Methodology and Software for Maximizing Semiconductor R&D Return on Investment

Alexander A. Silbey, Director of Professional Services Numetrics Management Systems, Inc.

Abstract

The management of IC design projects is in disarray. IC design teams consistently underestimate design complexity with respect their productivity. The result: 85 percent of projects miss schedules by 6 to 12 months??? Moreover, critical R&D manpower is often wasted on projects that are eventually cancelled as a result of poor schedule forecasting and resourcing. Gaining control over the IC development process results in fewer project cancellations, increased design productivity greater profitability.

This presentation explains a methodology and system that rapidly and automatically synthesizes accurate project plans. The system enables the exploration of project plan alternatives while trading off budget, schedule and product content against each other. By creating a valid project plan and tracking deviations from the plan, teams accurately predict and control their work. This provides a basis for learning and improvement -- it exposes the design process bottlenecks and identifies factors that perturb the process most significantly.

Curriculum Vitae

Alexander A. Silbey has 19 years of experience leading high-speed, high-complexity IC projects in the computing industry. Silbey holds fourteen patents in the areas of computer and networking hardware, has co-authored a textbook on computer architecture and has published numerous articles. As Director of Professional Services at Numetrics Management Systems, Inc., Silbey is responsible for making customers successful with the Product Development Management System. Prior to Numetrics, Silbey was responsible for design tools, methodologies and server farms at Silicon Graphics. Prior to SGI, Silbey was head engineer at Supercomputer Systems, Inc., responsible for the logical and physical CAD teams. Prior to SSI, Silbey held various engineering positions at Gould Electronics. Silbey was awarded two Bachelors degrees (in Electrical Engineering and in Computer Engineering) in 1983 and a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering in 1985.