1. Product Planning Chapter 7

2. Product Protocol • Product protocol is the product definition • Used for technical development • Guide document for ultimate product • Twelve major elements in product protocol • Kahn text pp. 110-111 • Example Kahn text pp. 112-113

3. Engineering-Related Themes • Design for Excellence (DFX) • Defined by Bralla in Kahn p. 113 • Maximize desirable characteristics • Minimize lifetime costs, including manufacturing • Key elements described Kahn text pp. 114-115

4. Major DFX Themes • Function and perform in manner intended • Protect consumers and society from harm • Inherent quality • Reliable • Designed for manufacturing efficiency • Designed for minimal environmental impact • Ease of repair • User ergonomics considered • Appealing to consumers and users • Accessories are carefully considered • Development speed is crucial

5. TQM • Total Quality Management program • Stresses that quality should be inherent in the product rather than tested for at end of production process • TQM guidelines in Kahn pp. 115-116

6. Automated Systems to Help • CAD – computer aided design • CAM – computer aided manufacturing • CAE – computer aided engineering

7. New Processes to Help • QFD – Quality function deployment • Used with DFX • Started in Japanese shipyards in 1960’s • Links customer specs with tech specs • Four major stages • Level 1 (House of Quality) – links customer needs to tech specs • Level 2 – links parts specs to technical specs • Level 3 – links manufacturing process to parts specs • Level 4 – links process specs to manufacturing process

8. Merger of VOE and VOC • VOE – Voice of the Engineer • House of Quality matrix columns • VOC – Voice of the Customer • Primary research • House of Quality matrix rows • Think of the candy bar development exercise

9. TIPS and Kano • TIPS – Theory of Innovative Problem Solving • Originated in Russia • Helps resolve engineering conflicts • Kano – Japanese engineer • Proposed in 1980’s • Assumed (basic) features, expected features, and delighting features

10. Product Use Testing • Alpha testing – in-house testing with employees • Competitors don’t gain information • Less embarrassing when it breaks • Beta testing – limited customer sites • Insight about how it works • Competitors might gain some insights also • Gamma testing – long term testing • Pharma industry is typical

11. Structuring a Product Use Test • Crawford’s five testing dimensions • Test objectives • What do you want to learn • Test group characteristics • Who are the testers and where will they test • Product usage considerations • Product form considerations • Measurement and analysis considerations