266 Fuzzy front-end studies: current state and future directions for new product development

Abstract

Abstract266 fuzzy front-end (FFE) studies in the new product development (NPD) sector were examined. The studies were selected using a bibliometrics method, and chronologically and statistically examined with ten criteria divided into two dimensions. The first dimension is associated with overall attributes of the FFE, consisting of six criteria: the study taxonomy, model type, NPD speed, NPD attributes, model characteristic, and model structure. The second dimension is relevant to the FFE performance structure related to process parameters, comprised of four criteria: the FFE task, activity, performance method, and toolkit. In terms of those two dimensions, the paper looks at previous FFE studies to gain an understanding of features of each FFE study along with related knowledge and theories, as well as identification of evolution trends of FFE studies. Based on the identification, an FFE model development strategy for each criterion is formulated, and this paper proposes possible options for executing those strategies which exert influence on the form of the cluster network. The intention is for the database to be utilised as an overview of all existing FFE studies and allow specific FFE studies to be selected to examine FFE approaches.This paper provides FFE model development guidance on how to deal with the overall attributes and outcomes of the FFE which affect the entirety of the innovation process, and how to manage the performance structure related to process parameters.

Research methods in engineering design: a synthesis of recent studies using a systematic literature review

“…Probably due to the youth of engineering design as a research discipline, the number of papers devoted to literature reviews in these fields is still sparse. From the few reviews found, most refer to particular aspects of engineering design: such as inspiration and fixation (Crilly 2019); sustainability (Coskun et al 2015); user value (Boztepe 2007); Alzheimer and play experience (Anderiesen et al 2015); performance in industrial design (Candi and Gemser 2010); relation between creativity, functionality, and aesthetics (Han et al 2021); fuzzy front-ends for product development (Park et al 2021); surrogate models and computational complexity (Alizadeh et al 2020); smart design (Pessôa and Becker 2020); design and poverty (Jagtap 2019); mass customization (Ferguson et al 2014); product stigma (Schröppel et al 2021); uncertainty (Han et al 2020); decision-making methods (Renzi et al 2017); modular product design (Bonvoisin et al 2016); or product-service systems (Vasantha et al 2012).…”

The use of recommended interviewing practices by novice engineering designers to elicit information during requirements development

“…Activities associated with front-end design phases, including problem definition, requirements and specifications development, and concept generation, are often described as ambiguous and ill-defined (Cooper 1988;Sanders & Stappers 2008;Park, Han & Childs 2021). Front-end design involves developing a deep understanding of the problem, which is accomplished through iteration of both the problem definition and potential solutions, defined as problem-solution co-evolution (Murphy & Kumar 1997;Dorst & Cross 2001;Dorst 2019).…”

“…During frontend design, the iterative nature of problems and solutions is evident through evolving product requirements, which define the design problem and focus designers' efforts. Research has tied many product failures to errors made during front-end design phases that could not be cost-effectively resolved during later design phases (Cooper 1988;Park et al 2021). Studies have also shown that the success of new products depends in part upon how well designers execute frontend design activities during product development (Khurana & Rosenthal 1998;Markham 2013).…”

“…A key component of front-end design that impacts product success is the elicitation and development of product requirements (Cooper & Kleinschmidt 1987; Hein, Voris & Morkos 2018; Park et al 2021). Product requirements are any function, constraint, or other property required for a designed artefact to meet the needs or wants of stakeholders (Pahl & Beitz 2007; Dieter & Schmidt 2021). These requirements are then translated into engineering specifications that are both quantifiable and measurable in order to guide engineers’ solution development processes.…”

Decision Method Focused on the Fuzzy Front-End Phase: A Study Applied to the Development of an Electronic Starting Block for Running Athletes

“…Park, Han, and Childs [9] revealed a broad review of specific studies on FFE that define the attributes and the structure of the performance related to the tasks, activities, and tools employed. The authors state six main FFE activities: opportunity identification, idea generation, requirements list, project mission definition, conceptual design, and prototyping tasks.…”