Competitive Technical Intelligence A Guide to Design, Analysis, and Action

by Coburn, Mathias M.

• ISBN13: 9780841235151
• ISBN10: 0841235155
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-06-17
• Publisher: American Chemical Society

Summary

This volume provides the tools for designing and implementing a credible,cost-effective, and reliable system for keeping track of technical trends andnew developments. The emphasis throughout is on practical methods which can formthe basis for decisions about industry strategies and research. The bookincludes numerous examples and will be useful for both new and experiencedpractitioners.

Author Biography

Matt Coburn was a technical manager with DuPont, where he developed a leading technical intelligence program. He currently works as a consultant in the field and as an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of Business at Widener University

Table of Contents

The Management of External Technology	3	(7)
The Increasing Role of External Technology	3	(1)
Barriers to Utilization of External Technology	4	(1)
External Technology as Part of a Strategic Technology Plan	5	(2)
External Technology and Competive Technical Intelligence	7	(1)
Source of Technical Intelligence versus Sources of Technology	8	(1)
Guiding Principles	9	(1)
An Overview of Competitive Technical Intelligence	10	(10)
What is Competitive Technical Intelligence?	10	(1)
The Three Elements of the CTI Activity	10	(2)
A Case of a Lack of Credibility	12	(1)
Purpose	13	(2)
Benefits	15	(1)
Metrics	16	(1)
Beyond Metrics	17	(1)
The Plan is the Driver, CTI is the Tool!	18	(1)
Guiding Principles	19	(1)
Focusing the Competitive Intelligence Program	20	(7)
Forces Driving Industry Competition	20	(2)
External Forces	22	(1)
Segmentation	22	(3)
Key Design Considerations	25	(1)
Guiding Principle	26	(1)
Sources of Competitive Technical Intelligence	27	(12)
Conventional Sources of Competitive Technical Intelligence	27	(2)
Phases of Competitive Intelligence	29	(2)
Technology Sources for Strategic and Tactical Assessment	31	(3)
Online Services and The Internet	34	(4)
Guiding Principle	38	(1)
Patents as a Source of Competitive Intelligence	39	(11)
Levels of Patent Profiling	39	(1)
Level 1: Patent Survey	39	(2)
Level 2: Selected Technology Profiles	41	(1)
To Begin, Keep It Simple!	42	(1)
Deliverables	42	(1)
Level 3: Other Sources of New Technology	42	(1)
Performance Polymers, Inc.---An Example of Levels 1 and 2 Analyses	43	(3)
Value of a Level 2 Technology Trend Analysis	46	(1)
An Example of a Level 3 Analysis: Identification of Other Sources	47	(1)
Other Sources of Competitive Intelligence	48	(1)
Guiding Principles	49	(1)
Scientific Literature and Conferences	50	(4)
Value of Technology Search via the Scientific Literature	50	(1)
Government Laboratories	51	(1)
Conferences	52	(1)
Understanding the Stages of Technology Development	52	(1)
Guiding Principles	53	(1)
Internal Gatekeepers as a Source of Competitive Intelligence	54	(7)
Identifying the Gatekeepers	54	(1)
Roles in Competitive Intelligence	55	(1)
Specific Responsibilities	56	(3)
Implementing the Program	59	(1)
Guiding Principles	60	(1)
External Gatekeepers as a Source of Competitive Technical Intelligence	61	(8)
External Gatekeepers Defined	61	(1)
What Are Key Expert Panels?	62	(1)
When to Use KEPs	62	(1)
Benefits of KEPS	63	(1)
Preparing for a KEP	63	(4)
KEP Facilitation	67	(1)
Output	67	(1)
Guiding Principles	68	(1)
Lead Users and Strategic Suppliers as Competitive Intelligence Sources	69	(6)
Lead Users	69	(1)
Identifying and Engaging Lead Users	69	(1)
Getting Started---Keep It Simple!	70	(1)
Good Customers versus Lead Users	71	(1)
Strategic Suppliers as a Source of Competitive Intelligence	72	(1)
Protection of Proprietary Information	73	(1)
Guiding Principles	74	(1)
Organizing the Competitive Intelligence Activity	75	(8)
Senior Management Support	75	(1)
Guerrilla Tactics	76	(1)
CTI on a ``Shoestring''	77	(3)
More Sophisticated Competitive Intelligence Systems	80	(2)
Outsourcing the CTI Function?	82	(1)
Guiding Principles	82	(1)
The Role of Competitive Technical Intelligence in the Strategic Planning Process	83	(20)
Competitive Technical Intelligence as a Proactive Tool	83	(1)
Linking Customer Needs with Technology	83	(7)
Additional Strategic Considerations	90	(10)
Putting It All Together	100	(1)
Taking Action	101	(1)
Guiding Principle	102	(1)
Acquisition of External Technology	103	(6)
Strategic Alliances as the Mode of Technology Acquisition	103	(1)
Definition of a Strategic Alliance	103	(1)
Relationship to Business Strategy	104	(1)
Role of Competitive Intelligence	105	(1)
Determination of Strategic Intent	106	(1)
Mergers and Acquisitions	107	(1)
Guiding Principles	108	(1)
Creating the Strategic Alliance: Partner Selection	109	(7)
Criteria for Partner Selection	109	(1)
Validation of the Technology	109	(1)
Strategic Intent	110	(2)
Organizational Compatibility	112	(1)
Culture	113	(1)
Guiding Principles	114	(2)
Negotiating the Strategic Alliance	116	(10)
Planning and Organizing for the Negotiation	116	(3)
Negotiating Principles	119	(6)
Providing for Technology Transfer	125	(1)
Guiding Principles	125	(1)
Executing the Technology Transfer	126	(5)
Elements of Technology Transfer	126	(2)
Organizing for the Technology Transfer	128	(2)
Guiding Principles	130	(1)
Structuring and Managing Strategic Technology Alliances	131	(4)
Structuring the Technology Alliance	131	(1)
Managing the Strategic Technology Alliance	132	(1)
Criteria for Success	133	(1)
Guiding Principles	134	(1)
Conclusion	135	(2)
Guiding Principle	136	(1)
Appendix	137	(6)
Summary of Guiding Principles	137	(6)
References	143	(2)
Index	145