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://aiinstitute.hbs.edu/platform-rctom/how-to/.

Submitted (926)

An Open Call for Help: Can Pfizer Find the Cure for Cancer… Outside the Walls of Pfizer?
Helene
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:20 pm
The discovery of groundbreaking medical treatments may no longer solely rest in the hands of scientists; grassroots R&D efforts combine scientific expertise with the experiences and creativity and horsepower of the masses.
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?
UNICEF: Open innovation to tackle humanitarian crises
K Fukagawa
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Open innovation is drastically changing the way the humanitarian sector delivers aid: UNICEF leads the way.
Adding Value across the Value Chain — Additive Manufacturing at Siemens
James
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Siemens is leveraging additive manufacturing to create value across its value chain -- from equipment manufacturing to repair, maintenance, and services.
Letting Go at LEGO: How Open Innovation Reinforces Product Creativity and Design
Jake Meiner
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Since 1998, LEGO has been leading the way in Open Innovation - finding success in sourcing new ideas from an active online community of dedicated LEGO fans. Twenty years later, how can the iconic brick behemoth continue to harness the [...]
Open Innovation in CPG: The Future of HENRi@Nestlé
Hans Gruber
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 8:05 am
Examining Nestle's Open Innovation Program
Machine Learning: Schneider Electric Positions Itself to Lead Digital Transformation of Infrastructure
lill janglas
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 11:16 pm
Demand for applying digitization and machine learning to current operations has increased significantly for manufacturing companies today. Can one company expand its reach to help all industries reach their goal of digital transformation?
Open Innovation Startup Quirky Couldn’t Crowdsource Its Way to Success.
Z
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Quirky launched in 2009 to make the invention of consumer products more accessible. Open innovation helped usher in ideas from the masses and some would argue that crowdsourcing led to the company’s untimely demise.
Machine Learning and the Future of Agriculture
David Host
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 8:34 pm
The world faces a fundamental food problem: quantity versus quality. For the last several decades these two notions have been at odds, with the gap widening. What can put a stop to this?
Venture Capital: Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated
Jack Bel
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 3:15 pm
Using machine learning to resurrect outdated VC sourcing models
Making the Leap: Can Machine Learning Take Root in Animal Healthcare?
TrojanAndy
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
Can IDEXX successfully bring machine learning diagnostics to market in the animal healthcare space?
Future-Proofing Financial Services: Barclays Accelerator Program and Open Innovation
hbs51369394
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 5:49 pm
“By accelerating the development of groundbreaking products and services, we know that we can help to keep Barclays at the cutting edge of financial services, all while helping to revolutionize the industry” - Michael Harte, Chief Operation and Technology Officer.
John Deere: From Equipment Manufacturer to AgTech Firm
Jane Deere
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 6:08 pm
John Deere invests heavily as machine learning technology offers the next revolution in agricultural production.
Speeding the Drug Discovery Pipeline with Open Innovation
Patrick Jones
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Can open innovation speed the drug discovery pipeline?
RIDGES Run Deep: How PepsiCo Delivered on Crunch through 3D Printing
ka
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 10:12 pm
PepsiCo employed 3D printing to create the RUFFLES Deep Ridged masterpiece. Under Nooyi's leadership, the corporation greatly expanded its innovation capabilities; however, other innovation programs may be superseding additive manufacturing at PepsiCo.
Broad use of Machine Learning at Ford
petersonnenberg
Posted on November 10, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Players in the automotive industry are getting prepared for major disruptions to come in the next 10 to 15 years. Urban mobility (car/ride/bike sharing) and autonomous vehicles1 are disruptive trends that heavily rely on machine learning. A concern for traditional [...]
Dementia Discovery Fund: Crowdsourcing a Cure for Alzheimer’s
Joe Johnson
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:16 pm
When the goal of curing Alzheimer's trumps financial returns, a philanthropic VC fund begins to look more like a hub of open innovation. The Dementia Discovery Fund encourages risky innovators through its mandate to back a wide range of potential [...]
Treating Soldiers with Tech
AP
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 8:48 am
Exploring the Department of Defense's bio-additive manufacturing gambit to address mounting soldier care shortcomings
The Merging of Sports and Technology – Nike and Additive Manufacturing
Robert Victor
Last modified on November 6, 2018 at 8:00 am
Nike and Additive Manufacturing
How Coca Cola is Leveraging Machine Learning in the Hyper-competitive CPG Industry
John Smith
Last modified on November 6, 2018 at 7:41 am
Major shifts are occurring in the food & beverage industry as consumers look beyond legacy CPG brands and towards new, interesting, and perceived healthier alternatives1. As these customer desires continue to intensify, it is critically important for the larger companies [...]
TaskRabbit is using open innovation to tap an unrealized labor market, but can it sustain its growth?
Kaitlyn
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 10:39 pm
TaskRabbit is your new handyman, mover, grocery shopper, and more.  Using open innovation, or “crowdsourcing,” TaskRabbit connects demand for and supply of contractual labor. 
Open Innovation in L’Oreal
Ariel
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:05 pm
L'Oreal is a the world's NO.1 beauty brand that emphasized both internal and external open innovation. However, innovation from both parties may sometimes cause misalignment of interest.
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.
How Additive Manufacturing Can Improve Access to Adequate Housing
SD
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Additive manufacturing improves access to housing
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