Product Development Process

Chapter 2 Ulrich and Eppinger - Product Design and Development


A Generic Development Process


0. Planning
1. Concept Development
2. System Level Design
3. Detail Design
4. Testing and Refinement
5. Production Ramp-up



Details of the Steps

0. Planning
1. Concept Development

In this phage needs of the market and the target market are identified first. Based on the needs, product concepts are generated. They are evaluated marketers as well as product development team and one or more concepts are selected for further development and testing. A concept is a description of the form, function, and features of product. Thus specifications of the product based on the concept are developed. For evaluation of each concept, an analysis of competitive products, and the revenues expected from the concept and the fixed cost and variable cost of the concept are also provided.

2. System Level Design

Based on the concept design or designs approved for further development, the product architecture is now created. Architecture defines the subsystems and components and provides a description of function of each component and subassembly and how as a whole they satisfy all the requirements of the customers. Thus the final assembly scheme for the product is specified.  As output of this phase of development, a geometric layout of the product, functional specifications of each subsystem, component are provided. A preliminary process flow chart for the final assembly process is also created. The article on "Product Architecture" will contain the steps followed to complete the system level design.

3. Detail Design
4. Testing and Refinement
5. Production Ramp-up


Updated on 24 August 2019, 2 August 2016