If you work in product development, the Internet of Things and connected devices are top of mind. The impact of the IoT transcends industry borders and company firewalls. The Internet of Things is not only about connecting things to the cloud, it’s changing the way companies create customer value.
Breaking Down Traditional Product Development Silos
In order to create truly transformative products, companies are having to break down silos, make friends with competitors, and embrace the intersection of hardware and software like they never had to before.
Disruption is more than a given. It’s an imperative to adapt fast enough in arguably one of the largest and fastest changing technology ecosystems. The company role of "Futurist" just got a heck of a lot more challenging. And people with experience in creating mutually profitable (in the broadest sense) partnerships will achieve golden child status.
Here is how Jeroen Tas, CEO of Connected Care and Health Informatics at Philips, describes the disruption created in his industry when he was interviewed by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for their Internet of Things Business Index 2017.:
"…medical equipment manufactured by Philips may be just one element of a wider picture of “connected care networks” that link patients, caregivers, family doctors and hospital clinicians. These networks may also include equipment and systems from other manufacturers, including patient-worn devices for monitoring conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes, electronic medical record systems and cloud-based platforms where huge volumes of patient data can be stored and analyzed. That means the company’s IoT strategy is participating in emerging ecosystems of patients, customers, partners and suppliers. “For us at Philips, IoT goes far beyond manufacturing connected devices,” Mr Tas notes. “It’s more about interoperability within ecosystems, where different organizations work seamlessly together. In future, we will definitely see far more of these ecosystems, but I think it’s fair to say that not every organization with an IoT strategy is ready to create and participate in them yet.”
So How Do Product Developers Manage Communications and Knowledge Sharing in this New World of Connected Devices?
We’ve written extensively on the importance of early learning, visible knowledge work and communication at Playbook to drive new product and market ideas and ultimately, get to market faster.
The demand on product development teams to extend intelligence gathering beyond hardware engineers, to software engineers, to partners outside of corporate walls makes these concepts even more relevant.
In an extended ecosystem, with work underway potentially all around the globe, static project boards aren't an option.
Product teams need to be just as connected as the products they are building. Latency in information transfer cannot be tolerated.
Connection and communication are fundamental.
Whatever you call it — electronic visual work management, online project management, or electronic kanban board — it’s a must have, not a nice to have.
Is Your Team Ready for the Internet of Things?
Check out Playbook’s principles and tools to ensure you and your team don’t get left behind.
