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RC TOM Challenge 2018

November 13, 2018

Read The Full Prompt

The TOM Challenge provides an opportunity for you to continue exploring organizational learning and innovation through the lens of process improvement and/or product development, the focus of RC TOM’s second module. In this challenge, you will investigate how an organization is grappling with machine learning, additive manufacturing, or open innovation. These megatrends are likely to significantly affect how organizations manage process improvement and product development in the coming years of your career. The TOM Challenge requires you to (1) conduct research and write an essay that examines how one organization is facing a particular aspect of one of these megatrends, and (2) write six comments that share your reflections on some of your section mates’ essays.

Your essay should address four questions in the context of the organization you choose:

  1. Why do you think the megatrend you selected is important to your organization’s management of process improvement and/or product development?
  2. What is the organization’s management doing to address this issue in the short term (the next two years) and the medium term (two to ten years out)?
  3. What other steps do you recommend the organization’s management take to address this issue in the short and medium terms?
  4. In the context of this organization, what are one or two important open questions related to this issue that you are unsure about that merit comments from your classmates?

Your essay should convey facts, analysis, and your recommendations. It should focus on a single organization (e.g., a single company, non-profit organization, or government agency) and a concern related to one megatrend. It is fine if the concern you choose relates to other megatrends that the organization is facing, but that’s not required. Roughly a third of your essay should be dedicated to each of the first three questions, with just a few sentences dedicated to the fourth question. Your essay should be at least 700 words but no more than 800 words, and must conclude with a word count in parentheses (such as 778 words).

When posting your essay to Open Knowledge, be sure to enter “Machine Learning”, “Additive Manufacturing”, or “Isolationism” in the Topics field.

More details on research, sourcing, deadlines, and other matters are provided in the RC TOM Challenge: 2018 note.  For assistance with the Open Knowledge platform during business hours (9:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F), email openknowledge@hbs.edu. A short video with instructions on how to post an essay to this platform is available at https://d3.harvard.edu/platform-rctom/how-to/.

Submitted (926)

GuiaBolso: How machine-learning is changing competition landscape for Financial Institutions in Brazil
John Bonham
Last modified on November 11, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Machine-learning is disrupting how companies manage credit default risks allowing medium banks and fintechs to produce robust prediction models obtaining supreme accuracy and speed. GuiaBolso, one of the main fintechs in Brazil, is leveraging its large customer information database with [...]
Anticipatory shipping—retail’s crystal ball?
sfadavi
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Can products be on their way to you even before you think of ordering them? Can a company accurately anticipate your order and ship before you even place it? Amazon and other online retailers are investing in machine learning to [...]
Can artificial intelligence help address the complexities of non-artificial mind?
Me
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Can an app powered by machine learning be better and faster at diagnosing mental illness than humans?
How Salesforce is using machine learning to unlock more value for its customers (and their customers)
arman
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:44 pm
In recent years, machine learning has become a paramount technology for CRM products, and Salesforce is currently working on implementing an innovative machine learning strategy to fuel its future growth.
Keeping It Fresh in Packaged Food: An Examination of Open Innovation at Mondelez International
Henry Ford
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 6:31 pm
This piece briefly examines the adoption of various open innovation practices by Mondelez International to better react to competitive pressures and position itself for long-term sustainable growth
Building Blocks: Winsun’s Application of 3D Printing in the Construction Industry
ST
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Additive manufacturing is poised to disrupt the construction industry with firms like Winsun successfully building 3D printed buildings. 3D construction is both more efficient and less costly than traditional construction methods.
Repair Time Reductions On Submarines Through Additive Manufacturing
A. Ham
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Additively manufactured parts could drastically reduce the time required to perform repairs on board submarines and eliminate portions of the Navys bloated supply chain
One Fish, Two Fish: How Machine Learning Can Enhance Fisheries Management
jack schlossberg
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Overfishing has decimated global fish stocks and threatens food security for billions down the line, but machine learning helps regulators meet this urgent challenge with new capabilities and better science.
Salesforce and the Machine (Learning Revolution)
Cameron Armstrong
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
Machine learning is here to stay and Salesforce is poised to ride the nascent revolution of analytics into the future and beyond...if they can adapt their successes to other parts of their growth strategy.
Disney World: The Happiest Place on Earth (at a 99% Confidence Interval)
Mike Sobolewski
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Walt Disney World is using wearable technology and machine learning to provide a more personalized (and more efficient) experience for their visitors.
Adidas: Eliminating prototyping and seeking personalization
r cai
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:17 pm
Adidas is using a unique 3D printing technology to explore the world of custom-crafted midsoles designed to enhance performance in running footwear by ensuring comfort and cushioning while maintaining stability and support.
Increasing financial security with machine learning
DSR Section I
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 7:50 am
Introduction: using machine learning in household finance Household finance is one area where machine learning has the potential to positively impact consumers’ lives at scale. Mint.com has developed algorithms to classify each of its 10 million users’ expenses and predict [...]
Dealing with Changing Consumer Preferences in Traditional “Big-Beer”: Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Foray into Innovation and Disruption
D Gunju
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Over the past decade, consumer preferences around the world have steadily shifted away from traditional light beers towards liquor and stronger flavor, artisanal craft beers. Large scale beer brewers are forced to pursue radical innovation in regaining its consumer base. [...]
Barrick – mining data for gold
Alexander Levinskiy
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Traditional hard rock mining has nearly reached its limits of efficiency. Data mining is coming to the rescue with machines learning how to extract the most value.
Spotify: Can machine learning drive content generation?
Amelia Elverson
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 10:47 am
Spotify is using machine learning and artificial intelligence to explore both content curation and creation.
Say “Helio” to the future of private investing
Ray Aleks
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 3:45 pm
CircleUp’s Helio software has created an edge for its freshly raised consumer-focused investment fund. But can its edge last?
3D Printed Sneakers and Mass Customization – Is Adidas There Yet?
Kubs
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Adidas, a sporting goods giant, believes 3D printing is huge opportunity to disrupt footwear product development and supply chain. Is it another marketing gimmick or imminent future?
Big Data in Sports: How S.L. Benfica is Using Machine Learning to Build a European Football Powerhouse
ThierryHenry14
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 10:36 pm
This article explores the use of machine-learning to optimize talent development and team management in European football.
Open for Business: Harnessing Open Innovation at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Danny Noonan
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Still recovering from record-setting snowfall in the winter of 2015 that crippled public transit in greater Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) faced a projected $335 million operating budget deficit and a $7 billion maintenance backlog. Searching for innovative [...]
An Old Dog Learning New Tricks? How P&G Gillette is using 3D printing to mass-customize its razors.
Thinking Out Loud
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Making cutting edge products since 1900, Procter and Gamble Gillette is the market leader in the hyper competitive shaving and grooming category. Can Gillette use 3D printing technology to design artistic, innovative and customizable razors in its bid to stay [...]
Fighting Organizational Inertia in Aerospace
Jillian Cornsby
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Additive manufacturing threatens to fundamentally disrupt the way parts are designed in the aerospace industry - can an established player like Rolls-Royce display enough agility to stay ahead in the market and capitalize on this new technology?
Revolutionizing personal credit with machine learning
Nazeya
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Avant uses machine learning to open access to credit to thousands shunned by traditional banks
IBM Watson for Cybersecurity Takes Center Court at Wimbledon!
iamroot
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm
141-year-old tennis tournament – The Championships, Wimbledon utilizes IBM Watson to protect their brand against increasing risk of cybercrime.
Facebook’s Negotiating Chatbots – Deal or No Deal?
LW
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 7:56 pm
With machine learning, Facebook has built robots that can negotiate and even lie; what are the business and societal implications for Facebook and its users?
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