Factors influencing success in integrated product development (IPD) projects

Given the fact that there are thousands of components involved in the development process of an automobile or other similar complex products, coupled with many groups of people with different backgrounds, it is important to explore factors that can help the integration of the different groups and the tasks leading to project success. The authors conducted five in-depth case studies in one European automobile company and three first-tier suppliers also based in Europe. They focus not only on internal management, but also on the external management of integrated development projects (IPDs). Their data showed that there are five key areas-brand or vision deployment, understanding of customer needs or specifications, supplier involvement in the development process, project management and purchasing-that can contribute to the success of integrated development projects. They identify a number of critical issues in the aforementioned key areas that could help to improve the management and, thus, enhance the success potential of IPD projects. This paper explores the issues relating to success in IPD projects in companies that outsource the component/systems development