Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES IN SMALL AND MIDDLE-SIZED ENTERPRISES - IDENTIFICATION AND ELIMINATION OF INEFFICIENCY CAUSED BY PRODUCT VARIETY
Eben, Katharina G. M.; Helten, Katharina; Lindemann, Udo
Type:
Year:
2011
Editor:
Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Clarkson, P.J.
Author:
Series:
ICED
Section:
Design Processes
Page(s):
101-112
Abstract:
Competiveness of small and middle-sized enterprises (SME) represents recognizing customer needs and being able to efficiently react to it. As SMEs face a limitation of their resources, it is crucial to monitor the strategy of product variety management and the interplay of project work and day-to-day business. This paper aims to achieve the former by identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in product development processes. Thus, a procedure is introduced to reduce development effort by successfully handling the necessary product variety. Further goals are to avoid sources of inefficiency – to improve the interplay between development process and everyday work – and to gain consciousness about how the processes are lived within the enterprise and how product variety impacts on the day-to-day-business.
Keywords:
