| Tools and Methods for Design Optimization |
| Customer needs / Voice of the customer |
Customer Surveys and Interviews
Discovering Customer Needs—Four Key Questions
Basic Methods to Get Feedback from Customers
Customer-Focused Creativity
The “One Right Way” to Gather the Voice of the Customer
The Customer as Creator: A Step Beyond the Voice of the Customer
Fear of the Customer
Voice of the Customer Analysis
Discovering Opportunities and Threats in a Market
Using Innovation to Address Unmet Customer Needs
VOC Advances: New Paths to Understanding Customers
VOC Advances: Complementary Innovation for Growth
VOC Advances: Helping Make Better Design Decisions
Five Keys to Engaging the Customer to Produce Real Innovation |
| Virtual customer |
The Virtual Customer
Virtual Customer Site
The Virtual Customer
Better Products Through Virtual Customer |
| Lead users |
Lead Users – Creating Breakthrough Innovations at 3M
Lead Users
Lead Users: An Important Source of Novel Product Concepts
Lead User Analysis for the Development of New Industrial Products
Developing New Product Concepts Via the Lead User Method |
| Focus groups |
Focus Group (Wikipedia)
The Use and Misuse of Focus Groups
Using Focus Groups for Evaluation
Basics of Conducting Focus Groups
Concept Testing in Focus Groups
The Art of Panels |
| Customer interviews |
General Guidelines for Conducting Interviews
User / Customer Interviews
Contextual Inquiry |
| Market research |
Introduction to Market Research
Qualitative and Quantitative Techniques
Secondary vs. Primary Market Research
Using Research in Defining New Products
Some Major Sources of Market Research Information
Market Structure Analysis (segmentation)
Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Perceptual Mapping
Market Segmentation |
| Ethnography /ethnographic studies |
Designing Products Based on Real Life
The Human Touch
How “Applied Ethnography” Can Improve Your NPD Research Process
User Profiles (Personas)
Direct Observation
How to Turn End User Understanding into Innovation
Ethnography in the Field of Design |
| Contextual analysis / empathic design |
Contextual Analysis
Empathic Design
Spark Innovation Through Empathic Design
How to Turn End User Understanding into Innovation
Empathic Design: Innovation & Observation I
Empathic Design: Innovation & Observation II |
| Participatory / cooperative design |
Cooperative Design
What is Participatory Design?
What is a Participatory Design Workshop?
Personas, Participatory Design and Product Development
Participatory Design |
| Affinity Diagram |
Affinity Diagrams: Organizing Ideas Into Common Themes
Affinity Diagrams |
| Conjoint analysis |
Understanding Conjoint Analysis in 15 Minutes
Conjoint Analysis 101
Conjoint Analysis
Conjoint Analysis (Dobney)
Conjoint Analysis Design
Conjoint Analysis (Ajjan)
Concept of Conjoint Analysis
Conjoint Analysis Technical Papers |
| Quality function deployment (QFD) |
Step-by-Step Guide to QFD
Quality Function Deployment Case Study
QFD for Technology Development Planning
Quality Function Deployment Example (Refrigerator)
Quality Function Deployment Example (Computer Server)
Quality Function Deployment Software
Quality Function Deployment: What, Why and How
Quality Function Deployment Papers
9 House of Quality Checks
After QFD: Now What?
Quality Function Deployment Example
Introduction to QFD
QFD – House of Quality
The History of QFD
QFD Software and Matrix Examples
QFD for Software Requirements Engineering |
| Brainstorming |
Brainstorming (Mind Tools)
Steps in the Brainstorming Process
Brainstorming
The Complete Guide to Managing Traditional Brainstorming Events |
| Creativity and problem solving methods |
Creativity Techniques: A to Z
Overview of Creative Methods
Cultivating Innovation Articles
Using MindMapsTM with TRIZ
Creativity and Innovation in R&D
Harvesting Profits in the Idea Garden
Assumptions Can Be Major Barriers
Ten Tips for Beefing Up Your Problem Solving Toolbox
Creativity Articles (Brill)
Making the Innovation Magic Happen
Creativity
Generating New Ideas
Engineering Problem Solving
Creativity, Innovation and Problem Solving
Concept Development
Creative Thinking Techniques, Exercises, Articles & Interviews
Creativity Tools
Lateral Thinking
Six Thinking Hats
Select an Innovation Approach for Problem Solving
Five Steps of the Heuristic Redefinition Process (HRP)
TILMAG’s Five Steps for Solving Innovative Problems |
| Theory of inventive problem solving (TIPS/TRIZ) |
What is TRIZ
Introduction to TRIZ
TRIZ Journal Archive of Articles
TRIZ Mind Map
Invention on Demand |
| Axiomatic design |
General Axiomatic Design Concepts
Building Better Vehicles via Axiomatic Design
Critical Thinking
Axiomatic Design – Suh’s Methodology
Axiomatic Design of Software
A Comparison of TRIZ and Axiomatic Design
Axiomatic Design and TRIZ: Compatibilities and Contradictions |
| Prototypes |
Using Conceptual Modelers for Business Advantage (April 2001)
Imagining Faster
The Role of Appearance Models and Mockups
Visual Models
Sketch Models
Let Prototyping Drive Your Product Development Process |
| Concept evaluation and selection |
Concept Screening
Some Rules Of Engineering Design
Concept Development: The Front End Process
Morphological charts |
| Decision-making / Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) |
Analytical Hierarchy Process
Analytical Hierarchy Process in Brief
Analytical Hierarchy Process – Getting Oriented
Six Hats Thinking and Decision-Making
Six Hats Thinking |
| Design for manufacturability/assembly (DFM/A) |
Design for Assembly Guidelines
Detailed DFM Guidelines
Effective Implementation of DFM
3D Product & Manufacturing Information Implications for Design for Manufacturing
Impact of Design for Manufacturability on Product Costs and Performance
DFA Software
Evaluation of Instrument Panel Design
Designing to reduce inventory costs
A New Approach to Design and Manufacturing Collaboration
DFM/A Evaluation Tool |
| DFMA guidelines and rules |
Detailed DFM Guidelines – Injection Molding, Sheetmetal, Machining, Hot Forming, PCB’s, etc.
Example of Sheetmetal Guidelines
The Dangers of Part Consolidation
DFM/A Guidelines |
| Manufacturing processes / process selection |
Manufacturing Processes (BYU)
Manufacturing Processes
Manufacturing Processes
Product Design and Process Selection
WiseProM – WIzard for SElecting PROcess and Material |
| Standardization, modularity & design re-use |
Product Programs, Variants and Modularization
Modularity
Modularity as a Means to Product and Process Integration
Modularity: A Key Concept in Product Lifecycle Engineering
Overview of Modular Product Development
Proceedings from the 2nd Seminar on Development of Modular Products |
| Mass customization |
Mass Customization, the Proactive Management of Variety
Achieving Success with Mass Customization
Product Line Rationalization: A Prerequisite to Mass Customization
Mass customisation
Flexibility
Made Your Way |
| Mistake-proofing/poka-yoke |
Poka-Yoke: A Misunderstood Concept
Mistake-Proofing (Poka Yoke) Resource Center
Poka Yoke or Mistake Proofing Overview
Operational Excellence-Mistake Proofing
Error-Proof Assembly Part I: Manual Assembly
Applying Poka-Yoke Technique for Process Improvement Projects
What You Need to Know about Mistake-Proofing (Poka Yoke) |
| Design to cost (DTC) |
Design for Cost
Designing for Cost
Should Costing
Designing for Low Overhead Costs
Implementation of a Design to Profit System
Costing Designs |
| Target costing |
Target Costing Tools and Examples
Target Costing Software
Cheapness: the Mother of Invention
Save Me From Target Costing
Target Costing
Setting Supplier Cost Targets
Target Costing Best Practices
Target Cost Implementation Guide
Target Costing
The Target Costing Bull’s Eye
Target Costing Implementation
Best Practices in Target Costing |
| Product/life cycle cost models |
Parametric Cost Estimating Handbook
Hardware Cost Modeling
DFM Software Reduces Time to Calculate Costs
Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Total Cost of Ownership Modeling for Electronics |
| Cost tables |
Cost Tables |
| Parametric cost estimating / Cost estimating relationships |
Parametric Cost Analysis
Parametric Costing Case Study
Definition of Parametric Cost Estimating
Parametric Analysis |
| Cost reduction |
Cost Saving Ideas Using Purchasing Information |
| Value analysis/function analysis (VA/FA) |
Value Analysis/Value Engineering: The Forgotten Lean Technique
Improving Product Development with Value Analysis/Value Engineering
Value Analysis
Function Analysis
Value Engineering
Function Cost Analysis
Increasing Product Innovation Effectiveness Through QFD And Value Engineering
The Human Side of Value Engineering |
| Function analysis system technique (FAST) |
Function Analysis and Decomposistion using Function Analysis Systems Technique |
| Tear-down analysis |
The Teardown Artist
Squeezing More Ideas from Product Teardowns
Product Teardown |
| Activity-based costing/activity-based management (ABC/ABM) |
Introduction to Activity-Based Costing
Activity-Based Costing |
| Design for six sigma (DFSS) |
Design For Six Sigma Roadmap
Building Quality into Design Engineering
Six Sigma and the Evolution of Quality in Product Development
Designing for Six Sigma Capability
Six Sigma Helps Create GE’s Latest Dishwasher |
| Advanced product quality planning (APQP) |
Advance Quality Planning |
| Robust design |
Introduction to Robust Design
Robust Design
Comparing Three Approaches to Robust Design
Robust Design: An Experiment-based Approach to Design for Reliability |
| Design of experiments (DOE) |
Design of Experiments Links (ASQ)
Design of Experiments/Taguchi Approach
DOE Case Study-Bearing Design
Design of experiments (DOE)
Response Surface Methods for Process Optimization |
| Taguchi methods (TM) |
Quantifying Variability Using Contributions from Taguchi
Taguchi Methods: Robust Design, Design of Experiments
Taguchi Loss Function |
| Variability reduction (VR) |
Reducing Variation During Design
Variation |
| Process capability |
Process Validation Guidance
Methods and Tools for Process Validation
Process Capability
Process Capability
Optimize Existing Processes to Achieve Six Sigma Capability
Statistical Process Control – Control Charts |
| Tolerance design / Tolerance analysis |
Worst-Case Versus Statistical Tolerancing
A Comprehensive System for Computer-Aided Tolerance Analysis
Computer-Aided Tolerancing Systems Site Papers
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
Dimensional Management
Tolerance Analysis |
| Control Plans |
Control Plan Software |
| Design for reliability |
A Brief Introduction to Reliability
Defining & Achieving the Reliability Culture
Designing for the Life Cycle
Reliability and Maintainability Engineering Program
Reliability Assurance
Design for Reliability
Reliability Technical Library
Blueprint for Implementing A Comprehensive Reliability Engineering Program
Reliability Growth Reference Book
System Analysis Reference Book – Reliability, Availability and Optimization
Reliability Engineering
What is Reliability Growth
Early Reliability Testing
Fundamentals of Climatic Testing
HALT vs. ALT: When to Use Which Technique
Reliability Integration Across the Product Lifecycle
Design for Warranty Cost Reduction |
| Failure Analysis / Root Cause Analysis |
The Process of Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis (FA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
The Value of Failure Analysis
Cost Payback for Failure Analysis
Understanding the When, Where & Why of Failures
Failure Analysis 101: Finding the Root Cause in Electronics Manufacturing |
| Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) |
FMEA Software
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis
FMEA Information Center
Severity, Occurrence, and Detection Criteria for Design FMEA
History of FMEA
FMEA Definitions
Successful Product Launch – Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
FMEA Software
FMEA and FMECA |
| Anticipatory failure determination (AFD) |
The Experience of Anticipatory Failure Determination (AFD) Method Applied to an Engine Concern |
| Failure reporting & corrective action system (FRACAS) |
Failure Reporting, Analysis & Corrective Action System
Failure Reporting & Corrective Action System
Problem Reporting and Corrective Action System
Heading Off Premature Failure |
| Fault tree analysis |
What is Fault Tree Analysis
Fault Trees And Reliability Block Diagrams |
| Reliability prediction |
What is Reliability Prediction?
Reliability Prediction Models
Reliability Predictions
Reliability Modeling
Reliability Predictions: Parts Count, Part Stress, Pseudo Stress and Dormant
Better Reliability Predictions Using Experience Data
Assessing Product Reliability |
| Highly accelerated life testing/stress screening (ALT, HALT, HASS) |
Accelerated Life Testing Reference
Quantitative Accelerated Life Testing Data Analysis
Accelerated Life Testing…Why?
What is Accelerated Life Testing
Types of Accelerated Tests |
| Human factors and ergonomics |
Usernomics
Introduction to Usability |
| Design for Maintainability/Serviceability |
Design for Supportability |
| Product Support Planning and Development |
|
| Design for safety / Hazard analysis |
Hazard Analysis in Engineering Design
Approaches to Safety Engineering
Safety Engineering |
| Design for the environment (DFE)/sustainability |
Design for the Environment – Life Cycle Analysis
Life Cycle Analysis and Design
Introduction to Green Design
Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment Case Study of a Business Telephone
Environmental Activities in Product Development at Samsung
Samsung Green Management System
Design For Environment (DFE)
DFE – Product Design and Optimisation
DFE – Materials and Recycling
HP Design for the Environment Guidelines
GDRC Design for Environment Guidelines
Bombardier Design for Environment Guidelines
An Introduction to Design for Environment |
| Design for testability (DFT) |
Design for Testability
Decreasing the Cost of Test with Automatic Test Pattern Generation
DILDIS Design for Testability
Design for Testability-Full Scan
VLSI Testing and Design for Testability Research
Designing for Testability
Design for Testability and Scan
Design for Testability Technique for RTL Circuits
System Design for Test Papers |
| Design for Testability – Software |
Design for Testability-Software
Design-for-Testability for Object-Oriented Software
Design for Testability, Agile Testing, and Testing Processes
Software Design and Testability
Design for Testability |