Developing a Tool to Identify At-Risk Tasks and Critical Decisions Points During Product or Process Introduction

Abstract

Process and product introduction are essential aspects of a company's product list. Many steps are involved in performing a successful introduction or transfer. But some steps include some tasks that can be underestimated. The issue with these tasks is that, even when they are simple tasks, they can affect the whole project. Among the potential effects are budget or timeline impacts, delays, and unnecessary expenses. The tool's use aims to improve planning and readiness and minimize issues by providing clear, organized information for decision-making, requests for additional support, and project tracking. The tool to identify high-risk tasks during process and product introduction was developed using “Excel” by using dropdowns and formulas. The task is identified, and different impacts are evaluated to determine the risk level and suggested action. A real scenario was used to test the tool once implemented. The testing results confirmed that the tool can identify high-risk tasks, assess potential impacts, and suggest actions.