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RC TOM Challenge 2018

November 13, 2018

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The TOM Challenge provides an opportunity for you to continue exploring organizational learning and innovation through the lens of process improvement and/or product development, the focus of RC TOM’s second module. In this challenge, you will investigate how an organization is grappling with machine learning, additive manufacturing, or open innovation. These megatrends are likely to significantly affect how organizations manage process improvement and product development in the coming years of your career. The TOM Challenge requires you to (1) conduct research and write an essay that examines how one organization is facing a particular aspect of one of these megatrends, and (2) write six comments that share your reflections on some of your section mates’ essays.

Your essay should address four questions in the context of the organization you choose:

  1. Why do you think the megatrend you selected is important to your organization’s management of process improvement and/or product development?
  2. What is the organization’s management doing to address this issue in the short term (the next two years) and the medium term (two to ten years out)?
  3. What other steps do you recommend the organization’s management take to address this issue in the short and medium terms?
  4. In the context of this organization, what are one or two important open questions related to this issue that you are unsure about that merit comments from your classmates?

Your essay should convey facts, analysis, and your recommendations. It should focus on a single organization (e.g., a single company, non-profit organization, or government agency) and a concern related to one megatrend. It is fine if the concern you choose relates to other megatrends that the organization is facing, but that’s not required. Roughly a third of your essay should be dedicated to each of the first three questions, with just a few sentences dedicated to the fourth question. Your essay should be at least 700 words but no more than 800 words, and must conclude with a word count in parentheses (such as 778 words).

When posting your essay to Open Knowledge, be sure to enter “Machine Learning”, “Additive Manufacturing”, or “Isolationism” in the Topics field.

More details on research, sourcing, deadlines, and other matters are provided in the RC TOM Challenge: 2018 note.  For assistance with the Open Knowledge platform during business hours (9:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F), email openknowledge@hbs.edu. A short video with instructions on how to post an essay to this platform is available at https://d3.harvard.edu/platform-rctom/how-to/.

Submitted (926)

Robots vs. Humans: How Machine Learning is Impacting the Financial Services Industry
Jane Smith
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Disruptive Technologies: How will machine learning alter society?
Defense Distributed: Is There a Future for Gun-control?
Tom Buffer
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 1:27 pm
The essay is about the explosive issues surrounding Defense Distributed, a company that develops virtual blueprints of guns that anyone can download and use to print a gun at home, in a 3d printer. Most importantly, it is about additive [...]
WAKE COUNTY USING MACHINE LEARNING FOR PROPERTY APPRAISAL
celesteheart
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Wake County in North Carolina has implemented machine learning to improve the property value assessment process, something extremely important for tax purposes. The new assessments will be effective in 2020 and will be the result of a new process that [...]
Blockchain Powered Asset Tokenization Protocols Threaten Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Business
Joel Camacho
Posted on November 15, 2018 at 1:20 am
Tokenization of assets, including equity and debt, will disrupt investment banking.
Crowdsourcing at Adidas – Be The Designer
Fred Perry
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Crowdsourcing designs, machine learning, and efficient manufacturing processes have all been a part of Adidas' strategy for the future. With the help of open innovation the company has managed to turn its fortunes around and will be aiming to narrow [...]
World War 3D: How success on tomorrow’s battlefield will depend on the agility and flexibility provided by Additive Manufacturing
Chesty Puller
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 11:15 pm
The United States Marine Corps must effectively leverage additive manufacturing or risk losing in the next war.
Everything is Awesome: Product Innovation at LEGO
LxHuang
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 12:12 am
LEGO has been highly successful in translating user generated ideas into commercial product lines using its LEGO Ideas platform. How should the company approach the current and future challenges of keeping its external innovators engaged and continue the product innovation [...]
Using Machine Learning to Make Better Decisions in the Wind Power Industry
Andrew Baxter
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Can machine learning offer an opportunity to reduce the uncertainty in evaluating wind power projects? What is the future of artificial intelligence in the energy industry?
The Power of Patient Data: How Flatiron Is Combining Big Data and Machine Learning to Revolutionize Cancer Care
Scott Briggs
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 7:14 pm
With their machine learning-enabled OncoEMR platform, Flatiron is giving oncologists the power of big data at the point of patient care.
Data and Machine Learning: The New Grocery Battle Ground
SkyDecktective
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Kroger looks to leverage big data and machine learning to win its share of consumer stomachs, and wallets
Can AI save brick-and-mortar retail?
KMS
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:28 pm
With the increased penetration of e-commerce, declining in-store traffic, and retailer bankruptcies, brick-and-mortar retail is experiencing tremendous headwinds. Neiman Marcus has recognized that digital innovation is critical for the future viability of retail and is seeking to optimize and personalize [...]
Open Innovation Leads to an Understanding of the Building Blocks of Humanity
HBSstudent0918
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 9:17 pm
Genome sharing through an open information sharing platform presents an unprecedented opportunity for the future precision of medicine and health for the worldwide community
Smarter Cities: How Machine Learning can Improve Municipal Services in Chicago
Not Rahm Emanuel
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:09 pm
While machine learning is typically discussed in the context of major technology companies, city governments, institutions rarely thought of as innovators have begun to use machine learning to better understand the data they collect and use those insights to improve [...]
How can a traditional conglomerate (aka a global business producers) can be innovative?
Masato Nakamura
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:58 pm
How can a traditional conglomerate (aka a global business producers) can be innovative?
San José Tackles Open Innovation for Smart Cities
Nancy Torres
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:51 pm
How Silicon Valley's Capital is Co-Creating The Smart City of Tomorrow
We’re Not Getting Any Younger! Empowering Better Senior Care through Machine Learning
JuicerJane
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 6:51 pm
We're getting old at an increasing rate, and today's options for care are often expensive, inefficient and depressing. Can machine learning help?
Steam-powered ideas: a market for open innovation
Oliver Badenhorst
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 9:21 pm
Videogaming is a notoriously challenging industry. How then has Valve been able to develop such a dominant position since its founding in 1996?
Is Facebook fulfilling its mission of bringing people together or is it splitting them apart?
Tom Raider
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Facebook’s mission is to “Give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together". However, the way Facebook employs machine learning algorithms promotes a narrow view of the world to its users. How can Facebook improve?
3D Printing Toyota’s Headlights: The Sourcing Decision
Liz Delozier
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:54 pm
Wondering how 3D printing will really affect our vehicles? Here's how I approached it at Toyota.
Machine learning in the Energy Sector
Mr. Crimson
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 7:17 pm
The energy sector although old, is still fertile for innovation, innovative ideas are applied day in and day out in this critical industry. One is the utilization of big data and machine learning to increase efficiency and reduces risk via [...]
The AI Doctor will see you now – Machine learning transforming healthcare
TechPower
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 8:06 pm
Machine learning has the power to fundamentally reinvent healthcare. In a world where industries have been radically transformed by technology - we watch technology finally slowly, but steadily disrupt healthcare delivery. Ready to meet your AI doctor?
Role of AI in lending – can machine learning bridge the gap between irresponsible lending and financial inclusion?
Giorgi
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 6:13 pm
According to the PwC’s Financial services technology 2020 and beyond report, financial services is expected to be disrupted the most by modern technologies and banking is the industry with the highest share of leaders concerned about the speed of technological [...]
Hinge: A Data Driven Matchmaker
MAO
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 9:45 pm
Tired of swiping right? Hinge is employing machine learning to identify optimal dates for its user.
Is Sony INNOVATING enough to create the next Walkman?
panda
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 4:14 pm
From being perceived a GHOST in 2012 to one of the most underappreciated TURNAROUNDS by 2017, SONY has come a long way! But, is it really INNOVATING? Will we ever see the next Walkman-like revolutionary product from SONY?
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