Technology management in complex product systems (CoPS) - ten questions answered

A new field of innovation research is developing around the theme of comple x product systems (CoPS): high cost, engineering and software intensive pro ducts, systems, capital goods, networks and constructs, produced in project s or small batches. The paper poses ten questions concerning underlying inn ovation processes, company strategy, management, and project effectiveness and efficiency. In attempting to provide answers to the ten questions, the paper touches on the nature of best management practice in CoPS, common pro blems confronted land how to overcome them), how to improve productivity an d how to increase learning from project-to-project. The paper argues that i nnovation processes in CoPS differ in many respects from those commonly fou nd in mass production, commodity goods made from standard components and, a s a result, innovation management differs. Section 2 (Part 1) begins with t hree analytical questions concerning the intrinsic nature of CoPS, contrast ing these with-commodity goods. Section 3 CPart 2) presents six practical m anagement questions frequently posed by managers. In conclusion, the final question touches an promising new research directions in the study of innov ation in CoPS.