Struggling to bridge the gap between R&D and manufacturing?

One way to get alignment on process improvement projects that I have found to be extremely effective is to have relevant manufacturing metrics apply to the R&D personnel responsible for the new process/equipment/improvement/whatever. Suddenly, you get the big brains in R&D caring about batch yields for their "amazing improvement" and then tweaking their "amazing improvement" to fit the actual manufacturing environment. People do what they are incentivized to do. Good leaders see the big picture and then create goals that tie directly to the bottom line. Being aware of folks' tendency to myopically focus on their piece of the puzzle to the neglect (or detriment) of the overall picture is the first step.

In my 33+ years in the high-tech industry, I started out in R&D and I wrapped up my career with a 2-year expat assignment in the factory in the same industry. It wasn't until I spent the last 2 years in manufacturing/factory did I finally connected the dots. Unfortunately all the learning will be lost forever. In any case, to bridge R&D and Manufacturing, you really need someone who really know the industry and question the respective groups in-depth. I discovered that even if each and every group between R&D and Manufacturing can deliver their respective goals, the company can fail or not make money or end up with a very long producct cycle. Why is that? I need more character count allowed here.

Bridging the gap between R&D and manufacturing can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it's possible to streamline the process. Start by fostering open communication and collaboration between teams to ensure alignment on goals, timelines, and product specifications. Implement cross-functional teams early in the development cycle to identify potential manufacturing issues and address them before they escalate. Standardizing processes and using data-driven decision-making can help create a smoother transition from concept to production, reducing delays and ensuring quality. Ultimately, strong coordination ensures that innovative ideas are efficiently brought to market.

Effective communication comes from direct experience within the company experience (i.e, how to improve). Each organization owns the process and the paths may differ significantly. I found that employees with diverse experiences from concept through manufacturing communicate more effectively through the functions. Most importantly, these teams should start from the value source (i.e., first line operations, QA, etc) and evaluated by an independent source to maintain the intended message.

Process integration between R&D and Manufacturing in FMCG companies is essential for aligning innovation with efficiency. By fostering early collaboration, creating cross-functional teams, and leveraging integrated technology platforms, companies can ensure that both departments work towards shared goals. This alignment reduces the risk of delays, costly redesigns, and quality issues, enabling a smoother transition from concept to production. By establishing joint metrics and involving Manufacturing early in the development process, companies can streamline operations, enhance product quality, and accelerate time-to-market, ultimately driving business success in a competitive environment.

Le partage des connaissance est primordial pour le Développement d'une entreprise et présente les avantages suivants : 1- Formation du personnel 2- Developpement du maidset 3- Creer des liens entre le personnel 4- Créer un référentiel interne regroupant les différents documents concernant ces connaissances 5 - Conservation des connaissances dans une base de données 6-Favoriser le transparence 7-Booster la productivité 8- Développer le sentiment d'appartenance à l'entreprise 9- favoriser la communication interne 10- Renforcer la culture de l'innovation Ce partage comprend les 3 types de connaissances à savoir les connaissances implicites, explicites et tacites.

Knowledge sharing between R&D and Manufacturing is crucial for FMCG companies. High-quality sharing ensures accurate, relevant information that enhances decision-making and innovation. Regular, frequent sharing keeps both teams aligned, prevents silos, and maintains smooth operations. Together, quality and quantity of knowledge sharing are key to effective collaboration and successful product development.

Knowledge sharing - cross training or assigning employees in different departments could be helpful. They can experience the actual scenarios in other departments which can help them understand the needs of their internal customer (other departments).