Client first approached Inkling about using prediction markets for product optimization: trying to understand product development issues earlier in the development life cycle. Soon the corporate strategy group heard of these efforts and launched another pilot asking broader questions about corporate performance metrics. The marketplace has moved beyond the pilot phase and is now considered a key initiative with a wide range of use cases.
Participants
Internal employees, all levels up to Sr. Vice President
Primary Use
Predicting product quality issues early in the development life cycle
Input to program managers on realism of major project milestones
Measure of key financial performance metrics
Likelihood of merger and acquisition activity of competitors and business partners
Sample Questions
How many critical bugs will be in the bug tracking system for Product X by Y date?
Will outsource supplier of widget X fulfill their order by the agreed date?
Will widget X ordered from outsource supplier have Y flaw?
Will competitor X be able to develop technology capability Y by Z date?
Will quarter over quarter sales increase by at least x% of product X?
Problems Solved
Predicting quality problems before release saves valuable resources
Exposure of schedule discrepancies and project issues has increase probability of on-time delivery
Preemptive marketing activity or other strategic moves can be made in reaction to a high likelihood move by a competitor
