Tips for managing global innovation projects Watch on YouTube TLDR In this episode of Product Mastery Now, I speak with Jack Hsieh about successful product development strategies. Jack brings 20 years of experience managing innovation projects at companies like Sony Ericsson and Logitech. He shares practical insights from the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) framework and explains how product managers can use these principles to improve their product development process. Through real examples from his work in consumer electronics and aerospace industries, Jack shows how PDMA’s body of knowledge helps create successful products while avoiding common pitfalls in portfolio management. Key topics discussed: * Innovation requires both strategy and execution * Market research remains fundamental * Process choice should match organization culture * Portfolio decisions need global perspective * Technical expertise matters in leadership Introduction While recording this episode at the PDMA Inspire Innovation Conference, I had the opportunity to talk with Jack Hsieh about product development evolution. PDMA has been supporting product professionals since 1976, making it the oldest organization dedicated to product management. Jack explains how PDMA’s comprehensive knowledge base helps companies innovate effectively across different industries and cultures. Understanding New Product Development Jack breaks down new product development (NPD) into clear components that every product manager should understand: * Turning ideas into products and services that customers will buy * Finding market opportunities that create value for organizations * Making existing products better through strategic improvements * Creating new value for established markets The PDMA Body of Knowledge Framework 1. Strategic Alignment Jack describes how product development needs alignment at multiple levels: Strategy Level What It Means Why It Matters Corporate Strategy Company’s overall direction Guides all product decisions Business Unit Strategy Market-specific plans Focuses resources effectively Innovation Strategy Product development priorities Directs innovation efforts Capability Strategy Resource planning Ensures successful execution 2. Portfolio Management During our conversation, Jack shares valuable insights from managing product portfolios at Sony Ericsson. He explains how the company handled three distinct product lines: * Smartphones * High-end feature phones * Low-end feature phones This experience taught him important lessons about resource allocation. For example, his business unit needed to coordinate holidays across three regions: Sweden, Taiwan, and Japan. The overlapping work schedule only provided 190 days per year for full team collaboration, making resource planning especially important. Jack uses Boeing and Airbus as examples to illustrate key portfolio management principles: Portfolio Decision Impact Lesson Learned Boeing’s 737 platform extension Technical challenges with aging platform Need for balanced technical and business leadership Resource allocation across product lines Product cannibalization between categories Importance of global portfolio optimization Technical vs. business leadership Impact on long-term product decisions Value of technical expertise in leadership 3. Process Management