Smart Development
Performance Booster-
Full-service provider of quality assurance systems

The company is one of the world's leading full-service providers of quality assurance systems for the web-processing industries. The systems not only ensure consistently first-class results in roll-to-roll production, but also contribute significantly to accelerating processes and sustainably increasing productivity. A particular challenge is that the company develops and markets both mechanical and electronic components and software, while also offering customised solutions.

Products: Web guiding systems, surface inspection, video web monitoring, colour management, automation solutions

Revenue: €150 million

Employees: 1,000

Client: CEO

Business units: 2

Project duration: 24 months

Consulting days: 270

How do you change an established organisation without overwhelming it – but consistently enough to have a real impact? For our client, a leading provider of quality assurance systems, the answer began with a clear goal: to raise product development across both business units to a new level of performance.

The basis for this: listening, understanding, thinking together. In over 100 personal interviews with employees and managers from all areas, we built bridges – between perspectives, between departments, between hierarchical levels. We wanted to know not only how people work, but also why – and what people themselves would change if they could.

At the same time, we began to systematically measure development practices: 51 areas of expertise – from early strategy definition to market-ready implementation. Which practices are implemented well? What is missing? What can be improved?

This was more than just an assessment of the current situation – it was the first step towards a common understanding. Because only those who share the same vision can move forward together. That is why we coordinated key analysis results in our own validation format with key personnel from both business units – not to achieve consensus at any cost, but to create clarity, responsibility and alignment.

The end result was not an analysis presentation, but a viable improvement programme – developed with the future implementation teams, anchored in concrete measures and backed by realistic plans.

And a board that was not only informed, but convinced: by the clarity of the approach, the quality of the results – and by the will to change that was palpable in both business units.

The diagnosis was followed by implementation – consistent, structured and in close cooperation with the specialist departments. Together with our client, we implemented a comprehensive improvement programme that not only tweaked individual aspects, but also redesigned key components of product development.

The initial focus was on strategic alignment: in a joint process, the corporate strategy was sharpened – as a binding framework for all further changes. Building on this, we further developed the entire organisational structure in order to establish clear responsibilities, short decision-making paths and a stronger customer focus.

A key success factor was the newly introduced project portfolio management system. Today, it ensures transparency, prioritisation and alignment of all projects with strategic objectives – and is thus the backbone of focused development work.

Operational product development has also been fundamentally rethought: together with those involved, we have developed and introduced a new end-to-end process – from the specifications to handover to series production. Agile working methods have been introduced where they create real added value: in cross-functional teams, in situations of high uncertainty and where rapid learning success counts.

Innovation was not left to chance: structured innovation management and the establishment of a pre-development department created space for technological exploration and new ideas – combined with clear processes, responsibilities and a defined maturity model.

The result: a noticeable change – strategically sound, organisationally anchored and culturally supported – simply irreversibly good!

• Clearly defined strategies at the business unit, industry, product, location and functional levels as a common guideline for decisions.
• Transparent technology assessment for targeted management of the technology portfolio and avoidance of wasted resources.
• Strategically managed project landscape through a prioritised, goal-oriented innovation and product development portfolio.
• Higher product development quality through improved interdisciplinary collaboration and clearly defined development standards.
• Market and customer proximity within the organisation through a structure that strengthens responsibility, responsiveness and external focus.
• Clear roles, responsibilities and interfaces that simplify collaboration and reduce friction losses.