The following is the type of model used by Enterprise Ireland's Design Service to guide clients through the product development process
Important differentiation aspects?
What are they?
Do they represent an innovative step?
How is this better than what is currently on the market?
Is there an opportunity in the market?
Product specification?
How well does it define fitness for purpose of the product?
What materials are used?
Are they the best for the job?
Are they compatible with the process (consider food etc)?
Are materials compatible in combination (corrosion etc)?
Will there be wear problems?
Computer Aided Design?
Is CAD used in the design?
Does the firm use CAM?
Is value engineering / value analysis used?
Product failure modes?
What are they and how are they dealt with in the design?
Consequences of failure?
Is the product suitable for the target market?
Reliability analysis?
How do we know the product will perform its functions accurately and with the expected result?
Durability analysis?
Have we estimated how long the product will last?
Life testing?
Have we backed up our reliability and durability analyses?
Prototyping?
Do we know the product actually works? Is it right for the market?
Health and Safety evaluation?
Has a comprehensive hazard identification and related risk assessment been carried out and have
appropriate control measures been specified ?
Intellectual property rights?
Is the product patentable?
Commercialisation?
What steps are necessary to bring the working prototype to a commercial sample stage?
Standards?
What materials and performance standards should the product conform to?
Relevant EU directives?
What EU directives must the product meet in order to be allowed free movement in the EU ?
Product Manufacture?
What resources are required for manufacture?
What will the lead time be?
Do we have the resources to manufacture it?
Are any special environmental issues involved?
Skills requirements?
Are there special skills or training requirements associated with the product manufacture ?