Chapter 6: Collaborative design and manufacturing

Title: Planning and Control System for Web-based Collaborative Media Product Development

Author(s): Chung Y Ching, Hsien-erh Wu

Address: Department of Communications Management Shih Hsin University No.1, Lane 17, Section 1, Mu Cha Rd., Taipei 116, Taiwan R.O.C. | Department of Communications Management Shih Hsin University No.1, Lane 17, Section 1, Mu Cha Rd., Taipei 116, Taiwan R.O.C.

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2005 pp. 331 - 341

Abstract/Summary: In the past, the research on media product development rarely focused on the operations level because media products are highly diversified and implementing innovative ideas into media is a nonlinear process. Recently, the contemporary management philosophy embedded in advanced information technology systems, such as Web-based collaboration has changed this process. In this article, the authors propose a planning and control mechanism for media product development using a Web-based collaboration system. In this system, the planning and control mechanism is different from the traditional ones. To demonstrate the proposed method, authors chose an electronic magazine published on a weekly basis as the product being developed. The functions of every stakeholder and step by step procedure are discussed in detail. Consequently, an e-magazine was published. The results indicated when valuable creative ideas were added into process, the product quality is improved. When the experienced gatekeeper's knowledge management skill was implemented, the stakeholders' knowledge benefited greatly. The report concludes that, although there are challenges ahead, Web-based collaboration is the future direction of media product development.

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