Client
Digimarc ID Systems creates transaction processing and supply management systems used by customers worldwide.
Situation
To meet customer demands for lower cost solutions, Digimarc sought to move from expensive full custom solutions to standard products that could be reused, customized, and sold to new channels such as value-added resellers and system integrators.
Standard products must have a consistent architecture and be easily reusable and customizable. This is very different from the custom development process that Digimarc knew. The company asked me to assess its capabilities and help it design a product development system that would succeed in its unique culture and niche market.
Solution
Working closely with development and marketing leaders, I designed a streamlined product development system with four key parts.
- Empowered and accountable cross functional development teams that work across silos
- Lightweight project framework shared by all organizations working on new products
- Senior management forum that ensures communication, coordination, and tracking
- Architecture and technology teams that create a unified product architecture and a continuing stream of new technology
I was an active partner in implementation and change management by providing training, coaching, and communication. This ensured that the solution addressed cultural barriers and stayed flexible in ever-changing circumstances.
Result
Projects succeeded that previously would have failed. Digimarc saw benefits that directly improved cost, schedule and quality.
- Clear leadership and accountability for each project
- More effective project decisions, escalation and roadblock removal
- Reduced confusion, better communication and joint action across functional silos
- Better handling of emergencies and surprises
- Up front definition of requirements and design, reducing frequent design changes
- A product roadmap, with clearer decisions on which projects to do and not do