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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)

Navigating Through Supply Chain Turbulence With Additive Manufacturing at Boeing
Eric C
Posted on November 9, 2018 at 6:38 pm
Boeing has turned to additive manufacturing to avoid supply chain bottlenecks and save costs in an increasingly fast-paced industry.
Fighting Poverty with Artificial Intelligence
V
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:28 am
Advanced machine learning and image recognition techniques allow for a less expensive and scalable way to locate poverty.
Bytedance’ AI application: secrete sauce behind the world’s most valuable private startup
Peter Le
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 7:36 pm
Explore what's behind the world's most valuable tech startup
Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Wayfair Optimizes Your Home Décor Shopping Experience Through Machine Learning
Nathaniel
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Though many shoppers view Wayfair as “that online furniture store,” Wayfair identifies as a technology company that “reinvents the way people shop for their homes.”[1] In an information-abundant age, customers are king, and with a few keystrokes gain access to [...]
The Brains Behind Olay Beauty Care Product Recommendations
beautywithbrains
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:28 pm
What is Olay? Olay is a 66-year-old global skin care products brand within Procter and Gamble’s (P&G) $65 billion-dollar product portfolio. Olay products were sold in 80+ countries, used by 60+ million consumers as of 2012, [3] and generated estimated [...]
Blended Learning: The Rise of Machine Learners
Pareto Ninja
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:37 pm
In 2010, only 54% students from grades 9-11 in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) passed the math portion of the assessment test. In contrast, ~80% students from grades 3-6 met the minimum standard on Texas’s assessment test. That means [...]
Google AI: Predicting Heart Disease in the Blink of an Eye
Kendrae
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 10:43 pm
Google AI researchers use machine learning to predict risk factors for cardiovascular disease using photographs of the retina.
Machine learning is not limited to Tech firms: Conventional Oil & Gas Industry Has Adopt The Advancement To Extract More Profit
I'm not Mo
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Generally, machine learning is perceived for computer technology-driven firms. This article examines the use of machine learning in an old world industry such as oil and gas.
Flatiron’s Machine Learning Solution Benefits Cancer Patients and Big Pharma
Austen Eliot
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 12:58 am
Big Pharma Digs Deeps into their Wallets to Gain Access to Flatiron Health’s Machine Learning Technology, but will it be worth the price tag?
DoD Additive Manufacturing: Pushing Supply Solutions to End Users
Ian Hossfeld
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 10:49 pm
The US Department of Defense is implementing additive manufacturing capabilities across all unit levels on projects both big and small.
vTaiwan: Crowdsourcing Legislation in Technology and Beyond
Caroline Schubach
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 1:44 pm
vTawain--a government crowdsourcing platform--takes citizen input on how to legislate up and coming industries
Soaring to new heights with additive manufacturing at GE Aviation
Ben S
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
GE Aviation is investing heavily in additive manufacturing to help develop the next line of jet engines. As they develop these skills, they seek to not only make better products, but use this to get an edge in delivering new [...]
An Algorithm Could Be Your Next Favorite Artist
@realBillyTabrizi
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:49 pm
An Algorithm Could Be Your Next Favorite Artist
Will Machine Learning be Pfizer’s Answer to Curing Cancer?
ZYXWV
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 9:17 pm
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has partnered with IBM's Watson Drug Discovery program to accelerate their immuno-oncology drug discovery time. Perhaps IBM Watson's machine learning capabilities will uncover novel therapy combinations for Pfizer that could lead to a cancer cure.
Using machine learning to bend the healthcare cost curve
wm25
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 6:10 pm
EHR and billing services provider athenahealth uses machine learning to automate administrative tasks - how can they use their unique market position to add more value for their clients?
MADE BY GOOGLE, POWERED BY MACHINE LEARNING
Farrah Bui
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 3:12 pm
The introduction of AI and ML has redefined the Google product experience, driving further investment in hardware development and software integration. As information flows become more complex, Google relies on ML and AI to raise the most relevant data at [...]
Additive Manufacturing at GE in the Midst of a Turnaround (797 words)
Beth
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:44 pm
GE has been a leader of additive manufacturing in aerospace. How will they keep innovating while facing pressure from investors?
Chanel’s Foray Into 3D Printing
Arting Chang
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 12:07 am
Chanel, one of the most iconic haute couture houses, has been at the forefront of additive manufacturing compared to its peers. The brand recently debuted a 3D printed mascara that it had been perfecting for over a decade. While the [...]
Turning Feelings into Data: Applying Natural Language Processing to Employee Sentiment
Jason Brown
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
Employees give feedback and comments to express how they're feeling. Can vendors specializing in natural language processing help organizations scale their ability to understand this data?
Spotify + The Machine: Using Machine Learning to Create Value and Competitive Advantage
AP
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 9:52 pm
Spotify's use of machine learning is central to its strategy.
Airbnb: Utilizing Machine Learning to Optimize Travel
Wanderlust
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Airbnb utilizes machine learning to personalize search rankings for guests and to optimize pricing for hosts.
Developing Machine Learning and Proprietary Data Sets at Goldman Sachs
Marc
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 2:27 pm
Goldman Sachs is a global investment bank, struggling to monetize customer data in a highly regulated environment. How are they getting around these restrictions?
Death by due diligence? Legal tech takes one for the team.
ACG
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 4:25 pm
In an industry where time is everything, legal technology is increasing both the efficiency and the accuracy of review. And this is only the beginning.
ADIDAS – Additive Manufacturing for the Masses
SR2020
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Adidas has entered the world of additive manufacturing through the introduction of its Futurecraft 4D shoe. With mass customization using 3D printing as the ultimate goal, questions remain whether Adidas will be the first athletic retail company to affordably scale [...]
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