Framework for the Implementation of Continuous Innovation for Technical Products

Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), pp. 1–11

Abstract

In order to face current challenges of dynamic market environments, customer-specific requirements and shorter development cycles, manufacturing companies need to focus on new innovation approaches like continuous innovation (CI). Thereby, the approach CI focuses on the ability of a company to continuously improve or renew products or features during the product usage phase. Although, manufacturing companies are aware of the opportunities to ensure their own competitiveness through CI, the implementation is not successful. In particular, there is a lack of a process model that illustrates the relevant aspects in the dimensions business models, processes and products, which are required for the realization of continuous innovations. This paper attempts to close this gap by introducing a framework for the implementation of CI for technical products in the usage phase. The framework consists of 12 process steps and respective implementation activities in order to realize CI. Furthermore, influencing factors on the implementation process are identified and enable the transformation of the generic framework into a company specific implementation guide. Thus, the framework supports manufacturing companies in the operative realization and implementation of continuous innovation.

Authors 6

1. Michael Riesener Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL),Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Maximilian Kühn Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL),Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Stefan Perau Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL),Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Thilo Walter Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL),Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

5. Alexander Keuper Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL),Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

6. Guenther Schuh Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL),Aachen,Germany

   Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Aachen, Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany