READING 1
Project Team #5: Develop, Test, and Commercialize the Snow Wrangler – a Programmable Plowing Robot with De-icing Spray
Concern #1: Supply Chain – For example, batteries die quickly in colder weather, and sourcing batteries that withstand the cold may be expensive and/or require longer lead times. Other parts may also have additional conditions.
Concern #2: Scope Creep – For example, how much snow can it remove? How steep of an incline should it be set for? How much snow can it miss? How much maintenance should be involved?
Concern #3: Unreasonable goals – Each function is related to another limiting function or expectation. For example, how long does the average consumer expect the robot to take to plow their driveway verses conventional methods? How long will the battery life last compared to that length of time? How much power would be needed to plow that much snow for that length of time? How heavy can the plow plus the unit plus the de-icing capacity tank be in order for the unit to move? Would the motor be able to move that weight plus the snow?
Mitigation #1: Establish the Scope, Work Breakdown Schedule, and Timeline. This could look like: deadlines for initial trials, specifications for the batteries, design insulated compartments to reduce exposure to the temperatures, and define required battery life under set temperature conditions. Agree as a team on the resources needed to support the project, assumptions, and constraints – such as a cost management plan. Establish change management processes and communication structures to ensure project team remains current and adjustments can be made as necessary.
Mitigation #2: Establish the Requirements and Defined Expectations. Define the End User’s Expectations and Clarify What is Not in Scope. These must be clearly defined and agreed upon by the team in writing, so it can be utilized for placing parts orders, performing trials, informing the marketing team of the unit’s capabilities, and/or when the change management process is initiated. For example, this unit does not apply salt, does not work on unpaved surfaces, and may leave up to a ½” of residual snow. This unit is designed to remove snowfall between 1” – 4” on a 25 deg incline or less, and covers up to 100 sq ft with a battery life of 40 minutes for temperatures above 10 deg F. All ice detected thicker than 1/8” will have de-icing spray applied.
Mitigation #3: Establish Deliverables and Project Phases, with clear Go vs No-Go checkpoints. If the initial designs of the unit do not meet consumer expectations, including price expectations, the design phase will either be repeated, conditionally approved for testing and improvement, or the project discarded. These must be clearly defined and agreed upon by the team in writing, so it can be referenced in the event the team disagrees during the project and/or the change management process is initiated.
In short, clear, written communication through the project plan is a key building block to a successful commercialization of our new product.
