One division of the ArcelorMittal R&D department decided to enhance the structure of its technological watch practices to encourage innovation. Read about the approach and results below!
The Measurement and Inspection department at ArcelorMittal R&D in Maizières-Lès-Metz is made up of forty people who perform R&D on product characterisation tools and the processes implemented to manufacture them. “We carry out technology watch which is essential in our type of business however our approach needed to be more structured on an individual and collective level”, explained Pierre-Jean Krauth, head of the department. He called on Cetim to achieve this.
Define and prioritise
Following self-diagnosis of the practices and major awareness raising amongst staff, the first step involved determining and prioritising the three main lines of approach for technology watch set by the department. A study was conducted on each of these areas in order to specify the expected deliverable. A technology watch officer was appointed for this activity and played the role of a genuine “project leader”. He is assisted by “facilitators” for each selected line of approach. Significant effort was made to enrich the sources of information to be used and especially to enhance the effectiveness of Internet searches. The guidance provided by Cetim also facilitated the preparation of fairs in order to make them true sources of information.
Collaborative work and “watch” points
Successful tests were carried out on a patent statistic processing tool which also helped to develop the collaborative work between researchers, the industrial property department and the documentation department. Finally, the sharing of information has been established and “watch” overviews are organised during the department meetings. The first assessment drawn up one year to the date after the start of the approach shows that the watch practices have become more professional.
To support companies in their watch approach, Cetim has harnessed its experience into a methodology (MOuV’PME) and a tool box that is constantly enhanced. This approach has been successfully passed down to approximately fifty companies of all sizes and from all sectors.
