Factors to improve time to market and efficiency of the product development processes of a transport engineering company

Abstract: Innovation is crucial for South Africa and the region’s economic growth, developmental growth and competitiveness. Research and Development (R&D) has become necessary, as the enabler, to enhance technological innovation to find new and more efficient ways to solving the current economic problems facing South Africa and the region. Governments in many parts of the world over are playing a pivotal role in broadening and deepening their roles in ensuring that innovation takes a centre stage in their respective economies [1] [2]. This study focuses on how the Transnet Engineering (TE) R&D unit can achieve this imperative by focussing on crucial systems and processes used internationally for R&D organisations that must be in place to ensure the efficiency of its systems and processes. This study assesses TE R&D capability maturity based on a Capability Maturity Model (CMM). Thus, the unit of analysis is the collective TE R&D management function. A narrative-enquiry qualitative research-method is used in determining the capability maturity measurements of the key dimensions within the Kalypso R&D Management Framework. The capability maturity measurements are used to propose a possible roadmap to close the gap between where TE R&D departments are today and where they should be as a sustainable Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). In terms of assessing the full TE R&D management capability, only the processes used for TE R&D management were assessed using the R&D management CMM. The other dimensions for a capability, i.e. tools, resources and facilities, were measured indirectly by evaluating the processes for establishing them and looking for evidence that they exist. In terms of sustainability, only efficiency of the processes was evaluated, the effectiveness and relevance of TE R&D management practices are outside the scope of this study as CMM in engineering only treats process assessments which is the basis for efficiency measurements and Kalypso only addresses processes for the different aspects of R&D Management. The study offers recommendations for reinventing TE R&D through bringing in innovativeness, efficiency and agility towards improved organisational performance [3].M.Ing. (Engineering Management