3.2.3 Conclusions to product design and process development

It is important that there is a clear end to this stage, and also the knowledge available to make the decision to go on or stop the project before the more expensive next two stages. This may not be the time to commercialise or the time to launch, so the project has to be shelved; or it has to be admitted that the product did not fulfil the expectations and the project must stop. Five important outcomes are:

     clearly defined final product prototype with consumer acceptance;

     product specifications including processing method, physical distribution;

     market strategy including distribution, promotion, pricing;

     prediction of investment needed and financial outcomes;

     probability of achieving project completion and financial outcomes.

Think Break 1. For the product design specifications you prepared in the last Think     Break, identify the stages in designing the product prototypes and     developing the process. 2. Create the basic product options by doodling on paper or computer or     on the bench, evaluate them and select the most suitable basic product. 3. Identify the raw materials and processing variables related to the     specified product qualities, and outline an experimental programme to     identify the ranges of variables where the optimum product could lie. 4. Design an acceptable aesthetic product using the basic product,     including appearance, shape, colour, sensory attributes and relating     the product to the present culture of the target consumers. 5. Identify the packaging needs for the product, including protection and     use, and also the needs for promotion of the product. 6. Combine all the knowledge you have so far created, and develop the final     design for total product and package.