Reengineering the new product development process: A framework for innovation and flexibility in high technology firms

In response to an increasingly global and competitive environment, reengineering of fundamental cross functional processes is being actively pursued by corporations. This is particularly true in those industries which evolve rapidly. The flexibility to adapt to changing market needs and develop innovative products in such an environment is quintessential to success. This would make new product development arguably one of the most critical cross functional process. Traditionally, this process has involved inefficient sequential processing of information and plans between functional specialties. We propose a conceptual framework in this paper that facilitates innovation, flexibility, and an understanding of the reengineering of this product planning process. In particular, we consider the case of high technology firms in the semiconductor and telecommunications industry, which demands a high degree of product innovation. We propose that achieving innovation and flexibility would require a considerable degree of planning and coordination through the various phases of development. This coordination is required not only across functional groups, but also across the hierarchical levels in the organization. Top level management support through a product champion, and proper interfacing with the external environment and the target market are essential components of such a planning process. The proposed framework is initially developed based on information elicited from an expert engaged in the product planning and development process at a large progressive telecommunications firm. The framework is then refined and finally presented based on feedback from five experts in the high technology electronics industry, and also evaluated in the context of prescriptive literature in the reengineering and innovation areas. The information and conceptual content of the framework presented in this paper can facilitate better planning, formation, and organization of cross-functional work teams and groups that may be involved in the product development process. Implications of the framework for strategic product planning and its impact on the manufacturing function within a firm are also discussed.new product development innovation reengineering technology industry frameworks

Prognostic Value of Abnormal p53 Expression in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Treated With Androgen Deprivation and Radiotherapy: A Study Based on RTOG 9202

The goal of this study was to verify the significance of p53 as a prognostic factor in Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9202, which compared short-term androgen deprivation (STAD) with radiation therapy (RT) to long-term androgen deprivation + RT in men with locally advanced prostate cancer (Pca). Tumor tissue was sufficient for p53 analysis in 777 cases. p53 status was determined by immunohistochemistry. Abnormal p53 expression was defined as 20% or more tumor cells with positive nuclei. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationships of p53 status to patient outcomes. Abnormal p53 was detected in 168 of 777 (21.6%) cases, and was significantly associated with cause-specific mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 – 3.14; p = 0.014) and distant metastasis (adjusted HR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.13–2.62; p = 0.013). When patients were divided into subgroups according to assigned treatment, only the subgroup of patients who underwent STAD + RT showed significant correlation between p53 status and cause-specific mortality (adjusted HR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.32–4.49; p = 0.0044). When patients were divided into subgroups according to p53 status, only the subgroup of patients with abnormal p53 showed significant association between assigned treatment and cause-specific mortality (adjusted HR = 3.81; 95% CI 1.40–10.37; p = 0.0087). Abnormal p53 is a significant prognostic factor for patients with prostate cancer who undergo short-term androgen deprivation and radiotherapy. Long-term androgen deprivation may significantly improve the cause-specific survival for those with abnormal p53