Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
BRIDGING THE 'VALLEY OF DEATH' IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE DRILL COVER PROJECT
Gheorghe, Florin; Hodgson, Antony J.; Van der Loos, H.F. Machiel
Type:
Year:
2015
Editor:
Christian Weber, Stephan Husung, Marco CantaMESsa, Gaetano Cascini, Dorian Marjanovic, Serena Graziosi
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
University of British Columbia, Canada
Section:
Design Methods and Tools - part 2
Page(s):
287-296
ISBN:
978-1-904670-69-8
ISSN:
2220-4334
Abstract:
Innovation in the medical device industry is frequently driven by collaborations between engineers and clinicians in an academic setting. However, many such projects, especially within student design courses, end up abandoned and orphaned when approaching the proverbial “Valley of Death” in product development. In this paper, this challenge is described as three separate Valleys: a financial valley, an expertise-driven valley, and an academic-specific valley. This paper then presents a case study of the Drill Cover Project, a student design project in the Engineers in Scrubs Program at the University of British Columbia. Observations of the Project’s success to date are presented in a resulting model for how engineering design and technology commercialization courses can increase the likelihood and ability of student groups to bridge the three Valleys. This model includes close collaboration with users, strong early leadership and team culture, supporting networks of mentors and product champions, and an impact-focused mission, which are all contributing factors to the success of the Drill Cover Project thus far.
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