subject: Adapt and develop new products for small businesses [print this page] Most major companies take very structured and disciplined approach to developing new products. These programs are usually on the first phase of Robert Cooper's Gate (TM) or PRTM Co-Founder Michael McGrath pace of product and lead times of Excellence (TM) processes. These processes are particularly effective in filtering a wide range of new ideas or concepts in the initial product portfolio carefully monitored and adequate resources to produce programs.
The common characteristics of the processes most popular, the NPD
A) provide for an ethics committee composed of directors, resources for development programs,
2) a core team verantwoordelijk for managing the development and implementation, consisting of people from different departments,
3) the management of the guests, instead of the more important milestones in the development and
objectives 4) clearly defined and expected results for each phase requires / Management Review.
The complex consists of several stages (eg, concept, feasibility, development, testing and implementation), the management, the doors between the phases. The decisions of the assessor is trying to rule the next stage of development, program, or find at this stage or earlier concrete targets to kill in the final stage.
Large companies can benefit greatly from such processes later. But what about smaller organizations? In fact, it is always important for small businesses to be vigilant in relation to the allocation of its limited resources. Practical housing should be placed in the adaptation of the NPD process in a small company available. Some of the most important considerations are:
Before No Product Manager / limited resources for market analysis
not most small businesses, a personal manager, a product or resource products. This can influence the process in several ways. Product Manager, in general, responsible for writing / business planning, market research / market analysis, competitive analysis, pricing and research and product documentation. In a study in the journal "Small business management, market analysis and market testing of new products has been published together, the key to successful development of new products and Those areas Which small businesses particularly weak. It is therefore That these important measures justified.
In a small company is usually the standard for the product management team. This person will probably need to order a number of product management / business market analysis for others to find conduct. For example, the documentation requirements are detailed across several people who know the needs best way to distribute - these people are in areas of engineering, technical support, sales, marketing, etc.
According Low R & D projects
R & D dollar lower in a small business. Compared to large enterprises, R & D are more likely to be smaller in size, duration and / or complexity. Many of these programs can not guarantee that the performance overhead classic application of NPD. In these cases, the levels of development are combined so that fewer administrative / control gate. Stage-Gate (TM) has recognized the need and encourages the use of a truncated Xpress Lite and processes that were designed for simpler programs. Small businesses can be very resourceful in adapting the process meets their business model and specific needs, while the positive aspects of traditional practices of NPD.
Third Less clearly defined strategy
In many small businesses, the company's strategy is not available or very informal. It 'important to develop the CEO and managers, a strategy to communicate clearly to all stakeholders in the product development process. The strategy provides a framework for a coherent and rational decision making and focus limited resources on the development of society.
Small groups of fourth
Small development teams affect large groups to present a product management through the development process. Typically, a core member consists of a functional area. However, teams have less, if the combination of different functional areas (eg, engineering and testing). The limited staff of small businesses that need more events like a team of product management.
One of the advantages of small channels of communication better. It is generally less communication barriers between departments in a small company and offer more opportunities for management in collaboration with the developers to stay. In a small software company, for example, all employees of the programming would be suitable invited to participate in management reviews. The effects of communication in decisions about the organization, which led to Greater buy-in and confidence in product direction and development priorities.
Adapt and develop new products for small businesses
