https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ Articles for managing directors, heads of engineering and quality leaders in manufacturing SMEs. Short insights, in-depth guides and costed use cases. en-GB https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ceo-secret-product-manager/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ceo-secret-product-manager/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTThe founder’s gut built the company but no longer scales at ten products and several markets. Why technical depth is not product leadership.Product management and innovation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/quote-automation-manufacturing/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/quote-automation-manufacturing/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTFive AI applications around enquiries and quotes in machinery manufacturing, with hours, setup costs and payback for a reference company of 100 staff.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/order-processing-automation-manufacturing/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/order-processing-automation-manufacturing/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTFive AI applications for order processing and purchasing in machinery manufacturing, costed: hours, setup, payback, and where automation does not pay.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-technical-documentation-manufacturing/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-technical-documentation-manufacturing/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTOperating manuals, specifications, standards checks, translation, knowledge search: five AI applications for technical documentation at machine makers, costed.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-field-service-manufacturing/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-field-service-manufacturing/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTPre-qualifying service requests, finding spare parts, reports from notes, securing fault knowledge: four AI applications for machinery service, costed.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-complaint-management-8d-report/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-complaint-management-8d-report/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMT8D reports, complaint clustering, audit preparation and inspection instructions with AI: four applications for machinery makers, costed.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-production-maintenance/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-production-maintenance/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTShift handover logs, work instructions, downtime analysis and lessons learned: four AI applications for machinery makers, with setup costs and payback.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-administration-reporting-onboarding/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-administration-reporting-onboarding/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:00:00 GMTManagement reporting automation, job adverts with initial screening, onboarding support: three AI applications, costed, and where the EU AI Act sets limits.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/diagnosis-before-automation/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/diagnosis-before-automation/Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMTA falling margin looks like a cost problem and is usually a process problem. Why treating symptoms treats the wrong thing, and what a real diagnosis delivers.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-learning-paradox/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-learning-paradox/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMTJuniors deliver in hours what used to take days, but where do they still learn to judge results? Why AI raises the floor and endangers the ceiling.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/bus-factor/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/bus-factor/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMTThe best design engineer retires in four months, with 33 years of knowledge in his head. How to reduce your bus factor and capture expertise in weeks.Leadership, organisation and change https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-adoption-one-desk/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-adoption-one-desk/Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMTThree training courses changed nothing. One hour on his own projects turned a sceptical 30-year veteran into the fastest AI user in the room. How it works.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-governance-stop-button/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/ai-governance-stop-button/Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:45:01 GMTA documented kill switch, a drifting AI quoting system and a year of losses. Why AI governance fails on culture, not on paperwork, and how to test yours.AI and automation https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/slow-hr-processes/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/slow-hr-processes/Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:16:51 GMTA key developer quit over a delayed raise, and the correct process cost 20 times the increase. Why slow HR processes lose key people, and what helps.Leadership, organisation and change https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/the-difference-between-kpis-vs-metrics-in-rd/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/the-difference-between-kpis-vs-metrics-in-rd/Fri, 04 Oct 2024 09:18:05 GMTMetrics show how R&D work runs, KPIs show whether it reaches the goal. The difference explained, with examples for engineering teams.R&D organisation and performance https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/5-reasons-why-rd-projects-fail-and-how-to-fix-them/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/5-reasons-why-rd-projects-fail-and-how-to-fix-them/Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:09:12 GMTMost unsuccessful R&D projects fail for the same reasons: unclear requirements, weak management, too few resources, unrealistic timelines. How to fix each.R&D organisation and performance https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/7-rd-engineering-metrics-automotive-machinery/https://changeconsulting.io/en/insights/7-rd-engineering-metrics-automotive-machinery/Sat, 01 Jun 2024 07:54:22 GMTSeven R&D performance metrics for automotive and machinery, with benchmark values: time to market, first pass yield, R&D intensity and more.R&D organisation and performance