The Stages of Product Engineering
Delving into the complex process behind new product design may seem daunting to anyone without prior experience. However, despite the process’s many complexities, it is relatively straightforward to understand. The benefits of learning are vast, especially if you intend to develop your own product.
Many different product development services exist, but the types of products and specific processes they specialize in do not always match what prospective customers are seeking. Read on to learn more about the key stages of product engineering and what to look for in a development service for your own product.
Research, Brainstorming, and Concept Development
This stage of the product engineering process centers on discovery and analysis.
First, target users are defined and their assumed interests are described in as much detail as is possible.1 Once this has been done, interviews are hosted to help determine if any previous assumptions are inaccurate.
To aid in your initial investigation of necessary product features, you should start with your primary competition’s offerings. Figure out what it is their products are failing at and how they can be improved. A reputable product development service can help you do this, and more, as your product idea is defined.
Prototype Testing
Crafting and improving your product’s prototypes takes time and must be done carefully before products are pushed into production.
All products run the same course during development—they begin as vague ideas and gradually solidify into usable creations. Prototypes help make this possible by providing test groups and researchers with a usable product that can be refined or redesigned as needed.2
If an internal committee or a board of directors will be involved in the product development process within your own company, then it is important to present both low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes when appropriate.
Preliminary Manufacturing
Manufacturing services can provide you with limited production runs to test your completed product’s sales before committing to larger-scale production. The key benefit of keeping preliminary manufacturing runs small is the flexibility it allows you.
Although most of the design process should be complete by this point, small design enhancements can still be made without having to move a large amount of unimproved product. This helps in keeping costs low as your product continues to mature.
Finalized Product
Once your product has been tested by end-users and proven to perform well in initial production runs, it can be finalized and placed in full production.
Although this final part of your product’s design marks the end of its journey from conceptualization to creation, the insights gained throughout the previous stages of its development should help you bring more products to life later on.
For more information on product engineering, have a look at the service offerings at Laszeray Technology, LLC. We can help simplify the product design and development process for you considerably, with in-house tooling for prototypes, custom injection molding options, and more.
Sources:
