What do you do if you want to enhance your knowledge in Product R&D?

to enhance the product knowledge 1. You need to understand the application of the product at customer place , 2. the product behaviour at different situations, varied application helps to understand the limitation of the product 3. compare with competition product.

Books and blogs often provide insights from experienced professionals and thought leaders in the field. They offer a distilled version of their experiences, knowledge, and best practices. You can find a wide range of topics covered in books and blogs, from fundamental principles to advanced techniques. Different authors bring their unique perspectives and approaches to the table. Product R&D is an ever-evolving field, with new methodologies, tools, and insights emerging regularly. Schedule dedicated time for reading regularly. It could be daily, weekly, or whatever frequency works best for you. By incorporating reading into your learning strategy, you can continuously expand your knowledge and skills in product R&D.

Learn what are your customer requirements. Learn the limitations of your manufacturing process. Learn the limitations of your R&D process. This helps you to narrow down what do you need to learn to enhance your knowledge in Product R&D.

Absolutely! Reading books and blogs is an excellent way to expand your knowledge in any field, including product research and development (R&D). Look for books that delve into the technical aspects of product R&D, such as those focusing on specific methodologies, tools, or techniques commonly used in the industry. Explore books written by experts in the field of product development or by practitioners who have successfully brought products to market. These can provide valuable insights and practical advice. Understanding the broader business context is crucial for effective product development. Consider reading books on innovation, entrepreneurship, marketing, and strategic management to gain insights into how product R&D fits.

Two things you need to do.. understand the how the product is manufactured, and how and why it's used. Everything comes along.

As per me look for online platforms that offer courses specifically tailored to product R&D. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and edX often host courses covering various aspects of product development, from ideation to commercialization. Select courses that align with your current knowledge level and learning goals. Start with foundational courses if you're new to the field, then progress to more advanced topics as you build expertise. Product R&D is an evolving field, with new technologies, methodologies, and best practices constantly emerging. Stay updated by periodically enrolling in advanced courses or attending webinars and workshops.

In my opinion, These structured and interactive learning opportunities enable you to acquire new skills, refine existing ones, and validate your expertise in the field. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, edX, and Skillshare offer a diverse range of online courses and certifications tailored to product research and development. Popular options include courses such as Product Design by Google, Product Management by UC Berkeley, and Product Strategy by Northwestern University. By investing in online learning, you can stay abreast of industry trends, expand your skill set, and enhance your effectiveness in product research and development practices.

Certainly! Look for online forums, discussion boards, and professional networking platforms where product R&D professionals gather to exchange ideas, ask questions, and share insights. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups, Reddit communities, and specialized forums related to product development can be excellent resources for connecting with like-minded individuals. Keep an eye out for webinars, virtual conferences, and workshops focused on product R&D topics. Many professional associations, industry organizations, and meetup groups host virtual meetups and networking events for professionals involved in product development. Consider contributing articles, blog posts, or presentations to relevant online platforms and communities.

It is indeed an excellent way. Choose a project that aligns with your interests, goals, and skill level in product R&D. It could be a personal project to explore a specific aspect. Define clear objectives and goals for your project, outlining what you aim to achieve and the specific skills or knowledge you want to develop. If possible, collaborate with peers, mentors, or professionals in the field to gain additional perspectives and expertise. By actively working on personal or professional projects, you can gain hands-on experience, deepen your understanding of product R&D concepts, and build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your capabilities to potential employers or collaborators.

Participar en Ferias de Negocios o Trade Shows ayuda mucho ya que puede uno ver tendencias de mercado y conocer los desarrollos que hay en otros lados del mundo y otros mercados. Tener los ojos abiertos tanto para proyectos que uno ha tenido la idea de desarrollar en lo que uno ve, lee y visita pero sobre todo pone en práctica.

As a Product Manager, our scope of work areas are vast. We need to be practically everywhere, the 5 key pillars comprises of Device Hardware, Device Software, Cloud Services, Cloud Platforms and Data Analytics or assesment platform. Since the inseption I have been more focussed towards the software end (Data Analytics), however recently due to intresting projects I was fortunate to learn and deep-down on the hardware area as well. It is very fortunate when your organization has multiple business verticals and there is no better knowledge than the on-field knowledge you gain with the help of the field experts. Try to be involved in projects of your interest area and learn either by being a shadow learner or a eager contributor.

I understand first-hand the complexities of bringing a product to market. I ideated and developed my own device for which I received a non-provisional utility patent. The device is consumer and complex, so I needed multiple engineers, such as EE, ME, FW, SW, ID etc. This comes at a cost. Using off-the-shelf components, compute such as Rasberry Pi, Arduino etc. does speed up time and reduces cost. If you are an engineer, with a diverse skillset, you may be able to get this Proof of Concept done by yourself, but for the other 99%, you need to find local engineers that believe in your vision. Engineers are also a good sounding board to learn if your idea is feasible. Ask, can this be made at a price that the market is willing to pay for?

Absolutely! Engage with colleagues and peers who are also involved in product R&D. Share your work, ideas, and challenges with them, and solicit constructive feedback. A coach can provide personalized guidance, help you set meaningful goals, and support you in developing strategies to overcome challenges and maximize your potential in product R&D. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and seminars to expand your professional network and learn from others' experiences and best practices. Reflective practice fosters self-awareness and continuous improvement in your professional journey. This proactive approach to learning and development enables you to overcome challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve your goals in the field.

Product R&D thrives at the "creative collision" of customer needs, business requirements, and technological possibilities. Your knowledge enhancement for product R&D should include understanding your company's core competencies, your company's business model, and the spoken and unspoken needs of your customer. Utilize design thinking to deeply grasp customer insights and align them with your business's value proposition. This approach reveals gaps that R&D can address, focusing efforts on meaningful innovation. Before entering the lab, ensure clarity on consumer insights, the business's desired claims, and how R&D can meet these expectations while improving value creation for the company.

Read and become familiar with product datasheets, manuals, and brochures. There should not only be pure performance specs listed, but also information directly related to the customer's experience, e.g., product operation procedure and troubleshooting.

I think there is one major section that is missing... and it should be the first section. Mindset! A good R&D person has the mindset of LEARNING. They approach the world through the lens of trying new things, collecting data, analyzing it and coming up with the next action (like a scientist...the scientific process is well structured and repeatable). From Interviewing customers, to trying things in the lab - the focus in R&D... The mindset is to learn what to do next and why we are doing it. If you have the wrong mindset... none of the tactical things matter. Mindset should be #1 priority. Always start with the right mindset.