Webinar

Open-source disruption in support of audacious goals

How development programmes can be radically accelerated now — rather than at the end of a decade-long transformation project — using open-source digital tools and empowered 'best athletes'.

The need for complex engineering solutions to global challenges — on both an organisational and transnational level — is only increasing. But how can development programmes be radically accelerated now, rather than at the end of what could plausibly be a decade-long transformation project?

Ian Quest, director of consulting at Quick Release_, argues the huge strides required can be made with minimal changes to existing enterprise architecture and process design, instead relying on aspirational mindset shifts around getting the basics of data quality, reporting and programme governance right. Delivered through the empowerment of 'best athletes' supported by rapidly developed digital tools based on existing open-source modules, the speed, focus, and ease of deployment of these tools has the potential to reshape the PLM value equation. This vignette provides a whirlwind tour of the thinking behind — and real-life implementation of — this methodology, drawing on recent automotive and medical device contexts. First broadcast during the Fall 2021 edition of the PLM Roadmap and PDT conference.

Download machine transcript ↓

Chapters

0:00Three facts and an opportunity
1:21The design-release gap: a wishbone case
2:39Tech options: spreadsheets, enterprise, and pop-up software
3:37Getting the basics right: data, reporting, joined-up process
5:32Advantages of the open-source approach
6:57Empowering engineers
8:01Takeaways
8:46Ventilator Challenge UK in action
Key takeaways

What this session covers

Acceleration now, not in ten years

Why the pace of global challenges means programmes can't wait for the end of a decade-long transformation to see the benefits.

Mindset over architecture

Material gains come from aspirational shifts around data quality, reporting, and governance — not from ripping out and replacing enterprise systems.

Best athletes plus open-source tooling

Empowering the right people with lightweight, rapidly developed digital tools built on open-source modules changes the speed-to-value equation for PLM.

Evidence from real programmes

Draws on recent automotive and medical device contexts, including lessons from the Ventilator Challenge UK effort, to show the methodology in practice.

Ian Quest

Ian Quest

Former Director, Quick Release_

Ian is a director at Quick Release_ and leads the firm's growing consultancy arm. His focus is on unlocking competitive advantage by bringing products to market faster and more efficiently. An early career in aerospace engineering led to senior leadership roles with several prominent manufacturing consultancies, culminating in the directorship of Newton Europe's Air, Land & Sea business. Ian joined QR_ full time in 2017, having previously provided non-executive advisory services to its founders.

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