8. Determine the steps for product analysis and synthesis

Monday 10 February 2014

8. Determine the steps for product analysis and synthesis


Product Analysis

Every product is designed in a particular way - product analysis enables us to understand the important materials, processing, economic and aesthetic decisions which are required before any product can be manufactured. An understanding of these decisions can help us in designing and making for ourselves.


Product analysis can take different forms but in general it means asking questions about a product and forming answers. It can mean experts analyzing a product or members of the general public or potential customers/groups of people. Product analysis can take place at almost any stage of the design process.

Product analysis can be carried out by:
1.An individual product being analyzed.
2.Alternatively a number of similar products can be compared with each other using the same criteria.

THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCT ANALYSIS

A product may need analysing by a potential customer to help him/her decide whether it is worth buying.

A product may need analysing so that the design can be improved.

Sometimes a prototype or model may be analysed. In this way improvements can be made before the full sized, costly product is manufactured.

CRITERIA OF PRODUCT ANALYSIS
When analysing a product, first prepare a list of questions, this is known as Criteria. For example, the criteria listed below could apply to a mobile phone when it is being analysed.

• ERGONOMICS

Is the mobile the right size (height, length and width)? Will this make it uncomfortable for the customer?

These things need to be considered while analyzing the product in ergonomic point of view.

• COST

How much will it cost to manufacture the product and how much will it sell for in the shops?

• AESTHETICS

Does the product look good? Is it stylish?

• CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

Is the product what the customer wants? What changes are required to make the product suitable for the client/customer? Does the customer like the product?

• HEALTH AND SAFETY

Is the product safe? Does it fulfill Health and Safety Laws?

Product analysis can seem to follow a fixed pattern:
   1. Think about the design from an ergonomic and functional viewpoint.
   2. Decide on the materials to fulfill the performance requirements.
   3. Choose a suitable process that is also economic.

Product Synthesis

The process of developing the product for satisfying the design concepts and requirements is known as Product Synthesis. Five steps in the Product Synthesis is given as below

1.Idea Generation
• brainstorming - thinking about it
• creating a new product based on some observed need
• thinking of a new product based on some accident or chance circumstance

2. Screening
• getting opinions from
       o employees
       o potential customers
       o media
       o government
• what are the weaknesses of existing products that are similar
• is there any competition for a new product
• What are the industry sales and market trends the product idea is based on

3. Idea Evaluation / Concept Development

• estimate costs, revenue, profit,
• do market research
• target market segmentation
        o describe the main group of people who will be the first customers
         

4. Development of Product / Business Analysis

• physically design and manufacture the product
• estimate likely selling price based upon competition and customer feedback
• estimate sales volume based upon size of market
• produce a physical prototype or mock-up
• test the product (and its packaging) in typical usage situations

5. Commercialization

• "make enough to sell"
      o manufacture a large amount to send out to the stores that will stock the items so enough
         inventory on hand for the public to buy
         
• launch "promotion campaign"


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