Last updated on Aug 28, 2024

You're integrating new tech into automotive systems. How do you handle stakeholder expectations effectively?

Integrating new technology into automotive systems is a complex task that requires careful management of stakeholder expectations. As an automotive engineer, you understand the importance of balancing innovation with practicality. It's essential to ensure that the stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and customers, are aligned with the project's goals and understand the benefits and limitations of the new technology. Clear communication, setting realistic goals, and having a robust testing and feedback loop are key to managing expectations and successfully implementing new automotive technologies.

1 Understand Needs

To effectively handle stakeholder expectations, you must first thoroughly understand their needs and concerns. Engage with stakeholders through meetings or surveys to gather insights into what they hope to achieve with the new technology. Whether it's improved safety features, better fuel efficiency, or advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), knowing their priorities helps you tailor your approach. This understanding enables you to set clear objectives and manage expectations from the onset, ensuring that the technology integration aligns with the stakeholders' goals.

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2 Set Realistic Goals

Once you have a clear understanding of stakeholder needs, setting realistic goals is crucial. You should communicate what the new technology can achieve and within what timeframe. Overpromising can lead to disappointment and erode trust, so it's important to be transparent about potential challenges and limitations. Establishing a timeline with milestones for development, testing, and implementation helps stakeholders visualize the process and sets a clear path forward.

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Teja Ayyagari

Senior CAE Engineer @ Volvo Group | Structure Simulation
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One key tip to keep in mind whenever you are presenting the new tech/new functionality into the system. Always quantify your outcomes/outputs you will be achieving by this implementation and backup those values with some good investigation and thorough realistic research. Stakeholders often like to hear the numbers and like to see how you have done the proof of concept. When your outcomes and proof of concept is concrete then it would be easy to convince any stakeholder.

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3 Effective Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of managing expectations. Keep stakeholders informed about progress, setbacks, and changes in the project's scope. Use language that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders to explain complex automotive engineering concepts. Regular updates, whether through formal reports or informal meetings, help maintain trust and ensure that stakeholders feel involved in the process.

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4 Involve Stakeholders

Involvement of stakeholders throughout the integration process is vital. Invite them to participate in key decisions and consider their feedback seriously. This collaborative approach not only improves the final outcome by incorporating diverse perspectives but also helps stakeholders take ownership of the new technology. Their active involvement can lead to better acceptance and smoother implementation when the technology is rolled out.

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5 Test Thoroughly

Thorough testing of the new technology is non-negotiable. Real-world testing scenarios provide valuable data that can reassure stakeholders about the technology's reliability and safety. Share test results openly, including any issues encountered, and explain how they will be addressed. This transparency in the testing phase builds confidence in the technology and demonstrates your commitment to delivering a quality product.

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Joel Mulwa

Automotive Technician
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Another critical point is SIMPLICITY OF DESIGN.This is a crucial determinant on how fast the market will adopt to the new tech to solve a particular need without incurring time and cost, helping you set a primary standard that will enable you to compete with imitation in the future.

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6 Manage Risks

Finally, managing risks associated with new technology integration is essential for meeting stakeholder expectations. Identify potential risks early and develop mitigation strategies. Whether it's supply chain disruptions, technical failures, or regulatory hurdles, having contingency plans in place reassures stakeholders that you are prepared to handle challenges and keep the project on track.

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Teja Ayyagari

Senior CAE Engineer @ Volvo Group | Structure Simulation
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A general practise which I usually follow whenever I check for the possible implementations of new tech into the full vehicle system is: 1. Do a through FMEA’s (be it a Design - DFMEA’s or Production level - PFMEA’s) 2. You want to make sure the design/new tech is align with the DFM (design for manufacturing) so that it is easy during the manufacturing phases. 3. Priority is to check the safety risks by doing some virtual crash testings. 4. Other normal methods are: preparing a risk matrix, decision trees or bowtie models.

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You're integrating new tech into automotive systems. How do you handle stakeholder expectations effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand Needs

2 Set Realistic Goals

3 Effective Communication

4 Involve Stakeholders

5 Test Thoroughly

6 Manage Risks

Automotive Engineering

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You're integrating new tech into automotive systems. How do you handle stakeholder expectations effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Understand Needs

2 Set Realistic Goals

3 Effective Communication

4 Involve Stakeholders

5 Test Thoroughly

6 Manage Risks

Automotive Engineering

Rate this article

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