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2 - D A Y  W O R K S H O P
Metrics that Matter to R&D
Rapidly Deploying a Comprehensive
and Simple R&D Metrics System

 Dates & Location:
 June 24-25, 2008 / Chicago, IL


Agenda & Course Outline

Day One

7:00 – 8:00 Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 8:30 Introductions/Overview of Workshop Agenda
8:309:30 Session I:
Metrics Basics
  • Clarification of definitions for metrics, measurements, targets and goals and what their proper place is in R&D

  • Contrast results versus predictive metrics – how they work together to deliver success
9:30 – 10:00 Session II:
Case Examples of R&D Metrics Mistakes
  • To understand the proper use of metrics, this session will review case studies of how real companies have “blown it”

  • Dissecting what went wrong and how to avoid those mistakes creeping into your R&D metrics
10:00 – 10:30 Session III:
Best Practices

Successful metrics systems at leading companies go beyond just counting. They get right to the heart of what needs to be focused on to improve effectiveness and efficiency. We review case studies of how an aligned, predictive, well governed metrics system propels R&D to new levels of performance.

10:30-10:45 Refreshment Break
10:45 – 12:00 Session IV:
The "Three Step" Methodology

Metrics don’t have to be difficult to be successful. The powerful, but simple “three step” methodology lies at the core of doing metrics right. This session will review each step and its associated tools and how they contribute to metrics success.

12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 Session V:
Alignment - Evergreen Goals
  • Hands-on application of R&D metrics - setting long-term “evergreen” goals to define the direction of the organization.

  • Applying the voice of the customer, business imperatives and organization capabilities to arrive at top-level goals, from which everything else flows down

2:30-2:45 Refreshment Break
2:45-5:00 Session VI:
Alignment - R&D Goals
  • Defining R&D’s contribution in both the near and mid-term

  • Examining R&D strengths and weaknesses to distinguish the “critical few” goals that need greater attention through metrics

5:30-6:30 Networking Reception

Day Two

7:45 – 8:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 10:30 Session VII:
Ownership - Putting "Predictive" in Predictive Metrics

Introduction to the “metrics tree” – a tool to determine cause-effect relationships. Specifically, by leveraging the experience of the organization’s professionals to understand what really causes each goal to occur, the resulting “causal actions” can define R&D’s contribution to goals and build the foundation for R&D metrics.

10:30-10:45 Refreshment Break
10:45 – 12:00 Session VIII:
Simplicity - Targets

Taking into account learning curves, partnering opportunities and existing skill sets, interim targets must be set for each metric defining performance expectations throughout the near and mid-term.

12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 Session IX:
Simplicity - Governance
  • Key steps for establishing governance - both predictive and results metrics must be reviewed and acted upon regularly. A governance system is the lynchpin of successful metrics implementation.

  • Applying a straight forward, but effective approach to monitor your new R&D metrics.

2:30-2:45 Refreshment Break
2:45-3:45 Session X:
Deployment - Action Planning

With a solid knowledge base in place to set up R&D metrics, the next course of action is to develop a realistic implementation plan. The final exercise of this workshop outlines the steps necessary to deploy your new R&D metrics.

3:45-4:00 Q&A
4:00 Workshop Concludes

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Course Info

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This workshop is strictly limited to 45 participants - early registration is strongly advised.