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Scope of inquiry for second study project takes shape

It will focus on how successful organizations translate broad strategies into specific actions--at the tactical level--that are accurate interpretations, or derivatives, of the strategy's intent.

 This is not a study about strategy formulation (a subject already extensively covered). Rather, we'll focus on the mechanisms that successful organizations use to execute a strategy so that a product portfolio, its supporting programs, and resources are aligned with those strategic goals.

Converging on framework for second study project

During the year (2008) we've been diverging and evolving our thinking about the second study project. Recently, we've starting to converge on a structure for the project.

Our first Best Practice Study focused on Fast-Time-To-Market (FTTM); during our "interim" consulting work with clients we've learned a great deal. This discovery process led us to the major variables that drove increased revenues/profits--of which FTTM is only a part.

Root causes of poor RTTM performance

Our research team is developing the framework for our second best practice study. The first study was initiated 17 years ago and has been continually added to though hundreds of consulting engagements around the world during this time frame.

Our focus, with this research, were the factors that drove fast development of technology products, and those that also exceeded customer expectations (i.e. right-products at the right-time).

We were looking at how to get FTTM (fast-time-to-market) results on strategic products, which inevitably meant that other products in the portfolio suffered (i.e. robbed Peter to pay Paul).