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When Katrine joined VELUX, simulations were largely dependent on the initiative of individual engineers. While there were some enthusiastic early adopters, their work was isolated and lacked strategic cohesion. \u201cSimulation was more driven by individual people,\u201d Katrine recalled. Talented engineers were applying simulations to solve specific challenges, but there was no overarching vision guiding the use of simulation as a tool for company-wide impact.<\/p>\n
That changed in 2019, catalyzed by Katrine\u2019s experience at the Simulation Leadership Forum, where industry leaders gathered to discuss best practices and shared visions for simulation-driven innovation. Inspired by this experience, VELUX took a significant step forward by establishing a formal simulation strategy. This strategy, Katrine explains, brought much-needed structure and focus, turning simulation from an isolated tool into a pillar of VELUX\u2019s product development process.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided to actually make a simulation strategy – one that would help us get the most out of these talented individuals and unlock the full potential of simulation-driven development across the company,\u201d she said. As a result, VELUX has been able to transition from a culture where simulation was only sometimes utilized to one where it has become central to their development approach.<\/p>\n
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One of the primary challenges Katrine highlighted in implementing this strategy was aligning simulation efforts with the broader business objectives at VELUX. While the immediate cost-saving benefits of simulation are easy to see, she found it essential to communicate the other, less quantifiable benefits that simulation brings to the table. This includes benefits like reducing project risks, enhancing product quality, and supporting VELUX\u2019s commitment to sustainability.<\/p>\n
Early on, she focused on creating straightforward cost-benefit analyses to demonstrate the tangible savings that simulation could bring. However, she soon realized that focusing solely on cost wasn\u2019t capturing the full picture. Simulation\u2019s role in risk mitigation, for example, is invaluable. By simulating a variety of scenarios, the team can foresee potential issues before they reach the prototype or production stage, saving time, focus, and resources that might otherwise be spent addressing \u201cred flag\u201d issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine adding six months to a project\u2019s timeline due to unforeseen complications,\u201d Katrine explained. \u201cEveryone understands the value of avoiding delays like that.\u201d In a fast-paced industry where market demands shift rapidly, the ability to identify and mitigate risks early on has proven invaluable for VELUX.<\/p>\n
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Another critical outcome of integrating simulation into VELUX\u2019s strategy is the agility it has provided. By utilizing simulations, the team can quickly iterate on designs, test multiple concepts, and make adjustments without the time and cost burdens associated with physical prototyping. This ability to \u201cfail fast\u201d and move on with minimal consequences allows VELUX to respond more effectively to evolving market demands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re able to do a thousand different iterations and zoom in on what\u2019s important,\u201d said Katrine. \u201cThat agility is a key value for VELUX.\u201d \u00a0Simulation-driven development gives VELUX a competitive advantage by allowing it to accelerate the pace of innovation, reduce time to market, and pivot quickly in response to new challenges or opportunities.<\/p>\n
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A crucial aspect of VELUX\u2019s success in implementing a simulation-driven approach lies in fostering collaboration between engineering and management teams. In many companies, the adoption of simulations can create tension, as it may be viewed as a replacement for traditional testing methods. VELUX, however, took a different approach, emphasizing that simulations and prototyping are complementary, not competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus was on how we could make testing and simulation enhance each other,\u201d Katrine explained. \u201cSimulation helps us to create more detailed prototypes, and test results provide insights that feed back into our simulations.\u201d This emphasis on synergy rather than replacement has improved collaboration across teams and helped build a unified approach to product development.<\/p>\n
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The culture of simulation leadership in Denmark has also played an important role in VELUX\u2019s success. Being situated near other companies facing similar challenges allows VELUX to network, share ideas, and learn from their peers\u2019 successes and setbacks. For Katrine, events like the Simulation Leadership Forum have been invaluable, as they bring together leaders from various industries to discuss not only the technical aspects of simulation but also the organizational and cultural challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone you talk to faces the same challenges, regardless of their industry,\u201d Katrine noted. \u201cThe Forum is a place where we can share success stories and also be honest about what\u2019s difficult.\u201d This sense of shared experience and collaboration has enriched VELUX\u2019s approach, allowing the company to draw inspiration from others\u2019 strategies, adapt them to their own needs, and, in turn, help elevate the standards of simulation leadership in the region \u2013 and beyond.<\/p>\n
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Looking forward, Katrine envisions a future where simulation is not just a tool but a core mindset embedded in VELUX\u2019s development process. This involves democratizing simulation so that it\u2019s accessible to more team members, fostering a company-wide understanding of its value, and building a shared commitment to innovation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the beginning, we had a few simulation engineers handling all of the simulations,\u201d she shared. \u201cNow, we\u2019re integrating it into everyday product development processes, and more people are adopting this way of working.\u201d The aim is for simulation-driven development to become second nature to the entire team.<\/p>\n
Katrine is also keeping a close eye on the role that artificial intelligence (AI) will play in shaping the future of simulation. Though the technology is still evolving, Katrine believes that AI will significantly impact simulation, enhancing its predictive power and making it even more valuable in decision-making.<\/p>\n
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VELUX\u2019s journey with simulation-driven innovation serves as a powerful example of how to integrate new technologies strategically and meaningfully. From aligning simulation with business goals to building a culture of collaboration, VELUX has shown that effective simulation leadership requires more than just technology – it requires vision, adaptability, and an emphasis on real-world impact.<\/p>\n
As VELUX continues to refine its simulation-driven approach, they are well-positioned to lead in sustainable, efficient product development. Their story reminds us that simulation\u2019s true power lies not just in its capabilities but in the strategic foresight and cultural commitment that allows those capabilities to reach their full potential.<\/p>\n
Tune in to the full podcast episode to learn more from Katrine on how VELUX is transforming product development with simulation. Whether you’re an engineer, a leader, or simply interested in the future of technology, this conversation is filled with insights that will inspire you to think about simulation in a whole new light.<\/p>\n
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