The evaluation of manufacturing issues in the product development process

Muller, M. and Fairlie-Clarke, A.C. (2003) The evaluation of manufacturing issues in the product development process. Materials Processing Technology, 138(1-3), pp. 2-8. (doi: 10.1016/S0924-0136(03)00031-1)

Abstract

Many companies still do not achieve the success rates they desire with new product introductions to the market. A method has been developed to aid companies to self-evaluate their product development processes (PDP). The method meets an identified need for a non-prescriptive procedure to evaluate an existing or proposed PDP at a detailed level, both in the context of the company's own products, processes, procedures and markets, and in the context of accepted good practice. The specification and development of the process and facilities needed for the manufacture of a product are identified as fundamental generic issues within the PDP that must be handled effectively to achieve successful product outcomes. The paper describes the main constructs of the evaluation method in relation to manufacturing issues, and presents results and findings from trials conducted in industry. It is seen that great care is needed to ensure that company practitioners make objective assessments of the important factors. Further work is planned to develop the method as an interactive computer tool and to conduct more trials.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Final version as accepted by Materials Processing Technology supplied by the author
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fairlie-Clarke, Dr Anthony
• Authors: Muller, M., and Fairlie-Clarke, A.C.
• Subjects: T Technology > TS Manufactures
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Materials Processing Technology
• Publisher: Elsevier Science B.V.
• ISSN: 0924-0136
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
• First Published: First published in Materials Processing Technology 138(1-3):2-8
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.