The Science And Art Of Buggy: A Case Study Of Engineering Innovation

1. The Science And Art Of Buggy: A Case Study Of Engineering Innovation 2008 Carnegie Mellon University Homecoming October 24, 2008

2. Matthew L Wagner, Ph.D.Senior Program Development ManagerBreakthrough InnovationPraxair R&D

3. Introduction “All I’ve needed to know about new product development, I learned doing buggy”

4. Who Am I? • Spirit Buggy • Co-Chair 1985 - 1987 • 1st men’s 1987 • 1st women’s 1986 & 1987 • One of the builders of Quantum Leap • Course record 1988 to 2008

5. Who Am I? • New Product Development (NPD) • Praxair R&D since 1992 • Individual contributor, manager, innovation champion

6. What is Buggy?

7. Engineering Innovation

8. Engineering Innovation: Defined Engineering Innovation Practical application of scientific knowledge The act of introducing something new to the world + = Invention

9. Engineering Innovation: Praxair + =

10. Engineering Innovation: Buggy + =

11. Buggy and NPD are both examples of Engineering Innovation

12. Activity Theory ACT ACT ACT Organization Task

13. Buggy and NPD: Task and Organization • Task • Complex (many interrelated subtasks) • Strong engineering component • Objective measure of success • External competition • Organization • Team based • Multiple people • Multiple functional roles • Decision making hierarchy

14. Buggy and NPD have similar task and organizational challenges Complex multi-dimensional task including technical and non-technical activities Complex organization with multiple people and multiple roles

15. Buggy: Task

16. Primary Engineering Challenge • 55 seconds down hill • Rigid • Low rolling resistance wheels • Aerodynamic • Stable through Chute • 75 seconds pushing • Light • Stable pushing platform

17. A Light and Rigid Buggy • Structure • Space frame • Tube (monocoque) • Flat pan • Materials • Aluminum • Composites

18. “How do you get her in there?”

19. Creativity and collaboration

20. Low Rolling Resistance Wheels • Challenge • Minimize energy losses • Get through Chute • Tires • Solid polyurethane • Solid rubber • Pneumatic • Treatments • Heat • Chemical • Pressure, gas (pneumatics) 1985 Buggy Book “Spirit wishes to express their deep gratitude to Luan Denny, Steve Ng, and the entire Fringe organization, Jeff Allan, Mr. Jim Underwood, Dr. Cyert, and SDC, without whom Spirit’s buggies would have never rolled.”

21. External relationships Proprietary knowledge

22. Buggy: Organization

23. Organization: Creating a Team • Racing teams • Driver • Five pushers • Support personnel • Flaggers • Timers • Mechanics • Chairs

24. Must recruit talented people and motivate them

25. Organization: Decision Making

26. Leadership must set direction, allocate resources, and align organization

27. Comparison to Praxair’s NPD Work Process Objective Success Criteria Technical Engineering Tasks Non-technical Tasks Objective Success Criteria Competition Intellectual Property External Relationships Multiple people and roles Leadership and decision making

28. Conclusion All anyone needs to know about new product development, they can learn doing buggy

29. Thanks CMU Alumni Relations: Sarah McMullen CMU ETIM Program: Eden Fisher CMU Buggy Alumni Association: Abby Sullivan, Tom Wood Spirit Buggy Alumni: Tom Felmley, Liz Stoltenberg Praxair: Marie Caputi, Doug Heiderman HISTORY OF BUGGY (by Tom Wood) Date: Saturday October 25 Time: 12:30-1:15 Location: Adamson Wing, Baker Hall