Research project investigates product development

An ITI product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 29, 2008

Since late 2007, ITI has been working with manufacturers throughout North America and now Europe, to measure the manner, speed and efficiency in which new products are developed.

International TechneGroup Incorporated (ITI) and iTiD Consulting (iTiD) are seeking participants for an ongoing study to determine best-in-class standards for new product development.

Participating organisations will receive, at no cost, a report highlighting study results.

Since late 2007, ITI has been working with manufacturers throughout North America and now Europe, to measure the manner, speed and efficiency in which new products are developed.

The study is a continuation of a program initiated in Japan by iTiD.

Data has been collected from nearly 7000 participants, representing companies around the globe and throughout industry.

The goal is to continue to expand the study globally in order to build upon the current findings.

"As study participation grows we're beginning to see some very interesting trends", explained ITI Chairman, Michael Lemon.

"For example, a growing number of companies are overly dependent on the experience of an aging workforce".

"Often process guidelines or rules are left undocumented with regard to key decisions regarding the manner in which products are defined, designed and developed".

"In many instances disorganised processes are overcome by tapping the expertise of an experienced senior engineer or project manager", Lemon said.

"Human judgment and experience certainly have their place in new product development; but manufacturers have to take steps to ensure that this knowledge is effectively captured and doesn't retire with the individual".

Studies in Japan show that an average company grew 0.23 points from a similar study conducted in 2004.

While all areas of development improved, supplier management and regulations conformance showed the largest improvement.

This is a representation of the efforts to conform to new energy and eco-friendly regulations as well as managing suppliers to establish higher quality.

There is also a trend to have less rules and process definition in the early phases of new product development.

Product planning and concept design rely more on individual effort than downstream processes such as detail design and evaluation.

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