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RC TOM Challenge 2018

November 13, 2018

Read The Full Prompt

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)

Will IBM’s Deep Thunder Finally be the Key to Accurate Weather Forecasting?
xo xo Gossip Girl
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Traditionally, government organizations (NOAA) and private companies (the Weather Company) have collected massive amounts of data via satellites and sensors, but weather forecasting models have had mixed success. IBM’s purchase of TWC in 2016 combines this data with a refined [...]
It’s Only A Matter Of Time: ML Sets Its Sights On Your Calendar
Ankith Harathi
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 3:27 pm
At Marlo, we're building an AI engine for time management. We're starting with an MVP to solve event discovery for HBS students - want early access? (https://www.getmarlo.com)
The Internet of Things: How will Samsung bring their A-game?
Keen
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Samsung is one of the main competitors within the Internet of Things Space. Traditionally, Samsung has developed consumer electronics but as we move into a world of "smart" everyday objects, Samsung must be able to not only produce great hardware [...]
General Electric – Will Investments in Additive Manufacturing Yield Results?
Student 24601
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:22 pm
A brief look at investments in additive manufacturing by GE and implications for the future
How 3D printing is changing the way Nike approaches production and innovation
Phil Knight
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
How 3D printing is enhancing the prototyping, innovation and production processes at Nike.
DMs for Dollars
Melekot
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Individuals and businesses in America enjoy access to a mind-boggling array of financial services.  Borrowing is ubiquitous – consumers swipe plastic to their heart’s content, smaller firms tap into bank loans, and big corporations issue public bonds.  And while societal [...]
Is machine learning in education the new textbook?
Mandy Z
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 1:55 pm
Education technology company Knewton strives to deliver personalized learning experience for college students using machine learning technology. Can Knewton's product really replace textbooks as the company aspires to?
Machine learning will revolutionize the future of insurance
Ulunma
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Over-regulation, technological changes, changing customer behavior and competitive pressures are driving the disruption of the traditional insurance business model. How should insurers re-think their strategy for the future in an agile market that demands a customer-centric view?
Additive manufacturing and the future of Nike
Elizabeth Liu
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 8:43 pm
Nike Mission Statement: To Bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world (if you have a body you are an athlete).
Window into the soul?: Machine learning for song recommendations at Spotify
kgf
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 9:09 pm
“Music is like a window do your soul”… “it tells people a lot about who you are and what you care about, whether you like it or not.” -Christine Hung, Head of Data Solutions at Spotify [4][6] If music is [...]
Toyota’s Answer to the Self-Driving Era
Pandas
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 8:35 am
Toyota aims to provide users with two modes of self-driving assistance - chauffeur and guardian. These two concepts complement each other by providing the convenience of automated mobility and the joy of driving. The development concept of self-driving technology by Toyota [...]
Teaching an old Deere new tricks: machine learning product development at John Deere
Violent Delights
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 9:35 pm
Leveraging machine learning to improve crop yields, reduce farmer costs, and grow revenue
Printing: Speed
TomTom
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Adidas Sets Out to Bring 3D-Printed Running Shoes to the Masses
How Additive Manufacturing Can Unlock Boeings Biggest Challenges
SSS
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:20 pm
Boeing stands to reap great gains from a considered adoption of additive manufacturing by viewing this megatrend from a strategic perspective, beyond just a narrow tactical one
For GE to Convince the World of the Benefits of Additive Manufacturing, It Must First Convince Itself
JK Rowling
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Can GE get divisions outside of Aviation to adopt the Additive Manufacturing technologies it is trying to sell to customers as a standalone product?
Exploring the Future of Beauty Through Open Innovation and Co-Creation at L’Oréal
JSC
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Can L'Oreal use open innovation programs to co-create its way to the future of beauty consumer retail?
Building the Supply Chain of the future
Matthieu
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 10:00 pm
In an evolving world, Supply Chain service providers need to proactively invest in new technologies to try and avoid obsolescence. Will that be enough?
Amazon Go: The Future of Retail?
MN
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:54 pm
In 2018, Amazon launched Amazon Go, a brick-and-mortar store powered by machine learning - with no checkout lines or cashiers. Is this the store of the future?
The Sentinel Initiative — How the FDA Might Know Why You’re Sick Before Your Doctor Does
EAS
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 3:41 pm
An examination of the potential to harness big data to improve public health and safety using natural language processing.
Cyft: The Promise of Machine Learning to Deliver Health Care Over Sick Care
ZinM
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Cyft, a cloud-based predictive analytics platform, is making big bets that it will be able to predict your health in the future, and ultimately improve health outcomes and bring down costs.
TAL – Closing the education resource gap with the support of machine learning in China
Estelle
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:29 pm
TAL, China’s biggest out-of-school education institution is investing heavily in machine learning to have a better understanding over students’ learning situation through facial expression analysis, to provide customize learning plan through adaptive tests, and to improve operation efficiency through business [...]
Future of Flight: Autonomous Aircraft?
Akash
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:17 am
How can you reduce the likelihood of mid-air aircraft collisions? Can the solution be a pre-cursor to fully autonomous flight? This article explores the use of machine learning to replace traditional Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS).
Walmart’s Dual Incentive To “Do Good”: Bottom-Line Profit Through Elimination of Food Waste
Wally
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Can Walmart be at the forefront of a solution to alleviate global food waste, while prospering themselves?
Grand Challenges at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
lxc
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:58 pm
An example of Open Innovation applied to Non-Profit Organization and Beyond
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