Theoretical framework for managing the front end of innovation under uncertainty

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that the fuzzy front-end of product development should not be managed with a one-size-fits-all standard process. Instead, projects with different market and technical uncertainties should be managed with one of five different processes (linear, recursive, evolving, selectionism, trial-and-error). Based on a review of the literature, the paper develops a theoretical framework for frontend management which provides the foundation for ongoing empirical research.

One Size Does Not Fit All — Understanding the Front-End and Back-End of Business Model Innovation

“…New product development literature may shed some light on diverse approaches for frontand back-end innovation. Sperry and Jetter (2009) propose that a front-end innovation process requires room for iterations, while a back-end innovation process might be better defined and thus processes can be linear. The authors depict five different processes that can be applied:…”

Product–firm compatibility in new product development in technology companies

“…No specific relationships for product-firm compatibility variables were mentioned in this study, however. The finding in the Yap and Souder study, however, is important because the significant relationships mentioned above hold also under all market and technical uncertainty conditions, which are characteristic to high-technology markets (Mohr, 2001;Sperry & Jetter, 2009), and might not always be controllable in highly turbulent conditions (Droge, Calantone, & Harmancioglu, 2008). Finally a recent study by Harmancioglu, Droge, and Calantone (2009) studied the roles of strategic fit of the NPD venture to existing resources, and discovered that marketing fit and technology fit were positively related to profitability and the new product advantage.…”

A Guide to Deal With Uncertainties in Software Project Management

“…From the 27 studies analyzed, 44 quote was found. In the studies surveyed there is not a single label to the sources, it is common in some articles to speak from a particular source that is a single uncertainty, but classified differently, for example: market source [21], [17], [25], [22], [31], [32], external source [33] and novel source [11], [2] represent a single source of uncertainty.…”

“…On the other hand, if they are not well understood it is necessary to guide the project to the desired goal. The market uncertainty comprehends client, suppliers, partners and current market situation [11], [13], [21], [17], [25], [22], [2], [29], [31], [32], [33].…”

“…The technological uncertainty causes, among other things, an impact in the project, in the communication, in the freezing time of the plan and the number of planning cycles. It can also affect the technical expertise that the project manager and their team members need to have [10], [11], [13], [16], [17], [21], [22], [25], [31], [32].…”