Application of commercial best practices for new technology development within the constraints of defense contract funded R&D

Abstract

This thesis explores the application of commercial best practices for new technology development within the constraints of the defense contract funded research and development (R&D) environment. Key elements of successful new product development (NPD) are identified from the literature, including strategic fit, organizational structure, financial considerations, and use of Stage-GateTM type processes. Constraints, conflicts, and issues which arise in the defense contract funded R&D world but not in the commercial world are explored, including a multiplicity of funding sources, short funding cycles, and ambiguous ownership of go/kill decisions and gating criteria. Existing defense industry Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and new Engineering and Manufacturing Readiness Level (EMRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) metrics are evaluated as potential gating mechanisms relevant to the defense industry. We determine that the EMRL and MRL metrics meet many of the criteria necessary for good NPD gates, but they must still be supplemented by commercial best practices such as ensuring strategic fit, good organizational structure, financial attractiveness and competitive evaluation.

(cont.) A resulting combined framework of "soft" and "hard" criteria is applied to a case study of an optical component currently under development with contract R&D dollars. The output of this study helped to shape strategic decisions regarding this component and to identify next steps in the technology maturation roadmap. Application of these frameworks in defense should ensure that future successful technical performance is also supported by an appropriate business strategy and by a process maturation plan for manufacturing consistent with the upcoming Department of Defense (DOD) MRL requirements.