1. Appoint a transdisciplinary project manager

The first task in an open innovation project is to appoint a project manager to coordinate the development of a complex product. This project manager will have to integrate the technical (specification, design, manufacturing, testing) and management dimensions of the project (planning, organization, steering, control). Throughout the project, the project manager will coordinate tasks between players and monitor activities. He or she will also be responsible for motivating and managing the project. The multi-disciplinary nature of mechatronics calls for a broad profile in both technical fields (mechanics, electronics, etc.) and management fields (organization, management, etc.).