Do It Right the First Time :Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls in Project Research and Development

In a complete project development cycle, the importance of research and development is well known. From materials engineering to structural design, from market research to customer applications, from experimental testing to production processing, how can R&D professionals achieve and uphold the principle of "getting it right the first time"? Let's take a look at this guide to avoiding pitfalls from the R&D professionals at Sanco!

Following Procedures Step by Step

"For research and development, if you want to make fewer mistakes or avoid mistakes entirely, the first thing to do is to strictly adhere to the work process." A complete project development and design process includes five major stages: project planning and definition, product design, process design, product process confirmation, feedback evaluation and correction. Each stage can be further broken down into dozens or even near twenty sub-stages.

The vast and intricate development process requires research and development personnel to strictly follow the relevant standards in every aspect, confirming the results are error-free before smoothly moving on to the next stage. Take the product design phase, for example: industry standards require the temperature rise of a product to be 50K, but the client's requirement is 45K. If the research and development personnel overlook this technical requirement and proceed with further development based on industry standards, it will lead to significant losses.

Therefore, research and development is not about being whimsical, but about using rigorous and comprehensive processes to avoid technical loopholes, make testing easier, ensure stable functionality, and enhance product quality and reliability.

Learning from Others' Wisdom

"An easy mistake that research and development often make is being unwilling to listen to others' opinions," said Hu Gong, who handles several important product developments at once in Shunke, expressing a straightforward impression of his peers.

This statement stems from the fact that research and development personnel tend to be quite confident in their professional knowledge, making them more likely to overlook the opinions of others and other departments. However, in Hu Gong's view, there are many experienced and skilled experts in the upstream and downstream departments related to research and development. Their opinions and suggestions are derived from frontline practices and summaries, making them extremely valuable for research and development.

"Take molds, for example, many experienced mold masters can spot unreasonable areas just by looking at the drawings. If their suggestions are taken into account, it can save time and costs in development." Therefore, maintaining an open mindset, actively listening to others' voices, may help avoid unnecessary detours in work. This is the first trick to avoid pitfalls that Hu Gong recommends.

Consistent Effort Leads to Success

Learning and accumulating knowledge is the path to success for everyone, especially for those in research and development. Chen Gong, who has been deeply involved in the connector field for years, frankly admits that despite his wealth of experience in the industry, he dare not claim to know everything. Only through continuous learning can one maintain the drive to progress.

"Whether it's revising industry standards, upgrading technologies, improving production processes, or enhancing materials, the knowledge and skills that research and development need to learn cover all aspects of the development process. This has also cultivated my habit of continuous learning." To ensure that his learning outcomes are solidified, Chen Gong usually records the experiences and key knowledge he has gained, and his own knowledge manual has now grown into a thick book.

Whenever encountering difficulties and doubts in project development, Chen Gong will turn to this manual, which occasionally gives him inspiration and enlightenment.

Secure the Supply Lines Before Engaging the Troops

When asked about how to get things right the first time, almost all the research and development personnel mentioned one word: "preparation." Before starting specific work, Chen Gong believes that the following preparation steps are essential:

Firstly, it is crucial to confirm the customer's requirements. "What are the requirements for various technical parameters? Are there any special requirements? How is the priority ranking of product functions?" Every detail must be clearly defined. Only after aligning with the requirements can the next steps be carried out.

Secondly, confirm the internal standards and requirements of the project, such as the development cycle and cost range. The development cycle will affect the work progress, and the cost will influence the product structure, material selection, etc. It is necessary to understand these clearly before arranging the work.

Lastly, double-check all factors related to project development with one's own experience and knowledge reserve to ensure that all unclear areas have clear definitions.

Prioritize Tasks Methodically and Systematically

In the minds of many people, the work of research and development may involve drawing and modifying drawings on the computer, but in reality, their work may also include meeting with clients, visiting production sites, and communicating technical details with suppliers.

Among all the work processes, the most mentally challenging part is undoubtedly the refinement and innovation of products, which requires a high level of concentration. Mei, who has recently entered the workforce, is gradually mastering the rhythm of work. Her advice is to prioritize tasks, allocating sufficient time for important tasks that require intense mental effort, in order to improve the accuracy of work.

As a senior research and development engineer, Chen Gong deeply understands this point. During the development of a high-voltage high-current connector project, he was stuck on a structural adjustment issue for a few days.

This problem troubled him for some time. In the end, he scheduled this task during a short vacation period, using undisturbed quiet time to "tackle the difficulties." Eventually, he came up with a solution.

Building a Tower with Gathered Sand, Strength in Unity

Sharing knowledge and continuously improving learning are essential team cultures for research and development, crucial for achieving the goal of getting things right the first time.

Since the third quarter of this year, Hu has been leading his small team in regularly sharing the problems and solutions encountered at work in the form of PowerPoint presentations, gradually forming a knowledge base specific to their team.

This sharing of experiences not only helps team members learn from each other but also avoids making the same mistakes, thereby enhancing the efficiency and quality of the entire team. Through sharing, the cohesion and spirit of cooperation within the team have also been strengthened, allowing everyone to better understand each other's work and provide mutual support and assistance.

Hu mentioned that he will persist in continuing this practice, emphasizing that growth is a valuable asset. Every individual's incremental progress, when combined, can become a powerful force.

By prioritizing innovation and openness as guiding principles, research and development personnel aim to achieve the goal of getting things right the first time, requiring higher standards for work habits and methodologies.

This guide to avoiding pitfalls is a summary of Shunke Research and Development's experiences and methods. When used appropriately, it can certainly help "research and development novices" avoid detours at work, truly achieving the goal of getting things right the first time.