This book will take the reader through a systematic examination of the
factors involved in process innovation. It starts with the
considerations to be initiated in the boardroom and at group management
level and develops into a hands-on guide for middle management and
professional engineers directly involved in the innovation of process
technology. The book initially puts process innovation in a corporate
perspective, providing a framework for the development of a corporate
process innovation strategy. Some new methodological tools are also
introduced which support the targeting and proper roadmapping of
improved process capabilities, and the progression of customer and
end-user product demands, into raw-material specifications in a
well-managed supply and demand chain.Various aspects of the design of a
process innovation organisation are reviewed in a later section. In the
context of the development of process technology, this book advocates
the importance of delineating and clarifying corporate work processes.
Various environments for development work are discussed, from initial
test work to pilot-plant testing and the use of demonstration facilities
to achieve lean process innovation. The importance of an open
collaborative approach is stressed. This includes involving external
equipment manufacturers at an early stage as well as collaborative
development of customers' use of the products in their production
processes, with a view to excellence in future application
development.Process innovation will not, however, generate profit or
reduce operating costs until the new or improved process technology is
operating well in the plant. Best practice for start-up of new process
technology and process plants is examined, starting with a fresh outlook
on technology transfer in general. This often-neglected area of
management of process innovation is, in fact, of an importance
equivalent to that of a product launch in the development of new
products. The final part of the book closes the circle, discussing how
to implement and measure the strategic intent of process innovation.
Improving the general performance of corporate process innovation is
then covered by going through success factors and key performance
indicators, and their aggregation on a corporate level.
