These factors drive project length:

• The product's automation level on the Production line;
• The number of R&D projects underway at the same time;
• The proximity of the product's new location to an existing product in your company's line.
  

The higher the product’s production line automation rating, the longer the project. As a rule of thumb, you can keep up with the drift rate in the High Tech segment with automation ratings as high as 5.5 or even 6.0, provided that you drive the projects into December and revise products every year. In the Low Tech segment you can automate to 7.0 or perhaps 8.0 and keep up using the same tactics.

The more projects that you have underway, the longer each project takes. Five projects (the maximum) increases each project's length by 20%.