Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Fall 1995
Degree Name
Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Manufacturing Engineering Division
First Advisor
Reggie J. Caudill
Second Advisor
Golgen Bengu
Third Advisor
Cheickna Sylla
Abstract
The decline in defense spending has resulted in defense dependent companies seeking new markets through re-designing existing products, developing new products and restructuring their businesses. Defense diversification is defined as the process of transitioning a defense company's core capabilities (technologies, products, services) into commercial and non-Department of Defense government markets. A combination of site visits and review of the literature on defense diversification demonstrates the need for diversifying companies to adopt a systematic approach.
A concurrent new product development/product redevelopment model is proposed, based on the principles of concurrent engineering. The model consists of an eight phase development cycle and a set of enablers which are the key supporting processes and practices.
A phased sales cycle was formulated for a diversifying, defense dependent company. A survey of a sample of successful and unsuccessful companies in the different stages of diversification and a commercial company was performed using a questionnaire developed for this purpose. The survey responses were quantified using a scoring methodology devised as part of this thesis. The higher the score, the better the chances of success for a company in defense diversification. An analysis of the survey responses, together with company specific factors and changes, validated the fundamental applicability of the model.
Recommended Citation
Venkatachalam, Sathappan, "A systematic approach to defense diversification" (1995). Theses. 1587.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1587
