Performing changes in product development: A framework with keys for industrial application

Industrial product development requires continuous improvements in work procedures as a result of constantly changing demands. Support tools have proven to be an oft chosen way to meet new demands; however few research efforts have been made in how to implement new tools. This article is a contribution to knowledge on carrying out the implementation of support tools. The basis consists of four field studies performed during 1994-1999, containing 78 qualitative research interviews and focusing on the implementation and use of different support tools. A re-analysis has been performed of selected interviews from the field studies, in total 30 interviews. This resulted in recommendations for an implementation model with guidelines, i.e. an implementation framework, consisting of Implementation Cycle, Organizational Change Field and Managerial Consistence and five implementation keys: Goal Setting, Knowledge Development, Anchoring at All Levels, Suitable Resources and Focus on the Individual.