The Benefits of Agile,
the Needs of HW Development

The MAHD Advantage:
Project Roi estimator

Introduction

Investing in process improvement should drive measurable business results. Based on experience and customer feedback, the MAHD Framework consistently accelerates time-to-market—delivering solutions, on average, 25% faster—while increasing customer value and reducing costs.

These benefits directly impact an organization’s bottom line. To estimate the potential ROI for one of your projects using the MAHD Framework compared to your current approach, use the Project ROI Estimator below. Simply input your project’s key variables to see the results. Hover over the information icon for more details on the input variable.

Directions for Using the Project ROI Estimator

  1. Change the default basic project variables of investment (including R&D expenses and capital) and the estimated or typical duration of the investment before profit occurs. Note investment and profit periods are based on quarters. E.g. 1 year=4 quarters.
  2. Change the default expected overall profit and the time frame this profit will occur. To keep it simple, the model assumes a normal distribution for both the investment and profit.
  3. Enter the discount rate you typically use to justify a project (most companies use between 10% and 15%.) Enter 0 if do not want to discount the cash flows from profit.
  4. Input the improvements you anticipate from implementing the MAHD Framework. On average, organizations achieve a 25% reduction in time-to-market. Estimating increased value can be more challenging, but consider factors like competitive advantage (reduced discounting), higher customer value, and lower costs.

Keep in mind, these results are from a single project. When extrapolated across multiple product releases and your entire portfolio, the impact compounds significantly. It becomes clear that adopting agile isn’t just a good investment—it’s essential for maintaining long-term competitiveness.

Factors Leading to Speed & Value

Agile methods won’t magically deliver great products faster—despite what some consultants may suggest. The benefits of speed and higher customer value come from several key underlying factors:

  • Accelerated project initiation: By starting with focused, collaborative activities instead of lengthy document exchanges, teams can save months on the front end and move quickly in the right direction.
  • Early and continuous alignment on priorities: Agile methods ensure focus, reduce risk, and help teams optimize solutions based on market and customer priorities rather than wish lists or opinions.
  • Faster, more effective decisions: Through rapid learning and execution cycles, teams systematically validate technical and customer assumptions, enabling early, data-driven tradeoffs.

The MAHD Framework, grounded in agile principles, drives significant improvements in these areas—delivering tangible benefits like increased speed and higher customer value.

Traditional NPD vs. MAHD Approach

Traditional NPD vs. MAHD Approach

Investment Inputs

Profit Inputs

Expected Improvements with MAHD

Traditional NPD Approach

MAHD Approach

Where Should You Go Next?

Many companies seek the benefits of Agile and have attempted to apply software-based Agile methods to hardware product development, often with limited success. To discover how the MAHD Framework can accelerate your NPD efforts, download the Intro to MAHD e-book or contact us to discuss your needs.

Learn More About MAHD

Download this 20-page comprehensive Introduction to MAHD E-book to learn about the key elements of the MAHD Framework  including how to initiate and execute agile for hardware projects.

Is MAHD Right For You?

The fastest way to learn if MAHD is right for you is to request a 45-minute overview and discussion of your situation. We can provide an overview of the MAHD Framework and help you determine if MAHD is a good fit for your goals.