Case | HBS Case Collection | 1997 (Revised from original 1997 version)

Improving the Product Development Process at Kirkham Instruments Corp.

by Clayton M. Christensen

Abstract

Describes the efforts of a manufacturer of scientific instruments to implement new methods of managing new product development, which its executives had learned in a Harvard Business School seminar. The executives left the seminar excited to implement a new way of working, but, through a series of seemingly logical steps, got little accomplished.

Citation:

Christensen, Clayton M. "Improving the Product Development Process at Kirkham Instruments Corp." Harvard Business School Case 697-058, September 1997. (Revised from original January 1997 version.)