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Product
Requirements
Links for further reading:
Process Overview
Step 2 - Requirements.
Step 3 - Information.
Step 4 - Design.
Step 5 - Prototypes.
Step 6 - Production.
Process Notes
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Step 2 - Defining Product Requirements:
After the "Bright Idea", the next step is to start a list of product attributes, requirements and goals.
Here is a list of things to consider. While not all apply to every product, each should be considered.
Note: A definitive requirements list is not necessary at the start because it will be refined
as the development process continues.
Considerations for Product Definition:
- What are the customer requirements? Consider life span, product function, strength, rigidity, flexibility,
product look, feel and performance. Consider complementary products and how their changes will effect the
product. A widget made for use in a car for instance may not work in all cars and its usefulness may
diminish with the next model year.
- How much will the product cost? It is important to know how much a customer will pay for the product because
that defines the amount is available to make it. Typically, a product on a store shelf is made for 1/4 to 1/6
of the price you pay because of the mark-up and margins required by all the people that handle it. Additionally,
when making the requirements list, there should be a specific cost goal -- like less than $5 -- it is not enough to
say "make it as cheap as possible." The specific goal is the input needed. (The goal may change with
additional input, but it needs to remain specific.)
- How many widgets are expected to be sold, and in what time frame? The quantity to be sold will drastically
effect the cost of the product.
- How will the product be sold? At Walmart? Or through a distributor? In Magazines? Or
through TV advertisement? Will the product be sold whole? Or will it be assembled by the customer?
The way the product will be sold effects the price and the design in many ways.
- What is the timing required? Some products are time sensitive. A toy, for instance may need to
be on the shelf in October to sell for Christmas.
- What is the expected life of the product? Will this product sell successfully for many years?
Or will it sell like wildfire for just one season?
- How will the item be marketed? Items to consider include how it will be presented, weight, packaging,
shipping, colors, sizes, etc.
- Usability -- often forgotten -- includes how the product with interact with those who will use it.
- What is the expected use? -- and perhaps more important, what is the expected misuse or abuse?
How can the product be made to accommodate these expected problems?
- What product safety issues are involved? Are there safety concerns with misuse? How can the product
fail and what are the consequences? This is often referred to as FMEA or Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.
- Will a warranty be provided with the product? If so, what will it cover and how will it be handled?
- Will the product have social concerns like disposability or recyclability?
- Are there legal concerns like patent infringement, or liability issues?
- Some thought must also be given to manufacturing issues like cost, time, material, size, weight, complexity, where
it might be made, etc. (These issues will be addressed in depth through the design process, but a good feel for
what is expected up front is helpful.)
| The Requirements (our Speaker Example): |
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For our example of the stereo speakers, the requirements list included the following (as well as others):
- Sound quality is Most important -- the speakers must perform as good or better
than other high-end products or it wouldn't be worth the effort.
- Performance characteristics like frequency response, high and low end fall-off, flatness of the performance
curve, efficiency, power levels, etc. are used to quantify "Sound Quality".
- In addition, performance characteristics drive other requirements like stiffness, porting, etc..
- Product size, look and presentation (This requirement changed through the design process. At first
a typical rectangular box was expected, but engineering suggested something better -- and form followed function
-- to produce a unique, and smart shape.)
- Ease of construction - this requirement limited the construction processes and
therefor the design to be built with available equipment a skill.
- Complimentary product - could or should a sub-woofer be suggested?
- And many others.
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Continue to Step 3 - Gather outside information.
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