TABLE OF CONTENTS To be successful, the portable electronic designer must view the product design process as a part of a broader process of product development. While the insights and creativity of the individual designer are critical in creating a successful product, the designer must be prepared to engage through every phase of product development if the product is to maintain its intended characteristics. The successful product designer will be skillful at shepherding the product through the entire product development process.
The development of new technology-based products is a complex process and involves multiple disciplines. Product design, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, and procurement organizations all have a role in the development of a new product. As such, the design of a portable electronic device is only a part of the overall product development process. The portable electronics designer should understand the role of product design in product development. The phases of a typical product development process are shown in Fig. 1.1.
This view of product development was formulated to allow outside consultants to communicate with managers of large corporations. The phases shown here roughly correspond to the functional divisions that exist within a large corporation. Smaller companies may find this formalism too constraining. Regardless, it is important that the product designer understand all the conceptual phases of product development, since the latter phases are impacted by the product design.
Product planning is the process of evaluating the feasibility,...
