Managing Product Development Projects When Manufacturing Is Overseas

Abstract: Many companies are choosing to move manufacturing overseas. Although this makes sense when considering the lower production costs, the challenges created for a company's on-going product development program should also be considered. This issue within the context of two industrial projects using the techniques of participant observation and structured interviews has been studied. Seven categories of barriers that a company should address to increase their chances of success were developed. These barriers and insights into potential avenues to pursue when faced with these challenges to help better manage on-going product development projects when production is moved overseas are presented.