Which of the critical factors and key variables described in Section 6 do you think would apply to conventional projects?

Critical Factors. The successful completion of an ongoing R&D project is closely linked to a number of critical factors. If it is determined that any one of the following has deteriorated significantly since the last review, then immediate termination is implied.

1. Government regulations
2. Raw material availability
3. Market conditions
4. Probability of technical success

Key Variables. Variables in the second group are more volatile than those is in the first but are not as strongly critical. A significant deterioration in a minority of them may not measurably affect outcomes. Thus project termination is implied only when a substantial majority have declined since the last review..

I. Environment-related variables

1. Positive chance event
2. Product-life-cycle stage

II. Project-related variables

3. Pressure on project leader
4. R&D manager is project champion
5. Probability of commercial success
6. Support of top management
7. Project personnel commitment
8. Smoothness of technological route
9. End user market
10. Project champion appearing toward end