The Characteristics of a New Product through User Knowledge in the Early Stages of a Design Process

Abstract

User knowledge has become a performance indicator that determines the success of a business. It provides a valuable source of information for product developer to develop the specification and characteristics of a new product. Various methods have been studied to extract and integrate the user knowledge during the early stage of a design process. This paper focuses the relation between the success of a product and the product specification. Interviews with product designers were conducted. The results of this study provide a foundation for product developers to specify the product characteristics. The strategies, information and knowledge for a structured approach to product characteristics can then be developed.

User Specifications for Successful New Product: A case study in car design

“…The user perspective is a personal point of view. It becomes information and can help the product designer to generate new product feature, and an effective in finding a solution to a complex problem (Kujala, 2003;Ottosson, 2006;Taha, et al, 2013;. To some extent, the ability of product developer to extract and integrate user knowledge during the development of a product design process is considered as a good design strategy, could be one of a company's competencies, could provide considerable to innovative idea, and could offer more opportunities and producing the success of a new product.…”

“…Consequently, the users have become the resources for bringing new technology, market information and supporting the development capabilities of the manufacturer and facilitate the product developers to generate more ideas and create a new outlook of product quality. According to Awa (2010); Taha, et al, (2013); Alli (2018), understanding the user can increase the productivity, quality of work and minimize support, operating cost, and improved user satisfaction. Indeed, the user is necessary to identify are and establish the new product characteristics that meet their requirements.…”

“…Latterly, a new product plays an important role to enhance the business value of a company. The introduction of new products has increased dramatically as the industry becomes more responsive to the importance of the new product to business competitiveness (Bhuiyan, 2011;Taha, et al, 2013;. However, the nonacceptance of a new product in the market continues to become a major concern for many product developers.…”

“…Many factors were influenced for better product outcome and its success in the market. Several researchers have revealed that the implementation of a new strategy for a new product in the industry encountered difficulties in facilitating product positioning in the market (Kristensson, et al, 2007;Awa, 2010;Taha, et al, 2013;. The strategies are mostly required in the early stage of the product development process to enhance the quality of the product, meet the user satisfaction and increase the probability of its success.…”

“…The initial stage of the development process is called the product definition stage. It is crucial step in the design process through which the particulars gained from the market information and useful knowledge such as their want, need and requirement is translated into product specifications (Taha, et al, 2013;Alli, 2014;. The concept of the product definition stage implies the activities from the mission statement to the development plan.…”