Product development does not always need to be groundbreaking blue sky work. For existing products, product development should be a continuous incremental improvement process. Well executed incremental product development eradicates problems as they occur and adds features and options as needed. New customer requirements are incorporated providing new sales and extending the life of the product. Product development does not need to be a massive project. One person or a small team can usually achieve incremental product development for a number of products.
Problems:
Without, development, products become static and quickly obsolete. Product manufacturing problems accumulate and operational problems draw customer attention. Product life shortens as a product becomes dated and competitors offer new solutions.
When production demands drive engineering schedules, product development work often gets low priority. The business focusses on the immediate priorities delivering products to customers. When improvements occur, little of this information passes to the broader product range.
Solution:
For each product located in a standard product library, maintain a list of improvements required. Review the proposed changes to ensure they add value. Prioritise to implement the most beneficial improvements first. Routinely schedule product development work outside of production workload. Product development should retain the same modular principles as used by product standardisation. Improvements should be carried out simultaneously to all components eligible for change.
Changes resulting from product development may have implications for other products or components. The product engineer should look at how the change may affect interfaces or operational factors. Review documentation linked to the product and ensure the product continues to comply with technical or statutory standards. Ensure the cost base is brought up to date.
Closely monitor product development changes after implementation. Does the product continue to perform as expected? Are the changes welcome by customers?
Advantages from different perspectives
Frequent availability of new features and options
Continuous product improvement
The company listens to feedback
Continuous product improvement
Better product development planning
Extended product life
New marketing opportunities
Manufacturing optimisation
Increased customer satisfaction as customers receives products faster with fewer errors.
Increased profitability with the reduction of cost and risk, while improving productivity
Better product development planning
Increased profitability with the reduction of cost and risk, while improving productivity
Frequent availability of new features and options
Continuous product improvement
The company listens to feedback
Increased customer satisfaction as customers receives products faster with fewer errors.
Continuous product improvement
Better product development planning
Manufacturing optimisation
Extended product life
The company listens to feedback
Increased profitability with the reduction of cost and risk, while improving productivity
Continuous product improvement
Manufacturing optimisation
Further help and assistance
Gatehouse Design are specialists in product standardisation, product configuration and design automation. We can help companies develop highly effective product strategies, maximising profitability, productivity and customer satisfaction. We can help you implement incremental product development and improve the efficiency of your business. Please contact us to discuss any product design related issues that you may have.
Peter Slee-Smith founded Gatehouse Design in 2012, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with more than 30 years experience in industrial design. Peter qualified with a Masters Degree and has held senior positions in many leading engineering and product manufacturing companies. He is passionate about product design efficiency and has written many articles on the subject. Based in Littleport just outside Ely in Cambridgeshire, Gatehouse Design specialises in product standardisation, configuration and design automation.
