PRODUCT LINE MANAGEMENT: CUSTOMER-FOCUSED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR RAILWAY SIGNALLINGAND CONTROL

摘要

With railway markets increasingly demanding both innovation and reduced costs, it is essential that supply-sidernorganisations get the best possible return for their investment in research and development. Invensys RailrnGroup (IRG), is a major player in many railway markets worldwide, and has a considerable track record ofrnsuccessful product development and innovation. In order to enhance the speed of development, increase thernpace of innovation and achieve maximum returns on investment, the Group has adopted a Product LinernManagement (PLM) approach across the businesses, which is designed to allow for the specialised technicalrnnature of the railway protection and control environment. This paper explores what this approach is based uponrnand why it has been embraced by the Company, the selection of people to drive the initiative forward, and therntools and methods used.