Phases in Product Design and Development
Phases in Product Design and Development
1. Idea Generation:
Product development begins with idea generation. The idea generation is the conscious
identification of a product idea that logically addresses an opportunity.
An opportunity is defined as the identification of a gap in “need” and the likelihood that
if a product were developed to fill that need, it would also be “wanted” i.e., there would
be effective consumer demand.
Idea can come from variety of source;
Research based
Reverse Engineering
For the study of competitor’s products, some companies purchase their product and then
carefully dismantle and inspect it, searching for ways to improve their own product, this
study is called reverse engineering.
OR
Reverse engineering is the dismantling and inspecting
of a competitor’s product to discover product improvements.
Research Based:
Research is also a source of idea for new or improved products or services. Many
companies have their own research and development (R&D).
R&D refers to organized efforts to increase scientific knowledge and product or process
innovation & may involve:
1. Basic Research
2. Applied Research
3. Development
Basic Research:
Research done to enhance the understanding of subject (product, problem, opportunity) is
called basic research. Research objective is to advance knowledge about a subject
without commercial applications.
Applied Research:
Research done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to solve/achieve
specific problem/opportunity is called applied research. Research objective is to achieve
the commercial applications.
Development:
It converts results of applied research into commercial applications.
The benefits of successful R&D can be tremendous and the failure of research (product
innovation) leads to huge losses. The benefits and failure effects can be studies on pg #
134-137
2. Feasibility analysis.
Feasibility analysis comparises of following analysis;
• Market analysis
• Economic analysis
• Technical analysis
Market analysis:
İt deals with the demand and need of the product idea,
idea, competition is also analysed.
Economic analysis:
İt deals with development cost and production cost, profit potential.
Technical analysis:
İt deals with capacity requirements and availability, and the skills needed.
Feasibility report also provides answer to the question, Does the idea fit with the
mission?
3. Product specifications:
Product specification involves detailed descriptions of what is needed to meet customer
needs and wants, and requires collaboration between legal, marketing, and operations.
The product features are identified.
4. Process specifications:
Process specification is the next phase on which specifications for the process which will
be needed to produce the product is identified. Detail on pg #133.
5. Prototype development.
Prototype development is the development of samples which are developed to see if there
are any problems with the product or process specifications.
6. Design review.
In design review any necessary changes are
are made or abandon.
7. Market test.
A market test is conducted to determine the extent of consumer acceptance.
8. Product introduction.
Once the market test is successful product is introducedin the market and promoted.
promoted. This
phase is handled by marketing.
9. Follow-up evaluation.
Once the product is in market, it is evaluated, forecasts is refined and changes are
determined if needed .
Difficulties:
Long-standing existing boundaries between design and manufacturing can be
difficult to overcome.
Extra communication and flexibility needed which is difficult to achieve.
Computer-Aided Design:
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) uses computer graphics for product design. Detail on pg
#138.
Benefits of CAD:
• Increases productivity of designers, 3 to 10 times.
• Creates a database for manufacturing information on product specifications.
• Provides possibility of engineering and cost analysis on proposed designs.
Production Requirements:
Design needs to clearly understand the capabilities of production (i.e., equipments, skills,
types of materials, schedules, technologies, special abilities). Designers must take into
account production capabilities as this helps in choosing designs that match capabilities.
Manufacturability
Manufacturability refers to the ease with which products can be fabricated and assembly
which is important for:
Cost
Productivity
Quality
Recycling:
Recycling means recovering materials for future use. Companies recycle for a variety of
reasons;
Cost savings.
Environment concerns.
Environmental regulations.
Remanufacturing:
Remanufacturing refers to refurbishing used products by replacing worn-out or defective
components. Detail on pg # 140.
Component Commonality:
Component commonality is the degree of similarity of features and components. It’s very
beneficial for companies when a part can be used in multiple products. Similar benefits
accrue in services. Detail on pg # 142.
Quality Function Deployment is a structured approach for integrating the “Voice of the
customer” into both the product or service development process. Listening to and
understanding the customer is the central feature of QFD. Detail on pg # 143.
Service Design:
Service:
Something that is done to or for a customer is called service.
Product bundle:
The combination of goods and services provided to a customer is called product bundle.
Service Blueprinting:
A method used in service design to describe and analyze a proposed service.
Operations Strategy:
Product and service design is a fertile area for competitive advantage and increasing
customer satisfaction. Potential sources of such benefits include
1. Increase emphasis on component commonality
2. Packaging products and services to increase sales
3. Consider tactics for mass customization
4. Look for continual improvement
5. Shorten time to get new or redesigned goods and services to the market.
Shorten Time to Market involves
Detail on pg # 149-150.