James B. Ayers
Principal

New Product Development
& Technology Transfer

Click on the links below to download the articles in PDF format.
 

Four Steps to Managing Complex Development Programs
James B. Ayers
Chemical Engineering Progress, August 2002

Complex development projects, by their nature, require special attention. Applying four steps will improve the changes for success. 1. Make a conscious decision whether the project is "simple" or "complex." 2. Define the issues that make it complex. 3. Set time windows for phases. 4. Build a financial model for the technology.

Apply Management Tools to Development Activities
James B. Ayers
Chemical Engineering Progress, February 1999

The R&D process is difficult to "control." Despite these difficulties, management tools are useful for the task. A case study describes how a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) gets her arms around the challenges faced in her new assignment.

Demand-Driven Supply Chain Implementation
James B. Ayers
Chemical Engineering Progress, December 2006

This article, targeted at product developers, describes how to create a demand-driven supply chain for a new (or existing) product. The article contains a glossary of common terms and the collaborative infrastructure needed for success. The 3C Alternative to MRPII, a good fit for products with high commonality like those in chemical and pharmaceutical industries, provides a foundation methodology.

Business Tools for Technology Transfer
James B. Ayers
Hydrocarbon Processing, February 2000

Technology managers need to talk with the business side when new products are important to business success. Stage-gate and Discovery Driven planning techniques will help with this difficult task.