important for Your Business</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-project-management/">What is Agile Project Management? A Basic Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-roles-and-responsibilities-matrix/">What is an Agile Roles and Responsibilities Matrix? A Step-by-Step Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/agile-work-environment/">What is an Agile Work Environment</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/refactoring-in-agile/">What is Refactoring in Agile? 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Roadmaps</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/program-managers-linchpin-of-product-development-agility/">Program Managers: Linchpin of Product Development Agility</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/getting-more-done-by-doing-less-11/">Project Efficiency: Getting More Done by Doing Less</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/risk-management-matrix-anticipating-and-mitigating-risk/">Risk Management Matrix: Anticipating and Mitigating Risk</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/case-study-unlocking-speed-through-integration/">Seagull Software: Unlocking Speed, Integration, and &#34;Better Together&#34;</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/seven-product-development-process-lessons-from-boses-blockbusters/">Seven Product Development Process Lessons from BOSE’s Blockbusters</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/social-community-matrix-getting-the-most-out-of-social-communities/">Social Community Matrix: Getting the Most Out of Social Communities</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/software-product-management-staffing-ratios/">Software Product Management – Staffing Ratios</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/sprints-demos-twin-beacons-accountability/">Sprints and Demos: Twin Beacons of Accountability</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/staffing-ratio-matrix-optimizing-workloads-across-functions/">Staffing Ratio Matrix: Optimizing Workloads Across Functions</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/what-to-improve-your-results-then-stop-measuring-them/">Stop Measuring Results: Start Measuring Predictive Indicators First</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/what-is-technology-roadmap/">Technology Roadmaps: Anticipating Future Technology Trends</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/the-function-phase-matrix-clarifying-roles-and-responsibilities/">The Function Phase Matrix: Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/the-product-radar-chart-making-smart-product-tradeoffs/">The Product Radar Chart: Making Smart Product Tradeoffs</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/sprint-planning-scorecard-increases-project-predictability/">The Sprint Planning Scorecard Increases Project Predictability</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/tips-for-leading-a-globally-distributed-group/">Tips For Leading a Globally Distributed Group</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/unclear-escalation-paths-can-kill-projects/">Unclear Escalation Paths Can Kill Projects</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/visualizing-the-resource-gaps/">Visualizing the Resource Gaps in Product Development Projects</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/visualizing-the-unexpected/">Visualizing the Unexpected</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-benchmarking-often-fails-to-deliver-results/">Why Benchmarking Often Fails to Deliver Results</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/why-retrospectives-are-a-waste-of-time/">Why Retrospectives are a Waste of Time</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/blog/company-investing-enough-engineering-productivity-know/">Your Company Is Not Investing Enough in Engineering Productivity, And You Know It!</a></li> </ul> <h2>Collections</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-tools/">Agile Tools</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/high-performance-teams-tools/">High Performance Teams Tools</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/media/">Media</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/process-improvement-tools/">Process Improvement Tools</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition/">Product Definition</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-definition-tools/">Product Definition Tools</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/metrics/">Product Development Metrics</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-strategy-and-portfolio-tools/">Product Strategy and Portfolio Tools</a></li> </ul> <h2>Consulting Services Pages</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile/consulting/">Agile Consulting Services | Transformation, Scale &amp; Speed</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/ai-transformation-consulting/">AI Transformation Consulting</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/medical-device-product-development-consulting-services/">Medical Device Product Development Consulting Services &amp; Expertise | TCGen</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development-consulting/">Product Development Consulting Services</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-leadership-coaching/">Product Leadership Coaching</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting-newer-better-faster-test/">Product Management Consulting | Newer Better Faster</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management-consulting/">Product Management Consulting Services</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-portfolio-management/">Product Portfolio Management Consulting</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-strategy-consulting/">Product Strategy Consulting</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management-consulting/">Program Management Consulting</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/rd-consulting-services/">R&amp;D Consulting Services &amp; Expertise | TCGen</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/agile-consulting-2/">Scaled Agile Consulting</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/startup-founder-coaching/">Startup Founder Coaching</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/project-management-consulting/">What is Project Management Consulting?</a></li> </ul> <h2>Insights</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/most-innovative-us-states-ranked/">6 most Innovative U.S. States in 2024: What Matters?</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/design-thinking/">Guide to Design Thinking: Design Thinking is About Product Development</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/new-product-introduction/">NPI - New Product Introduction | 2023 Definitive Guide | TCGen</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/time-to-market/">Time To Market (TTM): What it is &amp; Why It&#39;s Important</a></li> </ul> <h2>Product Development</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-kpis/">9 Essential Product Development KPIs to Drive Business Growth</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/engineering-product-development/">A Brief Guide to Engineering Product Development</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/cosmetic-product-development/">Cosmetic Product Development: 4 Simple Steps to Launch Your Successful Beauty Product</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/digital-product-development/">Digital Product Development Process: A Complete Breakdown</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/fashion-product-development/">Fashion Product Development: A Complete Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/food-product-development/">How to Develop a Successful Food Product in 2023 (Complete Process &#43; Steps)</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/lean-product-development/">Lean Product Development: An Introductory Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/market-development-vs-product-development/">Market Development VS Product Development: Definition &amp; Key Differences</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/medical-product-development/">Medical Product Development: Creating a Successful Medical Device</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/new-product-development-creating-great-products-tcgen-new/">New Product Development | Creating Great Products | TCGen (new)</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/process/">New Product Development Process</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/pharmaceutical-product-development/">Pharmaceutical Product Development All You Need to Know</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-life-cycle/">Product Development Life Cycle: The 4 Stages Explained</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics/">Product Development Metrics</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/metrics-tools/">Product Development Metrics Tools</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-process-tools/">Product Development Process Tools</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-development-strategy/">Product Development Strategy</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/product-innovation-management/">Product Innovation Management (What You Need to Know)</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/schedule-prediction-accuracy-anticipating-problems-to-deliver-on-time/">Schedule Prediction Accuracy - Anticipating Problems to Deliver On Time</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/software-product-development/">Software Product Development: Definition, Importance, and Complete Process</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/the-best-new-product-development-process-definitive-guide-new/">The Best New Product Development Process [Definitive Guide] (new)</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/electronic-product-development/">The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Product Development</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/ux-product-design/">The UX-Product Development Overlap: What Are Their Roles And How They Function Together</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/stage-gate-process/">What is the Stage-Gate Process? Pros and Cons</a></li> </ul> <h2>Product Management</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-roadmap/">A Complete Guide to Product Management Roadmaps</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/agile-product-management/">A Comprehensive Guide to Agile Product Management</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/consulting-deliverables/">Consulting Deliverables: A Comprehensive Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-data/">Data Product Management: What it is and Why it’s Important</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/tech-product-management/">Everything You Need to Know About Technology Product Management</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-roadmap/">How to Create a Product Roadmap: A Comprehensive Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/okrs-product-management/">How to Use OKRs in Product Management</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/jump-starting-teams/">Jump Starting Teams</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/new-product-consulting/">New Product Consulting: Maximizing Your Product&#39;s Potential</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/platform-product-management/">Platform Product Management: The Ultimate Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-discovery-techniques/">Product Discovery Techniques: Importance and Application | TCGen</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/complete-guide-to-product-management-frameworks/">Product Management Frameworks: A Complete Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-in-the-financial-services/">Product Management in the Financial Services: Best Practices and Strategies</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-leadership/">Product Management Leadership (Everything You Need to Know)</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-methodology/">Product Management Methodology: A Comprehensive Guide</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-performance-metrics/">Product Management Performance Metrics</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-google/">Product Management: What Does It Look Like at Google?</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-manager-vs-product-owner/">Product Manager vs Product Owner: Understanding the Key Differences</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-mindset/">Product Mindset | Improve Customer Outcomes</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-offering/">Product Offering: How to Create an Effective Strategy</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-owner-vs-product-manager/">Product Owner vs Product Manager</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-portfolio-investment-map-tying-product-strategy-to-execution/">Product Portfolio Investment Map: Tying Product Strategy to Execution</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-portfolio-map/">Product Portfolio Map for Investment: Tying Product Strategy to Execution</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-taxonomy-how-it-helps-it-create-stakeholder-value/">Product Taxonomy: How it Helps IT Create Stakeholder Value</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/program-management-vs-product-management/">Program Management vs. Product Management</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/strategic-product-management/">Strategic Product Management: The Key to Business Success</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-podcasts/">The 10 Best Product Management Podcasts in 2025</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/best-product-management-book/">The 15 Best Product Management Books in 2025</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-documentation/">The Importance of Product Management Documentation for Product Development</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-process/">The Product Management Process Explained</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/product-management/product-management-vs-product-development/">What is the difference between product management and product development?</a></li> </ul> <h2>Program Management</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/program-management/cross-functional-team/">Cross Functional Team Example: 5 Expert Tips for Success 2025</a></li> </ul> <h2>Project Management</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/project-management/risk-management/">How to Minimize Risk: 3 Steps for Risk Management</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tools</h2> <ul> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/attitude-influence-diagram/">Attitude Influence Diagram</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/boundary-conditions-diagram/">Boundary Conditions Diagram</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/change-impact-matrix/">Change Impact Matrix</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/circle-dot-chart/">Circle Dot Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/comparative-funding-model/">Comparative Funding Model</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/cross-functional-team-model/">Cross Functional Team Model</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/deliverable-hit-rate-chart/">Deliverable Hit Rate Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/four-fields-map/">Four-Fields Map</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/function-phase-matrix/">Function Phase Matrix</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/innovate-products-faster/">Innovate Products Faster</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/nine-step-initiative-plan/">Jump Starting Teams</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/lite-and-precise-schedule-estimating-matrices/">Lite and Precise Schedule Estimating Matrices</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/out-of-bounds-check/">Out-of-Bounds Check</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-derivative-chart/">Product Derivative Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-development-strategy-process/">Product Development Strategy Process</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-portfolio-management-framework/">Product Portfolio Management Framework</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-radar-chart/">Product Radar Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-roadmap/">Product Roadmap</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/product-vision-selection-criteria-tool/">Product Vision &amp; Selection Criteria Tool</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-efficiency-chart/">Project Efficiency Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-escalation-map/">Project Escalation Map</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/project-retrospective-methodology/">Project Retrospective Methodology</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/requirements-management-matrix/">Requirements Management Matrix</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/risk-management-matrix/">Risk Management Matrix</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/root-cause-diagram/">Root Cause Diagram</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/schedule-prediction-accuracy-chart/">Schedule Prediction Accuracy Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-community-matrix/">Social Community Matrix</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-innovation-maturity-scorecard/">Social Innovation Maturity Scorecard</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-innovation-readiness-scorecard/">Social Innovation Readiness Scorecard</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/staffing-ratio-matrix/">Staffing Ratio Matrix</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/task-burn-down-chart/">Task Burn Down Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/team-pert-chart/">Team PERT Chart</a></li> <li class="my-2"><a href="https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/technology-roadmap/">Technology Roadmap</a></li> </ul>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-community-matrix/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-community-matrix/<p>Companies are using social solutions to help accelerate innovation and product development by creating a managed virtual community. In these communities users share ideas, build on them through collaboration, and escalate the best recommendations to the leadership team. The Social Community Matrix is a tool that helps you construct effective communities that lead to innovative solutions from customers.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BCommunity2BMatrix_hu_f7d1f1845f70f0a9.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BCommunity2BMatrix_hu_d8cf32056b391433.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BCommunity2BMatrix_hu_af24b81080e9941e.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BCommunity2BMatrix_hu_5a80950250ca833b.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Social Community Matrix" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BCommunity2BMatrix.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-innovation-maturity-scorecard/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-innovation-maturity-scorecard/<p>Social Innovation enables organizations to tap the wisdom of the crowd, both inside and outside of your company. The Social Innovation Maturity Scorecard helps determine your organization’s maturity level relative to best practices in crowdsourcing innovation.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BMaturity2BScorecard_hu_8c87c17194a4556a.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BMaturity2BScorecard_hu_bee8847b0642bb53.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BMaturity2BScorecard_hu_77f3ee9b9e04e040.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BMaturity2BScorecard_hu_edcaeb8cc3e43ad6.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Social Innovation Maturity Scorecard" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BMaturity2BScorecard.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Social-Innovation-Readiness-Scorecard.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Social-Innovation-Readiness-Scorecard.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Social-Innovation-Readiness-Scorecard.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Social-Innovation-Readiness-Scorecard.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-innovation-readiness-scorecard/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/social-innovation-readiness-scorecard/<p>The Social Innovation Readiness Scorecard is a decision-making tool that provides executives and teams with an objective view of their organization’s capability to implement social solutions for product innovation. The scorecard helps you determine whether or not your organization is prepared to launch a social community by asking critical questions in ten areas.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BReadiness2BScorecard_hu_2013b865048bdd1c.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BReadiness2BScorecard_hu_f53f131d14fe45ed.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BReadiness2BScorecard_hu_b41eb1409c789072.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BReadiness2BScorecard_hu_5ce2db8808a748be.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Social Innovation Readiness Scorecard" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Social2BInnovation2BReadiness2BScorecard.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Social-Innovation-Readiness-Scorecard.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/staffing-ratio-matrix/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/staffing-ratio-matrix/<p>The Staffing Ratio Matrix identifies overloaded individual contributors and functional bottlenecks. It indicates the relative number of projects per function, enabling better resource allocation, faster new product development projects, and high performance teams. Schedule Prediction Accuracy Chart</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Staffing2BRatio2BMatrix_hu_7adad3cc11964748.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Staffing2BRatio2BMatrix_hu_4c5e9d829b7f6ed1.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Staffing2BRatio2BMatrix_hu_ec792394fb4ebb05.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Staffing2BRatio2BMatrix_hu_af029d35f723ee42.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Staffing Ratio Matrix" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Staffing2BRatio2BMatrix.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Staffing-Ratio-Matrix.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p> <a href="https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Staffing-Ratio-Matrix.xlsx" data-cta="tool-download" data-cta-label="Staffing-Ratio-Matrix.xlsx" class="btn btn-primary" download> <i class="fas fa-download"></i> Download Staffing-Ratio-Matrix.xlsx </a> <p class="download-note"> <small>File will download directly to your device. No registration required.</small> </p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/task-burn-down-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/task-burn-down-chart/<p>Software development has migrated to some degree from the waterfall model, where there is a clear handoff from one stage to the next, to agile development, where iteration of builds is the dominant paradigm. In agile development, the team goes through the whole requirements (build/integrate/test cycle) with the goal of solving the greatest number of user stories or requirements per build. Tracking the number of user stories completed per build as well as displaying them in a graphical format in the team workspace is an emerging practice that combines many best practices in one easy-to-use system. Before defining the burndown graph, we should first describe the agile process. The essence of agile development is turning user stories into code and testing them with a proxy for the customer. Each cycle is called a sprint, with the goal of doing as many use cases (or user stories) as possible in each sprint. As each sprint is completed, a number of user stories are addressed and the team plans the next sprint to make further progress. At the end of each day, the number of use cases accepted by the customer representative on the team is subtracted from the total, and thus the team can see how rapidly they burned down the use cases during the sprint. The team would list the number of use cases over a given sprint period, which indicates the number of use cases per week. This along with the number of sprints would yield the development duration. In order to estimate the length of a given development effort, the project manager would divide the number of user stories by the number of sprints and multiply that by the duration of the sprints. However, things change. The team can knock off more (or fewer) user stories per sprint. The team can have the user stories change, so there are more (or less) to code. This tool allows the team to dynamically estimate the completion date based on the extrapolation of real project data.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/search/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/search/<p>Search for relevant articles here.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/team-pert-chart/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/team-pert-chart/<p>The Team PERT Chart helps teams get on the same page, improve communications, and reduce time to market. It breaks projects down into tasks, shows the dependencies of one work stream on another, and provides real estimates, created by the people who actually perform the tasks.</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Team2BPert2BCharts_hu_ff549c6b7fc869ff.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Team2BPert2BCharts_hu_3bd1b3c54fc2a122.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Team2BPert2BCharts_hu_f7c7eadf558e0fda.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Team2BPert2BCharts_hu_db637cc7e0f3cb19.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Team PERT Chart" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Team2BPert2BCharts.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Team-PERT-Chart.pptx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/technology-roadmap/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/tools-from-book/technology-roadmap/<p>Technology Roadmaps help teams determine which technologies to incorporate into a given product. They help anticipate risks by enabling a degree of visibility into the future. They reveal potential areas of exposure, as well as untapped competitive advantage. Roadmaps are one facet of a larger strategic planning process for innovation. Product Vision &amp; Selection Criteria Tool</p> <p><img src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TechnologyRoadmap_newgraphic_hu_48dd2d8861f87359.jpg" srcset="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TechnologyRoadmap_newgraphic_hu_1f524690246ee810.webp 640w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TechnologyRoadmap_newgraphic_hu_617d4a47548f47ee.webp 1280w, https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TechnologyRoadmap_newgraphic_hu_76614f351cd7d5d6.webp 2560w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 800px, 100vw" alt="Technology Roadmap" data-original-src="https://www.tcgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TechnologyRoadmap_newgraphic.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" ></p> <div class="tool-download-cta"> <h2>Download This Tool</h2> <p>Get the <strong>Technology-Roadmap-Tool_0129.xlsx</strong> file to start using this tool immediately.</p>https://www.tcgen.com/contact/thank-you/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/contact/thank-you/<p>Thank you for your interest. We&rsquo;ll be in touch shortly!</p>https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/the-best-new-product-development-process-definitive-guide-new/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tcgen.com/product-development/the-best-new-product-development-process-definitive-guide-new/<p><strong>What is a Product Development Process?</strong></p> <p>A Product Development Process refers to the entire range of activities where a company conceptualizes and realizes a new offering. A product concept might originate in the marketplace, or in a lab or workspace, or in the so-called fuzzy front end. Ideas come from customer requirements, too.</p> <p>New product development usually follows a process divided into stages, phases or steps, by which a company conceives a new product idea and then researches, plans, designs, prototypes, and tests it, before launching it into the market.    Below we will discuss the phases of new product development with the help of examples.</p>