Development of an R&D process model for enhancing the quality of R&D: comparison with CMMI, ISO and EIRMA

Abstract

Although various methods of total quality management concentrate on a process approach to management, product and/or service realisation and support, little attention has been paid to both R&D quality and R&D processes. Since companies have increased investment in R&D projects for many years to eliminate the risk of an ineffective R&D process and enhance the quality of R&D, it is indispensable to create a well-structured R&D process. Thus, this paper proposes a standard R&D process model that can be applied to various R&D projects. In addition to evaluating this model, the standard R&D process model is compared with traditional process models, namely Capability Maturity Model Integration, European Industrial Research Management Association, and ISO15288. Finally, an assessment method is suggested to evaluate an R&D process in a real situation. The results of this paper present 21 R&D processes and the best practices in each process, enabling a company to find and improve weak R&D processes.