Product Development Process
It is essential that a rigorous product development procedure be followed in order to prioritize opportunities and to optimize the R&D investment. The one chosen by EWI is the Stage-Gate® process developed by Robert Cooper.http://prod-dev.com
- Stage-Gate® is a template or road map for driving new product projects from idea to launch and beyond. It is now one of the most widely used, new product development processes.
- New product development begins with an idea and ends with the launch of a new product. The steps between these points can be viewed as a systematic process. Stage-Gate® divides this process into a series of stages. Each of these contains a set of prescribed and concurrent activities, incorporating best industry practices. Activities in a stage, such as technical potential, market potential and economics are conducted in parallel, not in sequence. This ensures they are carried out quickly and efficiently, which is critical considering the importance of time-to-markets.
For example, the stages that EWI will use with auto shredder residue is as follows:
- Stage 1 is a web and literature based study to get a basic understanding of the market and economic drivers for specific industries and their waste issues. A basic technical concept is then formulated.
- Stage 2 requires discussion of the concept with potential clients and investors, government and other stakeholders to build a business case and prepare proposals. Basic material testing may take place.
- Stage 3 involves the design and development of a test facility or pilot plant, once all parties are in agreement on direction and content. A full-scale business plan is prepared, if the test results are deemed successful and positive market and financial analyses have been received.
- Stages 4 & 5 proceed once a decision to commercialize has been taken.
Between each `Stage' is a `Gate', where senior management decide whether to proceed, or not, to the next stage.
The Stage-Gate® approach was applied to the development of the current MD-1000. The original prototype was the M 100 Medical Waste Processor which, shown below, represented Stage 3 of the product development. The lessons learned were used to develop the current commercial model in Stages 4 & 5.
|
