Product Development Process (PDP)
Product Development Cycle
The product development cycle for electronics products is a complex and iterative process that involves a number of stages. The first stage is initial product scoping, where the product requirements are defined and the overall product architecture is developed. This stage is followed by proof of concept prototyping, where a working prototype of the product is built to demonstrate the feasibility of the design.
Once the prototype is successful, the next stage is product development, where the product is fully designed and engineered. This stage includes the development of the printed circuit board (PCB), the selection of components, and the creation of the manufacturing process.
After the product is designed, it is tested to ensure that it meets all of the requirements. This testing includes functional testing, environmental testing, and safety testing. Once the product has passed all of the tests, it is ready for manufacturing.
The final stage of the product development cycle is early field product failure analysis. This stage involves collecting data on early product failures to identify any design or manufacturing issues. This information is then used to improve the product for future iterations.
The product development cycle is an iterative process, meaning that it is repeated for each new product cycle. The goal of each iteration is to improve the product and make it more successful.
Additional details about each stage of the product development cycle for electronics products:
Initial product scoping: This stage involves defining the product requirements and developing the overall product architecture. The product requirements should be clear, concise, and measurable. The product architecture should define the high-level components of the product and how they interact.
Proof of concept prototyping: This stage involves building a working prototype of the product to demonstrate the feasibility of the design. The prototype should be functional and should meet the product requirements.
Product development: This stage involves fully designing and engineering the product. This includes the development of the PCB, the selection of components, and the creation of the manufacturing process. The product design should be manufacturable and should meet all of the product requirements.
Product testing: This stage involves testing the product to ensure that it meets all of the requirements. This testing includes functional testing, environmental testing, and safety testing. The functional testing ensures that the product works as expected. The environmental testing ensures that the product can withstand the conditions it will be exposed to in the field. The safety testing ensures that the product is safe to use.
Manufacturing: This stage involves manufacturing the product according to the design specifications. The manufacturing process should be efficient and should produce high-quality products.
Early field product failure analysis (EFFA): This stage involves collecting data on early product failures to identify any design or manufacturing issues. This information is then used to improve the product for future iterations.
In Practice
Each company has its own product develop process (PDP), however the main development cycles are the same but with different test standards, schedules, and release process.
Summary
The product development cycle is a complex and iterative process, but it is essential for the success of any electronics product. By following the steps outlined above, you can increase your chances of developing a successful product.