Rating: 
Summary: Do not underestimate the strategic synergy in this process.
Review: Most reviews on this book concentrate on how to develop new products, but one should not underestimate the corporate value to the discipline inherent in the process. Cooper's Stage Gate forces the best out of the planners and keeps the momentum focused on winners. What it also does is make best use of R&D money so you can be sure these valuable dollars are constantly working hard for superior results. Even the Finance people can get on board this process quickly and enthusiastically.This is a must read for anyone involved in the strategic planning process no matter what the company.
Rating: 
Summary: The discipline of Product Leadership
Review: Robert G. Cooper capitalizes on his long hands-on experience to analyze the key elements that make the product development process across industries successful. The key strength of Cooper's book lies in the systematic approach that he adopts in identifying the dos and don'ts of the product development process. Cooper helps readers understand the usage and limitations of that process. Unlike Clayton M. Christensen in The Innovator's Dilemma, Cooper unfortunately does not make a very clear distinction between sustaining and disruptive technologies and their impact on the product development process in his otherwise excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: A detailed but highly customizable process for new products
Review: The value of this book lies in two major aspects. Cooper is a world expert at the product development process, and focuses on the elements needed to make that process successful (rather than just explicating the steps). He does this by pointing our the critical sucess factors. Six of these focus on the process elements that are necessary, and seven more focus on critical elements for execution. However, just as important, Cooper makes use of his vast background in consulting and his knowledge of the workings of many companies, and fills the book with commentary on the usage and limitations of the process, using examples from real companies, and "Key Points for Management. He is one of the few consultants who has developed a process who also teaches the reader how to make it valuable to his own needs.
Rating:
Summary: A detailed but highly customizable process for new products
Review: The value of this book lies in two major aspects. Cooper is a world expert at the product development process, and focuses on the elements needed to make that process successful (rather than just explicating the steps). He does this by pointing our the critical sucess factors. Six of these focus on the process elements that are necessary, and seven more focus on critical elements for execution. However, just as important, Cooper makes use of his vast background in consulting and his knowledge of the workings of many companies, and fills the book with commentary on the usage and limitations of the process, using examples from real companies, and "Key Points for Management. He is one of the few consultants who has developed a process who also teaches the reader how to make it valuable to his own needs.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive guide to successful innovation management
Review: This book provides you with all you need to know about implementing approaches designed to improve the business's new product performance. The key topics of Stage-Gate processes, portfolio management and developing a product innovation strategy are well laid out. A must-read for the leadership team of the business!
Rating:
Summary: Not what I thought it would be
Review: This is a good book about developing a new product Process. I recommend it for anyone working to develop a product development Process. It has less to offer directly to product managers, entrepreneurs or anyone on the front lines of launching new products.The subtitle of this book is a misnomer. There are few specifics regarding "Creating and Launching Superior New Products". As that's why I purchased the book, the first 100+ pages were..... disappointing. A more apt subtitle/marketing proposition would be "Developing and Managing New Product Development Efforts" That said, "Product Leadership" will be a very useful resource to me for several reasons:
1) Comprehensive checklists of what to consider when working with new products
2) A clear framework for Managing New Product Development (Stage-Gate).
3) A terrific introduction to product portfolio management Pros
- Clear, consise, well-written by an expert and well-edited
- Breezy helpful checklists easy to revisit as needed
- Clear, simple frameworks help focus on the big picture for the company. Cons
- Few case studies or anecdotes
- Not much here about how to actually create and launch the new products
Rating:
Summary: Not what I thought it would be
Review: This is a good book about developing a new product Process. I recommend it for anyone working to develop a product development Process. It has less to offer directly to product managers, entrepreneurs or anyone on the front lines of launching new products. The subtitle of this book is a misnomer. There are few specifics regarding "Creating and Launching Superior New Products". As that's why I purchased the book, the first 100+ pages were..... disappointing. A more apt subtitle/marketing proposition would be "Developing and Managing New Product Development Efforts" That said, "Product Leadership" will be a very useful resource to me for several reasons:
1) Comprehensive checklists of what to consider when working with new products
2) A clear framework for Managing New Product Development (Stage-Gate).
3) A terrific introduction to product portfolio management Pros
- Clear, consise, well-written by an expert and well-edited
- Breezy helpful checklists easy to revisit as needed
- Clear, simple frameworks help focus on the big picture for the company. Cons
- Few case studies or anecdotes
- Not much here about how to actually create and launch the new products
Rating:
Summary: Great guide for management of new product development
Review: This is well worth a read by anyone, especially the senior manager, who wants to become a leader in product development. It draws on Cooper's many years' of experience advising companies on new product development. Very practical, understandable and usable.
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