Semiconductor Shortage Solutions: How Developers & Designers Can Help

Semiconductor Shortage Projected to Continue

According to Matt Murphy, CEO of Marvell Technology, a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer, the current global chip shortage is anticipated to persist well into 2022 and potentially beyond.

The repercussions of this shortage are already being felt globally. For example, Opel, a German automotive manufacturer, has been forced to temporarily suspend certain operations until the beginning of the following year.

Impact on the Automotive Industry

This situation isn't unique to Opel. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that U.K. new car registrations in September reached their lowest level since 1998.

Automotive production worldwide is significantly hampered by the lack of available semiconductors, creating an inability to fulfill existing consumer demand for vehicles.

Broader Effects Beyond Automotive

The effects of the shortage extend beyond the automotive sector. Consumer electronics, which experienced a demand surge during the pandemic, are now also facing disruptions.

Research indicates that smartphone production will be more severely impacted than previously estimated.

Gaming Console Availability

Phil Spencer, Executive Vice President of Gaming at Microsoft, has stated that supply constraints will continue to affect the availability of both Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles into the next year.

Manufacturing Industry Challenges

Recent research conducted by The Qt Company in collaboration with Forrester highlights the challenges facing the broader manufacturing industry.

The study revealed that a significant 80% of organizations are currently experiencing difficulties in the production of digital products and services.

A substantial 62% of these organizations directly attribute these production issues to delays in the delivery of semiconductor components.

These findings underscore the widespread and continuing impact of the global chip shortage on numerous industries.

Addressing the Challenges of Rapid Digital Growth

The year 2020 witnessed an extraordinary surge in the demand for digital products and services, a trend that continues to persist. Our research, conducted during the first six months of 2021, indicated that 82% of companies recognize the necessity of rapidly launching new intelligent or interconnected offerings to sustain or enhance their competitive standing.

This imperative translates, for 79% of organizations, into a concentrated effort to expedite their software R&D lifecycle. Accelerated innovation is now a critical business requirement.

Despite the emphasis on speed, businesses are encountering substantial obstacles due to delays in the supply of semiconductors and extended software development timelines.

These disruptions are frequently extending project durations by several months. Furthermore, the ongoing developer skills shortage adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Although there isn't a single, immediate solution to these shortages in talent and semiconductor availability, organizations can implement changes to achieve positive and prompt results.

These improvements center around the engineers and designers responsible for the creation and delivery of products and services dependent on semiconductors and embedded systems.

Key Areas for Improvement

• Focusing on optimizing the software development process.
• Investing in tools and technologies that enhance developer productivity.
• Prioritizing upskilling and reskilling initiatives to address the talent gap.

Addressing these areas will be crucial for navigating the current challenges and maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Re-evaluating Development Methodologies

Organizations are now required to scrutinize their operational procedures to implement swift and impactful enhancements, preventing potential crises. A common observation within the product life cycle is a fragmented approach to both design and development.

This fragmentation manifests not only in team interactions – or the frequent lack thereof – from project initiation but also in the selection and utilization of software and development tools.

Consequently, a primary obstacle to rapid and efficient mobile application development arises: protracted and intricate feedback cycles between developers and designers.

A disparity frequently exists between developers, focused on the technical realization of digital products, and designers, prioritizing aspects such as user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).

The Importance of Unified Teams

These two crucial functions often function as separate entities, despite the necessity for synchronized collaboration. Facilitating seamless cooperation between development and design teams is paramount.

This collaboration is essential for accelerating the development timeline and mitigating delays stemming from global supply chain issues, such as the ongoing chip shortage.

By breaking down these silos, businesses can streamline their processes and respond more effectively to market demands.

• Improved communication fosters a shared understanding of project goals.
• Faster feedback loops reduce rework and accelerate iteration.
• A unified approach leads to a more cohesive and user-centric final product.

Ultimately, a more integrated development process is vital for sustained success in today’s dynamic technological landscape.

Streamlining Workflows Through Integration

Integrating development and design methodologies and the tools they utilize can transform design revisions from disruptive events into valuable inputs for the development lifecycle.

This shift helps to dismantle repetitive and time-consuming feedback cycles, ultimately accelerating a brand’s ability to launch new products.

The convergence of design and development, conceptualized as “DevDes” – mirroring the DevOps model for software – fosters collaboration, reduces individual burdens, and simplifies the overall delivery pipeline.

The Importance of Adaptable Tools

To mitigate the impact of current market difficulties, employing cross-platform frameworks and tools is essential.

Digital product leaders must demonstrate adaptability and leverage available resources whenever possible.

For instance, strategic investment in versatile software solutions and platforms compatible with diverse silicon architectures can lessen the consequences of supply chain disruptions.

Beyond Supply Chain Concerns

The advantages extend beyond addressing semiconductor shortages.

Product teams frequently face the challenge of rapidly creating and deploying applications that function seamlessly across a multitude of devices, while still delivering a native-like user experience.

Eliminating departmental barriers and adopting a DevDes strategy, supported by cross-platform frameworks, can significantly accelerate this process.

This approach also empowers teams to continue working within their preferred environments.

Benefits of a DevDes Approach

• Reduced feedback loop times.
• Faster product launches.
• Improved collaboration between teams.
• Increased flexibility in resource utilization.
• Enhanced user experience across multiple platforms.

Ultimately, a DevDes methodology allows organizations to respond more effectively to market demands and deliver innovative products with greater efficiency.

Building Resilient Processes for the Future

As we transition beyond the peak of the pandemic and concentrate on long-term sustainability, the insights gained over the last twenty months must be retained and applied.

Although a comparable, abrupt increase in device demand is improbable, future demand spikes are anticipated. Consumer and business expectations for quicker delivery of superior products, coupled with a fluid experience across a growing range of devices, represent a continuing trend.

The issue of developer burnout has received considerable attention. Maintaining a pace of increased output without providing adequate support is unsustainable in the long run.

Addressing the ongoing skills shortage requires not only training more developers, but also fostering truly integrated collaboration between them and other product team members.

Navigating Ongoing Challenges

The semiconductor shortage will continue to cause disruptions for the foreseeable future. Therefore, businesses must proactively evaluate and refine their current processes.

These improvements will not only assist in overcoming present difficulties but also establish a foundation for future resilience.

Focusing on the individuals and workflows central to the development lifecycle is the crucial first step.

Key Strategies for Future-Proofing

• Prioritize Developer Well-being: Address burnout by providing adequate resources and support.
• Foster Collaboration: Integrate developers closely with other product teams.
• Optimize Existing Processes: Identify and implement improvements to navigate supply chain challenges.
• Invest in Skills Development: Continue to train and upskill developers to meet evolving demands.

By implementing these strategies, organizations can build more robust and adaptable development processes.

This will ensure they are well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable environment.