As early as 2012 LNS Research was asking the question: should companies be creating a Chief Quality Officer? With the launch of Quality 4.0 initiatives broadly across the industry, a focus on closing the loop from consumer experiences to product design, ensuring a culture of quality, and embracing new Digital technology; the answer to that question today is an emphatic yes. From mid-level to upper level, digital quality leaders are emerging across various industries to bridge the gap on digital tools, infrastructure and analytics.

As technology advances exponentially, smart city strategies will fuel industrial transformation (IX) opportunities. City and industry convergence for synergistic value is on the rise and is expected to get more complex and integrated. Sixty or so years ago the animated sitcom The Jetsons catapulted thought towards the future. These natives of Orbit City appear to be moving to Music City - Nashville Tennessee. From George Jones to George Jetson, Nashville’s new Intelligent Transit initiative is sure to capture national attention. Why just meet George Jetson, his boy Elroy, daughter Judy, and Jane his wife, when you can be them?

An enterprise quality management software (EQMS) initiative can provide one of the best opportunities for Quality leaders to become recognized as an Industrial Transformation (IX) change agent. The opportunities are even greater when Supply Quality and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) are considered in the scope. Quality leaders will need to break away from their traditional correction mode headset and learn how to connect with others. Collaborating with the various functions before starting will be key, because they want to know what’s in it for them. Exploring technology opportunities, casting a clear vision and charting an easy win, is sure to land quality leaders as a unique IX change agent—especially when viewing the latest research indicating 14% of IX programs are being headed up by team leaders possessing the right skill sets for cross-functional collaborative leadership.

Our inaugural Industrial Transformation (IX) Event was a refreshing connection for industry executives leading transformation ― from startups to mature journeys, from tissue and drywall to aircraft carriers and submarines. The breadth of IX coverage and insight resonated well among industrial executives and software vendor thought leaders in attendance. Focused roundtable sessions on quality and environment, health, and safety (EHS) packed the room as Quality 4.0 and connected worker topics fostered lively discussions.

NPI Essential for Business Results, Yet Generally Ineffective

New product introduction (NPI) is a linchpin process in most corporations and industries. NPI is key to competitiveness, revenue growth, and customer retention. Given the importance of NPI to overall corporate success, it’s no surprise that manufacturers devote considerable cost and effort to it. According to our most recent data, the median manufacturer involves 25% of personnel in NPI and has a new product cycle that lasts 24 months on average. Despite the substantial investment, NPI often fails to deliver expected outcomes. Forty-four percent of NPIs fail to meet all or even most success criteria.

On Thursday, June 27, LNS Research hosted the webcast, “Enabling Transformation in Life Sciences: Delivering Near- and Long-Term Success with Quality 4.0.” The presentation examined strategies for life sciences organizations to reduce IX program risks and increase the speed of adoption.

Several of my observations have been fairly consistent over the past few decades of working in quality, technology, and as a quality research analyst and thought leader. Four stand out as primary reasons why quality, and often the industrial organization at large isn't able to transform as quickly or successfully as they'd like.

Sparta Systems is an interesting firm. Well known for its on-premise TrackWise product, it had stumbled in recent years as it faced many new cloud-based competitors. Over the past year, it brought on a new leadership team and put its considerable weight behind the development of its Force.com-based TrackWise Digital cloud product. As we look at the Summer 2019 release of TrackWise Digital, has the effort paid off?

The #MondayMusings Industrial Transformation blog series provides insight and analysis for executives from the previous week’s briefings, events, and publications @LNSResearch.

Recently, SAS invited LNS Research to its annual North American analyst event in Naples, Florida. SAS is a leading analytics, BI and data management software provider with several of LNS’ manufacturing clients using the analytics solutions to generate deeper insights into quality. The event was a great opportunity to dig deeper into SAS’ Internet of Things (IoT) and quality solutions, understand the breadth of SAS outside the industrial space, and engage with their executive team.

It’s been several years since an early wave of innovators began investing in digital technologies to improve quality. In fact, quality improvement and improved quality monitoring are one of the top use cases for Industry 4.0. The ranks of digital, IT, operations, product development, and quality leaders focusing their digital energies and resources on quality improvement is quickly growing .