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Majhna in srednje velika podjetja (MSP) so morala za preživetje na današnjem visoko konkurenčnem globalnem trgu preiti z zaporednega na sočasni razvoj izdelka, ki omogoča znatno skrajšanje razvojnih ciklov, znižanje stroškov in zagotavljanje visoke kakovosti izdelkov. Kljub številnim prednostim pa sočasni razvoj ne naslavlja izzivov, ki so povezani z vse večjo negotovostjo, nenehno spreminjajočim se okoljem in nestabilnimi zahtevami. Potencialno rešitev predstavljajo bolj fleksibilni in na vrednost osredotočeni pristopi agilnega projektnega vodenja, značilni za razvoj programske opreme. V okviru doktorskega dela smo dobre prakse agilnega projektnega vodenja ustrezno prilagodili in jih kombinirali s principi sočasnega razvoja izdelka. Na podlagi podrobnega pregleda literature in študije primera v slovenskem srednje velikem proizvodnem podjetju smo oblikovali splošno uporaben hibridni model agilnega sočasnega razvoja izdelka, ki je specifično primeren za MSP. Model smo nadgradili s ključnimi podpornimi sistemi in konkretnimi smernicami, ki podjetjem omogočajo enostavno uvedbo modela ter njegovo prilagoditev svojim zmožnostim in potrebam. Rezultati raziskav so pokazali, da se z uvedbo predlaganega modela nivo agilnosti znatno zviša, hkrati pa je mogoče opaziti tudi pozitiven vpliv na uspeh projekta. S principi sočasnosti smo zagotovili visoko učinkovitost projektov v smislu časa, stroškov in kakovosti, principi agilnosti pa v razvoj vnesejo potrebno fleksibilnost ter omogočajo hiter in učinkovit odziv na spremembe in večje zadovoljstvo deležnikov. In order to survive in today’s highly competitive global market, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had to transition from sequential to concurrent product development, which significantly shortens development cycles, reduces costs and ensures high product quality. Despite its many advantages, concurrent product development does not address the challenges related to today’s ever-growing uncertainty, constantly changing environment and unstable requirements. A potential solution to this problem could be found in more flexible and value-driven agile project management approaches typical of software development. In the doctoral thesis, we adapted the best practices of agile project management and combined them with concurrent product development principles. Based on a thorough literature review and a case study in a Slovenian medium-sized manufacturing company, we developed a generally applicable agile concurrent product development hybrid that is specifically suitable for SMEs. The model is upgraded with the key support systems and concrete guidelines that allow SMEs to easily implement and adapt the model to their capabilities and needs. The results of the research showed that the introduction of the proposed model significantly increases the level of agility. Additionally, a positive impact on project success can be observed. The concurrency principles focus on high project efficiency in terms of time, cost and quality, while agility principles ensure the necessary flexibility and enable quick and efficient response to change, and thus greater stakeholder satisfaction.

In today's highly dynamic and unpredictable project environment, companies need to be able to manage changes quickly and effectively, otherwise, the final product will not be current and will only go to waste. Traditional project management approaches that focus on planning are no longer efficient and companies are forced to adopt new ways of working. As a result, more flexible agile project management (APM) approaches have emerged over the last decades. Originally developed for the software industry, APM is now increasingly recognized and adopted also by other industry sectors. However, due to some discipline-specific differences, the adoption of APM by non-software companies is challenging and requires many adjustments and high financial input. While the larger organizations have sufficient resources to make such a transition, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) generally cannot afford to do so, and therefore need alternative strategies to increase their agility and stay competitive on the global market. In this paper, we present a case study of a Slovenian medium-sized manufacturing company that implemented only certain APM practices separately and not as part of a structured APM methodology, and still managed to achieve significant benefits: improved communication, faster detection of discrepancies, more effective problem-solving and greater flexibility. The results also suggest that APM practices, even when implemented separately, positively impact project success in terms of both efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction, and can thus help in establishing an economically, socially, and environmentally more sustainable workplace.

In order to survive in today's highly competitive global market, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had to transition from sequential to concurrent product development, which significantly shortens development cycles, reduces costs, and ensures high product quality. Despite its many benefits, concurrent product development is still based on detailed upfront planning and cannot address the challenges related to today's ever-growing uncertainty, constantly changing environment, and unstable requirements. A potential solution to this problem could be in more flexible and value-driven agile project management (APM) approaches, typical of software development. In this paper, we propose a new product development model specifically appropriate for SMEs that combines concurrent product development principles with APM elements. It is designed as a loop of five repetitive steps (macroplan, microplan, iteration activities, review, and retrospective) that are being executed within individual concurrent development loops. The application of the model is presented on a real case example of process development and small batch manufacture of a complex wiring harness. The study reveals many benefits of the proposed model, such as improved communication, faster detection of discrepancies, more effective problem solving, and greater flexibility. A positive impact on project success is also observed.

Uporaba laserjev ima pomembno vlogo v oftalmologiji. Za varno izvajanje posegov, ki temeljijo na fotodisrupciji, je potrebno dobro razumeti optični preboj v kapljevinah in spremljajoče fizikalne pojave. V kadici z destilirano vodo, ki predstavlja poenostavljen model očesa, smo z 1 ns laserskimi bliski diodno črpanega trdninskega laserja povzročali preboj. Z odklonsko sondo, PZT senzorjem in hitro kamero smo zaznavali kavitacijske mehurčke in udarne valove. Določili smo energijske pragove za preboj in maksimalne polmere mehurčkov pri različnih oddaljenostih mesta preboja od stene kadice. Opazovali smo dinamiko mehurčkov v bližini trdne meje in proste površine ter odboje udarnih valov. Ugotovili smo, da so uporabljene detekcijske metode ustrezne in zanesljive ter omogočajo ponovljive meritve. Lasers are an important instrument in ophthalmology. To provide safe photodisruption-based procedures, laser-induced breakdown in liquids and corresponding physical phenomena must be well understood. We used a diode-pumped solid-state laser with 1 ns pulses to induce breakdown in distilled water in a cell. Cavitation bubbles and shock waves were detected using beam-deflection probe, PZT sensor and high-speed camera. We determined threshold energies for laser-induced breakdown and maximal bubble radii at different distances between the breakdown volume and the cell wall. We analyzed bubble and shock wave dynamics near a solid boundary and a free surface. We established, that the used detection methods are suitable and reliable.