The one about the fat man who bought a treadmill

Posted by Jeff Waters on February 20, 2009
Filed Under: CAE, Engineering Strategy

I spent most of 2008 studying the issues that lead to either success or failure with new, upfront CAE implementations. You’ll find most of my conclusions in the Implementing Upfront CAE section of this blog.

I also commissioned an artist to sum up the biggest problem I found:

The artist only charges $2, so it understandably took awhile to arrive! The point is simply that companies spend a massive amount of time and energy selecting upfront CFD or FEA software, but often act like getting the Purchase Order across the finish line is an innate accomplishment.

“We bought it! Phew… that’s done. Let’s move on to the next thing.”

The majority of companies that succeed with upfront CAE follow the path described in my post on The Human Side of a CAE Software Investment.

Definitely worth considering in this economic climate. You probably have untapped (and already purchased) efficiencies hiding under your nose!

  • http://www.cramco.com/ Bob Cramblitt

    Good post, Jeff. “Field of Dreams” did a lot of damage with that “if you build it they will come” line!

    Great use of the cartoon to emphasize your point.

    Bob

  • http://www.cramco.com Bob Cramblitt

    Good post, Jeff. “Field of Dreams” did a lot of damage with that “if you build it they will come” line!

    Great use of the cartoon to emphasize your point.

    Bob

  • http://www.derrekcooper.com/ derrek cooper

    agree with bob, dude. I had an interesting discussion along the same lines. We can make the software super simple, easy to identify the ROI, but if the guy just doesn’t get it, they will fail.

  • http://www.derrekcooper.com derrek cooper

    agree with bob, dude. I had an interesting discussion along the same lines. We can make the software super simple, easy to identify the ROI, but if the guy just doesn’t get it, they will fail.

  • Jeff Waters

    Thanks guys. I hope this subtle point comes across: I don’t blame customers who do this or think they are in some way losers. It’s just that upfront CAE takes a little more attention than people might expect in the beginning.

    Since the target audience has so many diverse responsibilities on their plates, it’s totally understandable that they’d lose track of the benefit and skills for upfront CAE if they don’t get a chance to use it on something real IMMEDIATELY following training.

  • Jeff Waters

    Thanks guys. I hope this subtle point comes across: I don’t blame customers who do this or think they are in some way losers. It’s just that upfront CAE takes a little more attention than people might expect in the beginning.

    Since the target audience has so many diverse responsibilities on their plates, it’s totally understandable that they’d lose track of the benefit and skills for upfront CAE if they don’t get a chance to use it on something real IMMEDIATELY following training.

  • http://www.portabletreadmillsale.net/ portable_treadmill

    Bravo, Bros! keep going like this, more good info again.