Agile Practices in New Product Development – Over 70% Seek to Implement Beyond IT and Software

WALTHAM, Mass. - July 20, 2016 - PRLog -- Management Roundtable (MRT) and TCGen conducted a study in June 2016 to understand the current level of interest and implementation of agile principles applied to product development beyond IT and software. There were 65 respondents across 7 industry groups including Materials, Technology, Medical Devices, Manufacturing, Consumer Packaged Goods, Consulting, and Non-Profits.

The findings, described in an infographic available from MRT, revealed a surprisingly wide gap between desire and degree of progress in non-software agile implementation. Only 12% of those surveyed have been using agile approaches for more than one year, while over 80% are considering agile and 70% want to get started.

The key improvements sought by nearly all respondents involve Time to Market and Customer Experience/Intimacy. Respondents expressed interest in strategic concepts (agile enterprise, integrating sprints and waterfall, and the role of managers) as well as tactics (length of a sprint, how to train the first team, etc.). Their implementation difficulties stem from a lack of specific direction.

"It was clear from the survey that people are struggling with where to start, not knowing what the first steps are, or what results to reasonably expect in non-software product development," said Jackie Cooper of MRT, the study's lead researcher.

MRT and TCGen plan further research to identify and share emerging agile product development best practices. For more information, download 7 Steps to Conducting Agile Sprints for New Product Development, and/or sign up to receive an invitation to Agile Product Development – Driving Speed, Delighting Customers.

About The Management Roundtable

Management Roundtable (MRT) (http://www.roundtable.com) is the leading knowledge and networking resource for product development and innovation professionals worldwide. Practitioner-oriented and unbiased, MRT's focus is on providing actionable information about new strategies and processes that enable speed, agility, and overall competitive advantage. Founded in 1980, Management Roundtable is highly regarded for its conferences, workshops, distance learning, and online content on Agile/Lean Innovation, Program and Project Management, Co-Development, Roadmapping, Technology Scouting and related topics.

About TCGEN Inc.

TCGEN (http://www.tcgen.com/), based in Menlo Park, California, has been aiding global organizations to deliver innovative products, faster with processes since 2001. TCGen Principals are former executives with many years of experience at C-Level roles at Apple, Bose, and Cisco. TCGEN Inc. has been regarded as an industry leader within the field of product development and innovation by applying Agile principles throughout the organization. The founders have written a handbook on new product creation called "Innovate Products Faster" and have worked with organizations such as Amazon, Apple, BD, Bose, Cisco, Dolby, Fitbit, HP, IBM, Medtronic, Roche, and 3M.