Discussion feedback - Assignment Example

Discussion 1a Technical Leader There are numerous disciplines in the area of applied science and technology. These areas contain endless opportunities for technical leadership. However, as a technical leader there comes a high degree of responsibility with a specific skill set and knowledge in a particular area. How would you define the function and responsibilities of technical leader? What KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) must a technical leader possess as the SME (Subject Matter Expert) in a given discipline to lead a group or organization?Ans. Technical leaders are responsible to provide support in order to resolve any technical issues.

They are directly responsible for meeting the development schedules according to the need and demand of the design and technical specifications. A technical leader should possess the three basic KSAs that include technical independence, technology influence and technology initiative.Discussion 1bScience and TechnologyMany people and experts feel that there is a strong link and dependency between science and technology. It is arguable that one can exist without the other. Explain in detail and provide your perspective with practical examples of why you feel there is or is not a connection between science and technology.Ans. Science and technology are evolving rapidly.

They are developing new revolutions between different inventions and technological designs. Usually, the solution to one’s technological problem is found in the invention of other. Science and technology are interdependent on one another. Discovery in one field promotes and explores new ways and techniques in another field. Discussion 2aEthicsThere are a number of factors and precautions that need to be considered when developing and introducing new technologies to the marketplace. This is especially the case when this could be a technology without a known history.

One specific consideration is around ethics such as the impact on people and the environment. What are some common ethical challenges, issues and dilemmas encountered when creating and commercializing a new technology? Describe in detail and provide an example of each type (challenges, issues and dilemmas) for both the development and introduction process.Ans. Different ethical challenges arise when a new technology is created and commercialized. Some of the issues or ethical dilemmas revolve around financial development and fulfilling the short/long term goals.

All around the world issue of privacy has been the greatest ethical dilemma for healthcare sector to maintain the privacy of the patient and his family in a certain domain. To deal with such issues, every hospital tries its best to establish privacy support center to safeguard the sensitive information given by the patients and to maintain strict privacy code. Discussion 2bMarket ResearchMarket research and competitive analysis are typically used in order to determine the feasibility of a new technology.

How could you use advanced market research in order to remain competitive? Describe as part of your answer what sources you would use to attain this information and how you would use or apply it to strategically identify new market opportunities?Ans. To remain competitive in the market, a business should focus on his marketing research techniques to increase the competitiveness and to take an edge on competitors. Surveys, personal interviews, observation, focus groups and field trials have been considered as the most reliable method to conduct market research.

Through surveys, companies can get to know directly what their customers want. However, personal interviews help the companies to develop a more thorough insight into what exactly a customer wants or what changes he expect to see in a product. Similarly, observation helps the companies to analyze the attitude and behavior of the customer towards a specific product on its purchase and use. Field trips are the ways through which a company tests the customer’s response by selling the product direct on the counter.

It is the quickest way to analyze the credibility of the product. Focus groups help the companies to collect more information about the personal likeness, customer analysis and purchase behavior. Discussion 3a Global DeploymentThere could be significant challenges and hurdles when deploying new technology globally. This can take the form of both political and regulatory dimensions. These types of obstacles can vary significantly, especially when introducing technology in different countries and cultures.

Explain the political and regulatory implications on technology and how they can be managed when globally deploying new applications. Ans. For different companies, regulatory implications are the biggest hurdle in going global from a local status. There are different organizations such as FDA, IFRA, REACH and other international entities which are needed to be satisfied before entering in a specific country for doing business. Political forces also create hurdles in conducting business in other countries.

A slight shift in foreign policies can affect the entire business planning to go global.Discussion 3bConsumer DemandConsumer perception, confidence and adoption of technology are typically shaped from various external forces. This can ultimately result in a particular technology becoming a success or failure. Describe in detail the types of forces that shape consumer demand for technology and how this exposure can impact an applications probability to become mainstream. Ans. Demands and needs play an important role in shaping the market for any product.

For consumers who are interested in buying technological products, their buying power shapes the interest more than their need. Sometimes, to meet their demand of any technological product, these customers are willing to pay a higher price just to remain mainstream. Discussion 4aInvention and InnovationAccording to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an invention is defined as something invented as a product of the imagination such as a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment and an innovation is defined as the introduction of something new such as an idea or method.

How would you differentiate an invention from an innovation as it applies to science and technology? Provide two examples of each type and explain your thought process in distinguishing the examples provided.Ans. Invention and innovation are different terms. Invention is the creation of any product whereas innovation is the process of modifying the product according to the need of the customer. For example, mobile phones are the invention of science to meet the communication needs of the customers but the innovation of mobile phones have given rise to the product modification which appeared in the form of Iphones, Galaxy S3 and different other smart phones.

Similarly, the invention of computers changed the world of technology drastically but the innovation to this product developed the simple computers to Ipads, laptops, tabs and so much more which has changed the normal life of a human being. Discussion 4bLifecycleThe natural evolution for technology is that it becomes obsolete or not as effective overtime compared to its initial introduction. Cradle to grave is a typical lifecycle for any given application. The useful life of a particular application will vary based on advancements in a given discipline.

It is critical to continuously seek and identify new ways to adapt technology. Describe in detail the process to evaluate alternative or replacement applications for existing technologies and explain at what point in the lifecycle should this process be initiated?Ans. Replacement of technology is important which is dependent on different factors. Lifecycle of a product is heavily dependent on how useful is the product now, is it ready to meet the customer’s requirement in the presence of highly improved products or the use of product during unavailability of other products.